The Domain of Constant Excess: Plural Worship at the Munnesvaram Temples in Sri LankaThe Sri Lankan ethnic conflict that has occurred largely between Sinhala Buddhists and Tamil Hindus is marked by a degree of religious tolerance that sees both communities worshiping together. This study describes one important site of such worship, the ancient Hindu temple complex of Munnesvaram. Standing adjacent to one of Sri Lanka's historical western ports, the fortunes of the Munnesvaram temples have waxed and waned through the years of turbulence, violence and social change that have been the country's lot since the advent of European colonialism in the Indian Ocean. Bastin recounts the story of these temples and analyses how the Hindu temple is reproduced as a center of worship amidst conflict and competition. |
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Page xii
Of my examiners I single out Chris Fuller for revealing one side of academic life and express my thanks to Tony Good and especially to Stanley Tambiah. The task of turning the thesis into a book began during my time ...
Of my examiners I single out Chris Fuller for revealing one side of academic life and express my thanks to Tony Good and especially to Stanley Tambiah. The task of turning the thesis into a book began during my time ...
Page 7
Shaped in the circumstances of colonialism and postcolonial political economy, this relation powerfully informs contemporary ethnic tensions and thus reveals certain Sri Lankan particularities. However, I suggest – 7– Worship, ...
Shaped in the circumstances of colonialism and postcolonial political economy, this relation powerfully informs contemporary ethnic tensions and thus reveals certain Sri Lankan particularities. However, I suggest – 7– Worship, ...
Page 8
and thus reveals certain Sri Lankan particularities. However, I suggest that forms of mediation between landed wealth and trade are central to the role of the south Indian temple in both society and history more generally.
and thus reveals certain Sri Lankan particularities. However, I suggest that forms of mediation between landed wealth and trade are central to the role of the south Indian temple in both society and history more generally.
Page 11
Comparative discussion of the myths reveals important characteristics of Munnesvaram in the sacred geography of the island, both Tamil Saivite and Sinhala Buddhist. It also reveals the close association that the Munnesvaram priests ...
Comparative discussion of the myths reveals important characteristics of Munnesvaram in the sacred geography of the island, both Tamil Saivite and Sinhala Buddhist. It also reveals the close association that the Munnesvaram priests ...
Page 12
The pre-festival events in the village form the basis of the broader festival and reveal themes that the festival unfolds. Then I move to the festival proper, and in Chapters 9 and 10 offer a description of the festival events starting ...
The pre-festival events in the village form the basis of the broader festival and reveal themes that the festival unfolds. Then I move to the festival proper, and in Chapters 9 and 10 offer a description of the festival events starting ...
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Contents
| 1 | |
| 15 | |
Chapter 3 Myths and Marginality | 43 |
Chapter 4 Ritual Practices and Religious Identity | 59 |
Chapter 5 The Saivite Temple as a Monumental Architecture | 89 |
Puja and Arccanai | 117 |
Chapter 7 The Presence of Sakti | 133 |
Chapter 8 Guardians Games and the Formation of Power | 145 |
Chapter 9 The World Inside Out | 163 |
Chapter 10 The Domain of Excess | 183 |
Divine Kings and Regal Gods Temples in Society and History | 195 |
References | 213 |
Index | 227 |
Other editions - View all
The Domain of Constant Excess: Plural Worship at the Munnesvaram Temples in ... Rohan Bastin No preview available - 2002 |
Common terms and phrases
according action active aesthetic Ambal annual associated attend bathing becomes Bhadrakali temple body Brahmins called caste central century Chapter Chilaw closely coconut complex condition deities demonic described developed devotees discussion divine especially ethnic example existence expression festival Figure flag front goddess ground guardian hall Hindu human important Indian inside involves Jaffna Kali Kataragama king lamp land marked meaning movement Munnesvaram temple myth nature Navaratri noted Obeyesekere offerings origin Pattini pattuva performed Pillaiyar popular possibility potency potentiality practice presence priests procession puja regard region relation religious remains reveals rite ritual Saivite temple sense shrine simply Sinh Sinhala Buddhist Sinhalese situation Siva social sorcery space specific Sri Lanka statue stress symbolic takes Tamil Saivite temple’s theme traditions tree village worship
Bibliographic information
| Title | The Domain of Constant Excess: Plural Worship at the Munnesvaram Temples in Sri Lanka |
| Author | Rohan Bastin |
| Publisher | Berghahn Books, 2002 |
| ISBN | 1789203678, 9781789203677 |
| Length | 254 pages |
| Subjects | › › Religion / General Social Science / Anthropology / General |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |