Renewal of the Priesthood
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A01=C. J. Fuller
Agama (Hinduism)
Archana (Hinduism)
Author_C. J. Fuller
Bharatiya Janata Party
Brahmanism
Brahmin
Bureaucrat
Category=JBCC
Category=QRD
Category=QRVS1
Category=QRVS5
Chennai
Christian revival
Consecration
Dakshinamurthy
Deity
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Economic liberalization
Employment
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eq_society-politics
Harijan
Hindu
Hindu Munnani
Hindu nationalism
Hinduism
Historical Vedic religion
Household
Ideology
Incumbent (ecclesiastical)
Islam
Islamism
Iyer
Jayalalithaa
Kalugumalai
Kanchipuram
Kartikeya
Karunanidhi
Kerala
Madras High Court
Madurai
Meal
Middle class
Minakshi
Modernity
Monastery
Nationalist Movement
Officiant
Palani
Peter van der Veer
Politics
Pollution
Precedent
Procession
Publication
Religion
Religious text
Rite
Sanskrit
Sanskrit College
Sastri
Secular education
Shaivism
Shankaracharya
Sheldon Pollock
Smarta Tradition
South India
Spirituality
State religion
Thangam (TV series)
The Other Hand
Tiruvannamalai
Traditional authority
Untouchability
Vaishnavism
Vedas
Writing
Product details
- ISBN 9780691116587
- Weight: 340g
- Dimensions: 152 x 235mm
- Publication Date: 23 Nov 2003
- Publisher: Princeton University Press
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Paperback
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Much has changed for the priests at the Minakshi Temple, one of the most famous Hindu temples in India. In The Renewal of the Priesthood, C. J. Fuller traces their improving fortunes over the past 25 years. This fluidly written book is unique in showing that traditionalism and modernity are actually reinforcing each other among these priests, a process in which the state has played a crucial role. Since the mid-1980s, growing urban affluence has seen more people spend more money on rituals in the Minakshi Temple, which is in the southern city of Madurai. The priests have thus become better-off, and some have also found new earnings opportunities in temples as far away as America. During the same period, due partly to growing Hindu nationalism in India, the Tamilnadu state government's religious policies have become more favorable toward Hinduism and Brahman temple priests. More priests' sons now study in religious schools where they learn authoritative Sanskrit ritual texts by heart, and overall educational standards have markedly improved. Fuller shows that the priests have become more "professional" and modern-minded while also insisting on the legitimacy of tradition.
He concludes by critiquing the analysis of modernity and tradition in social science. In showing how the priests are authentic representatives of modern India, this book tells a story whose significance extends far beyond the confines of the Minakshi Temple itself.
C. J. Fuller is Professor of Anthropology at the London School of Economics and Political Science. His books include "The Camphor Flame" (Princeton) and "Servants of the Goddess".
