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. |
From inside the book
Results 6-10 of 56
... type of tree used in the Munnesvaram festival 'Hunting Festival' Radala (Sinh.) – aristocratic landowner caste Råhu (Sinh.,Tm.) – the Dragon's Head planet ratha (Skt.) – chariot Ravi (Sinh.) – Sun rüpa (Skt.) – xx – Glossary.
... caste traditionally associated with weaving and cinnamon peeling ßalava (Sinh.) – weaving hall, possible source of the name for Chilaw, Salawatta/Halawatta sam såra (Sinh.) – this life . san. ing danam a deity kappu statue, (Skt ...
... caste vel . ivithi (Tm.) – outer road (oftemple) Vel . l. i (Tm.) – Venus Vettaitiruvil . å (Tm.) – Hunting festival vibhüti (Skt.) – the special ash of burnt cow-dung used by ́Saivites vidveßan.a (Skt.) – 'rendering hostile', a type of ...
... caste, class and ethnic cleavages that have profoundly influenced the religious field (Whitaker 1999). That the Munnesvaram and Bhadrakali temples lack such trusts has been immensely important for maintaining the social heterogeneity of ...
... Caste, class and ethnicity are manifested in the temple worship, and I explore different features of all of these social relations in order to demonstrate that worship is not reducible to any one of these. For example, all are elements ...
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 |