Description
Book SynopsisThis innovative introductory textbook explores the central practices and beliefs of Hinduism through contemporary, everyday practice.
Trade Review"An engaging read, as a textbook as well as general resource, this book has the potential to make instructors re-envision how they teach Hinduism in the classroom." (CHOICE, 2016)
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements viii
A Note on Transliteration x
Map of India xii
Introduction 1
The Terms “Hindu,” “Hinduism,” and “Hindu Traditions” 2
Dharma: A Way of Life and Religious Tradition 3
Context and Multiplicity 6
Ethnographic Selection and Chapter Topics 9
A Note on Caste 13
1 Families of Deities 18
The Trimurti 20
Mythological and Narrative Families 21
Vishnu 21
Shiva 25
Devi, the Goddess 28
Gramadevatas, Village Deities 30
Temple Families 34
Ritual Families in Domestic Shrines 36
2 Oral and Visual Narratives and Theologies 46
Oral Performance Genres 47
Visual Narratives and Theologies 49
Verbal and Visual Together 56
Where Does the Narrative Lie? 61
The Ramayana Tradition Performed 62
3 Loving and Serving God: Bhakti, Murtis, and Puja 73
Bhakti, Devotion 73
Singing to God and the Goddess 76
Worshipping Deities in Material Form 77
Narratives of God in the Murti 80
The Deity without Form 83
Modes of Worshipping the Murti 85
The Services of Puja 89
Online, Cyber Puja 93
4 Temples, Shrines, and Pilgrimage 97
Temples 98
Sthala Puranas 99
Temple Architecture 101
Temple Worship 104
Shrines 109
Pilgrimage 110
Tirumala, a Southern, Pan]Indian, and Transnational Pilgrimage Site 114
Narsinghnath, a Sub]regional Pilgrimage Site 119
5 Festivals 123
Divali: Festival of Lights 127
Ganesha Chaturthi: Domestic, Neighborhood, and City]Wide Celebrations 129
Place]Bound Festivals: Tirupati’s Gangamma Jatara 138
6 Vrats: Ritual Vows and Women’s Auspiciousness 145
Temple Vrats 146
Domestic Vrats 147
Vrat Kathas: Ritual Narratives 150
Two South Indian Vrat Traditions 151
Gender and Vrats 164
7 Samskaras: Transformative Rites of Passage 169
Pregnancy and Birth 170
First]Year Samskaras 171
Upanayana and Rituals of Transition to Adulthood 172
Ranga Pravesham: Ascending the (Dance) Stage 177
Marriage 178
Death Rituals 186
8 Ritual Healing, Possession, and Astrology 193
Accessing Multiple Healing Sites 194
Healing across Religious Boundaries 199
Possession 203
Astrology 211
Afterword 220
Glossary 227
Index 231
