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 4
... and Obeyesekere 1988) and thereby link it to processes of social transformation, specifically urbanisation, my interpretation is concerned with how a temple complex like Munnesvaram enables shifting forms of worship to take place.
... and Obeyesekere 1988) and thereby link it to processes of social transformation, specifically urbanisation, my interpretation is concerned with how a temple complex like Munnesvaram enables shifting forms of worship to take place.
Page 6
In the broad approach I take to the aesthetic of Munnesvaram as both form and practice, I include as central to my argument the place of Munnesvaram in Sri Lankan history, politics and cultural heritage. The contemporary Munnesvaram ...
In the broad approach I take to the aesthetic of Munnesvaram as both form and practice, I include as central to my argument the place of Munnesvaram in Sri Lankan history, politics and cultural heritage. The contemporary Munnesvaram ...
Page 8
Instead, the sacred is to be considered as the setting-apart, or process of becoming sacred, which can take the form of re-origination and the irruption into existence of a powerful assemblage of forces that are not not-profane.
Instead, the sacred is to be considered as the setting-apart, or process of becoming sacred, which can take the form of re-origination and the irruption into existence of a powerful assemblage of forces that are not not-profane.
Page 15
... the eleventh century when coins were minted at the Munnesvaram temple (Codrington 1916). The Tamil name for Chilaw, Salabamapura stems from 'salabam' ('Pearl Fishery'). However, in Sinhala, salabam takes the meaning of anklet.
... the eleventh century when coins were minted at the Munnesvaram temple (Codrington 1916). The Tamil name for Chilaw, Salabamapura stems from 'salabam' ('Pearl Fishery'). However, in Sinhala, salabam takes the meaning of anklet.
Page 18
The last and most famous of these was Prince Taniyavala Bahu whose fame stemmed from a victory over Kadiyarana ('the Muslim pirate') who attempted to take over Chilaw in the late fifteenth century (Rajavaliya 1954: 62).
The last and most famous of these was Prince Taniyavala Bahu whose fame stemmed from a victory over Kadiyarana ('the Muslim pirate') who attempted to take over Chilaw in the late fifteenth century (Rajavaliya 1954: 62).
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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 |