ID | 179992 |
Title Proper | Rituals as a Means of Mitigation and Prevention |
Other Title Information | Containing Sectarian Rivalry in Kanchipuram |
Language | ENG |
Author | Schier, Kerstin |
Summary / Abstract (Note) | This article discusses the role of rituals in preventing and containing religious offences by looking at the annual temple festivals of two specific temples of the Vaiṣṇava and Śaiva traditions in Kanchipuram. Both festivals enact a ritual of mutual insult (ēcal in Tamil). Through my discussion of the role of religious leaders in the enactment of these rituals and the recent establishment of a new ritual in response to perceived rising tensions, I show that the ritualised insult is both a demonstration of power and an important tool for maintaining balance in the relationship between the two Hindu traditions. |
`In' analytical Note | South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies Vol. 44, No.3; Jun 2021: p.522-537 |
Journal Source | South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies 2021-06 44, 3 |
Key Words | South India ; Kanchipuram ; Sectarian Rivalry ; Temple Festivals ; Ēcal (insult) Ritual |