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 39
... potency of the temples, and how the ritual aesthetic of the temple creates the conditions for such potency to be continually re-expressed. While lacking a lay trust means that Munnesvaram does not display the same kinds of local social ...
... potency of their respective temples, and how they go about cultivating and maintaining this potency in the context of such a strong Sinhala Buddhist presence. Thus, in Chapter 5 I examine the aesthetics of the Munnesvaram temple as an ...
... potency (haskam) associated with this origin site that contributes most to Munnesvaram's Sri Lanka-wide fame. While it is the Bhadrakali temple that draws so many worshippers to Munnesvaram (ranging from around fifty on the quiet days ...
You have reached your viewing limit for this book.
You have reached your viewing limit for this book.
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 |