The sacred town of Sankhu : the anthropology of Newar ritual, religion and society in Nepal

This book presents a detailed view of Newar society and culture, and its socio-economic, socio-religious and ritual aspects, concentrating on the Newar town of Sankhu in the Valley of Nepal. The foundation of the town of Sankhu is attributed to the goddess Vajrayogin , venerated by both Buddhists and Hindus in Nepal and beyond. Myths, history, and topographical details of the town and the sanctuary of the goddess Vajrayogin and her cult are discussed on the basis of published sources, unpublished chronicles, and inscriptions.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 (j t), caste-bound associations (s 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. 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Of The Town And The Sanctuary Of Goddess Vajrayogini, And Her Cult Are Discussed On The Basis Of Published Sources, Unpublished Chronicles, And Inscriptions.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. By Bal Gopal Shrestha. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [555]-579) And Index. This book presents a detailed view of Newar society and culture, and its socio-economic, socio-religious and ritual aspects, concentrating on the Newar town of Sankhu in the Valley of Nepal. The foundation of the town of Sankhu is attributed to the goddess Vajrayoginī, venerated by both Buddhists and Hindus in Nepal and beyond. Myths, history, and topographical details of the town and the sanctuary of the goddess Vajrayoginī and her cult are discussed on the basis of published sources, unpublished chronicles, and inscriptions.The book deals with the relation between Hinduism and Buddhism, with the interrelations between the Newar castes (jāt), caste-bound associations (sī 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. None None None None None None None None Introduction Ritual and Calendars in Nepal The Significance of Newar Culture and Society The Town of Sankhu: History and Myth Sacred Space and Geography of Sankhu Names of the Deities Socio-Economic Position of Sankhu Features of Newar Caste and Religion Nicknames Sīguthi, the Funeral Associations in Sankhu Role of Guthi, the Socio-Religious Associations in Sankhu Ritual Cycle: Feasts and Festivals The Festival of Svanti: The Ritual Renewal in Nepal The Fast of Mādhava Nārāyana and the Legend of Svasthānī The Cult of the Goddess Vajrayoginī and her Sanctuary The Way of Worship of the GoddessVajrayoginī The Annual Festival of Vajrayoginī The Dances of Devī: The Manifestations of the Goddess Vajrayoginī Conclusion: Continuity and Change in the Town of Sankhu None None None None TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS AND MAPS LIST OF TABLES AND CHARTS FOREWORD PREFACE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS NOTE ON TRANSLITERATION ABBREVIATIONS CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE APPENDIX TO CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN APPENDIX TO CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN CHAPTER TWELVE CHAPTER THIRTEEN APPENDIX TO CHAPTER THIRTEEN CHAPTER FOURTEEN CHAPTER FIFTEEN CHAPTER SIXTEEN NOTES BIBLIOGRAPHY GLOSSARY INDEX