Servants of the Goddess
The Priests of a South Indian Temple
Part of Cambridge Studies in Social and Cultural Anthropology
- Author: C. J. Fuller, London School of Economics and Political Science
- Date Published: November 2007
- availability: Available
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521040099
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The Minaksi Temple is one of the largest, most celebrated and most popular Hindu temples in India. Situated in the ancient south Indian city of Madurai, it is dedicated to the goddess Minaksi and her husband the god Sundaresvara, a form of the great god Śiva. Minaksi's principal servants in the Temple are the priests who carry out all the elaborate rituals for her and Sundaresvara, and these priests are the subject of this book. Drawing upon his extensive field research in the Temple, Dr Fuller discusses the role of the priests in the Temple and their place in the wider society. He looks at their rights and duties in the Temple, and at the changes in their position that have occurred since the establishment of a modern government and legal system. Throughout his book, the author situates his detailed analysis of the Minaksi Temple priesthood within its wider social and historical context, and relates it to the previous work of anthropologists, as well as of historians, Sanskritists and legal scholars.
Customer reviews
17th Oct 2024 by UName-1107384
Important book about the rituals of Madurai MeenakshiammanTemple...it narrates the practice and customs of the Pattars of that temple
Review was not posted due to profanity
×Product details
- Date Published: November 2007
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9780521040099
- length: 264 pages
- dimensions: 229 x 153 x 17 mm
- weight: 0.402kg
- availability: Available
Table of Contents
List of illustrations
List of tables
Preface
Notes on transliteration, references and Indian currency
Glossary
Key to maps 2 and 3
1. Minaksi, Sundaresvara and their Temple in Madurai
2. The priests and hierarchy within the Temple
3. The relative inferiority of the Brahman temple priest
4. Kingship, the law and the priests' rights and duties
5. The government and the Temple
6. The Āgamas and temple reform
7. Conclusion
Appendices
Notes
References
List of cases
Index.
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