Contemporary Hinduism
Published on 30. April 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
352 pages
978-1-84465-670-7 (ISBN)
Description
Most overviews of Hindu belief and practice follow a history from the ancient Vedas to today. Such approaches privilege Brahmanical traditions and create a sense of Hinduism as a homogenous system and culture, and one which is largely unchanging and based solely on sacred texts. In reality, modern Hindu faith and culture present an extraordinary range of dynamic beliefs and practices. Contemporary Hinduism aims to capture the full breadth of the Hindu worldview as practised today, both in the sub-continent and the diaspora. Global and regional faith, ritualised and everyday practice, Brahmanical and non-Brahmanical belief, and ascetic and devotional traditions are all discussed. Throughout, the discussion is illustrated with detailed case material and images, whilst key terms are highlighted and explained in a glossary. Contemporary Hinduism presents students with a lively and engaging survey of Hinduism, offering an introduction to the oldest and one of the most complex of world religions.
Reviews / Votes
"Touching on ritual, narrative, community and doctrine, this book brings us one step closer to understanding the reality of 'Hinduism' in all its variation and regional flavour." - Jessica Frazier, University of Kent "Going beyond elitist texts, this volume illustrates the kaleidoscope of Hindu practices and beliefs, and reveals to us the vibrant reality of Hinduism as it is lived across the globe." - Nikky-Guninder Kaur Singh, Colby College, USAMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Durham
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
34 photographs
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-84465-670-7 (9781844656707)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
P. Pratap Kumar is Emeritus Professor of Hinduism & Comparative Religions at the University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. He is the author of, most recently, 'Hinduism and the Diaspora', 'Methods and Theories in the Study of Religions: Perspectives from the Study of Hinduism and other Indian Religion', co-editor of 'South Asians in the Diaspora: Their Histories and Traditions' and editor of 'Religious Pluralism and the Diaspora'.
Content
Introduction, P. Pratap Kumar PART I: HINDUISM IN THE DIASPORA Part Introduction 1. Diasporic and Indigenous Hinduism in North America, Jeffery D. Long 2. Nepali Hindus in Southern California, Deepak Shimkhada 3. Trinidad Hinduism, Paul Younger 4. Hinduism in the Caribbean, Indrani Rampersad 5. A Tamil Shaivaism in Norway, Knut A. Jacobsen PART II: HINDUISM IN NORTH INDIA Part Introduction 6. The Indrajatra festival of Kathmandu, Nepal, Michael Baltutis 7. Vernacular Hinduism in Rajasthan, Antoinette E. DeNapoli 8. Sindhi Hindus, Steven Ramey 9. Devotional Expressions in the Swaminarayan Community, Hanna Kim 10. Krishna Devotion in Western India, Shandip Saha 11. Varkaris in Rural Western India, Jon Keune 12. Low Caste Hinduism in Central India, Ramdas Lamb 13. Vaishnavism in Bengal, Abhishek Ghosh PART III: HINDUISM IN SOUTH INDIA Part Introduction 14. Snake Goddess Traditions in Tamilnadu, Amy L. Allocco 15. Nambutiris and Ayyappan Devotees in Kerala, George Pati 16. Adorning and Enjoying the Body of the Goddess, Archana Venkatesan 17. The Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, Afsar Mohammad 18. The Militant Ascetic Traditions of India and Sri Lanka, William Harman 19. Afterword, P. Pratap Kumar Glossary Bibliography Index