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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... Bhadrakali temple påñcala††i (Skt.) 'the five waves', the name of the final camphor lamp waved in the puja påñcamahåbhüti (Skt.) – the five elements panneer (Tm.) – flower and sandalwood infused water used in abhiseka rites pansala ...
... temple and its world in order to explore the interactive dynamism of a complex South Asian society and its ... Bhadrakali temple – are the largest, best known, and most popular temples in the complex. Each temple is owned and run by a ...
... temple complex. I stress this apparent sense, however, for while at one moment the fluidity of social and religious ... Bhadrakali temple, the numbers, suddenness and context quite surprised me. When I asked what was going on, I was told ...
... temples. Through my account of this history I explain the unusual fact (for Sri Lanka) that both the Munnesvaram and Bhadrakali temples are owned and run by their Tamil Saivite priests. This is important because through their ownership ...
... temple worship, and I explore different features of all of these social relations in order to demonstrate that ... Bhadrakali temple. In Chapter 3 I begin my examination of the religious world of the Munnesvaram temples by discussing the ...
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 |
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The Domain of Constant Excess: Plural Worship at the Munnesvaram Temples in ... Rohan Bastin No preview available - 2002 |