Old Tool for New Times
This paper aims to show how different typologies of narration can be involved in the place-making process of a religious centre in India based on the claim of a yogi to have discovered in a jungle an ancient holy place, Garh Dhām, through his powers. As recorded by a devotee-run website, it was clai...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
British Association for the Study of Religions
[2018]
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| In: |
Journal of the British Association for the Study of Religions
Year: 2018, Volume: 20, Pages: 45-66 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Brahmānanda Giri ca. um 1550
/ Hinduism
/ Sanctuary
/ Discovery
/ Devīmāhātmya
/ Durga
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| IxTheo Classification: | AG Religious life; material religion BK Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism KBM Asia |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (doi) Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | This paper aims to show how different typologies of narration can be involved in the place-making process of a religious centre in India based on the claim of a yogi to have discovered in a jungle an ancient holy place, Garh Dhām, through his powers. As recorded by a devotee-run website, it was claimed to be the same place where King Surath met the sage Medha – as narrated in the Devī Māhātmya, a famous section of the Markaṇḍeya Purāṇa – and where the first ever Durgā Pūjā (worship) was ‘historically’ celebrated. The ‘discoverer’ is a yogi, Brahmānand Girī, who living in jungle was able to find hidden temples thanks to his austerity (tapasyā) and yogic powers (siddhis). The narration of his life story and of his powers recalls those appearing in Indian hagiographies and texts that describe siddhis. The discovery of a holy place by a yogi does not represent an isolated case since similar discoveries dot the history of Hindu religious orders. As in these latter cases, the place-making process of Garh Dhām aims to give authority and legitimacy to the foundation of a new religious centre and so to further spread the Durgā cult in the area and to attract pilgrims. |
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| ISSN: | 2516-6379 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of the British Association for the Study of Religions
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.18792/jbasr.v20i0.27 |