The Sacred Town of Sankhu
Subtitle: The Anthropology of Newar Ritual, Religion and Society in Nepal
Publisher: Cambridge Scholars Publishing
Published: 2012
Place of publication: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Language: eng
Number of pages: 635
ISBN-13: 9781443837705
Description: This book presents a detailed view on Newar society and culture, its socio-economic, socio-religious and ritual aspects, concentrating on a single Newar town of Sankhu in the Valley of Nepal. The foundation of the town of Sankhu is attributed to the goddess Vajrayogini, venerated by both Buddhists and Hindus in Nepal and beyond. Myths, history, and topographical details of the town and the sanctuary of goddess Vajrayogini, and her cult are discussed on the basis of published sources, unpublished chronicles, and inscriptions. The book deals with the relation between Hinduism and Buddhism, with the interrelations between the Newar castes (jat), caste-bound associations (si guthi), and above all with the numerous socio-religious associations (guthi) that uphold ritual life of the Newars. All major and minor Newar feasts, festivals, dances, fasts and processions of gods and goddesses are discussed.
Table of contents: label: Table of Contents
pagenum: viii; label: List of Illustrations and Maps
pagenum: ix; label: List of Tables and Charts
pagenum: xi; label: Foreword
pagenum: xii; label: Preface
pagenum: xiv; label: Acknowledgments
pagenum: xix; label: Note on Transliteration
pagenum: xxiv; label: Abbreviations
pagenum: xxv; label: Chapter 1
title: Introduction
pagenum: 1; label: Chapter 2
title: Ritual and Calendars in Nepal
pagenum: 13; label: Chapter 3
title: The Significance of Newar Culture and Society
pagenum: 21; label: Chapter 4
title: The Town of Sankhu: History and Myth
pagenum: 42; label: Chapter 5
title: Sacred Space and Geography of Sankhu
pagenum: 61; label: Appendix to Chapter 5
title: Names of the Deities
pagenum: 102; label: Chapter 6
title: Socio-Economic Position of Sankhu
pagenum: 105; label: Chapter 7
title: Features of Newar Caste and Religion
pagenum: 137; label: Appendix to Chapter 7
title: Nicknames
pagenum: 179; label: Chapter 8
title: Sīguthi, the Funeral Associations in Sankhu
pagenum: 183; label: Chapter 9
title: Role of Guthi, the Socio-Religious Associations in Sankhu
pagenum: 199; label: Chapter 10
title: Ritual Cycle: Feasts and Festivals
pagenum: 266; label: Chapter 11
title: The Festival of Svanti: The Ritual Renewal in Nepal
pagenum: 328; label: Chapter 12
title: The Fast of Mādhava Nārāyana and the Legend of Svasthānī
pagenum: 343; label: Chapter 13
title: The Cult of the Goddess Vajrayoginī and her Sanctuary
pagenum: 390; label: Appendix to Chapter 13
title: The Way of Worship of the GoddessVajrayoginī
pagenum: 444; label: Chapter 14
title: The Annual Festival of Vajrayoginī
pagenum: 446; label: Chapter 15
title: The Dances of Devī: The Manifestations of the Goddess Vajrayoginī
pagenum: 507; label: Chapter 16
title: Conclusion: Continuity and Change in the Town of Sankhu
pagenum: 523; label: Notes
pagenum: 532; label: Bibliography
pagenum: 555; label: Glossary
pagenum: 580; label: Index
pagenum: 593