When the World Becomes Female
Guises of a South Indian Goddess
Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Eastern Religions, Hinduism, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Gender Studies, Women&, Anthropology
| Author: | Joyce Burkhalter Flueckiger | ISBN: | 9780253009609 |
| Publisher: | Indiana University Press | Publication: | July 23, 2013 |
| Imprint: | Indiana University Press | Language: | English |
| Author: | Joyce Burkhalter Flueckiger |
| ISBN: | 9780253009609 |
| Publisher: | Indiana University Press |
| Publication: | July 23, 2013 |
| Imprint: | Indiana University Press |
| Language: | English |
During the goddess Gangamma’s festival in the town of Tirupati, lower-caste men take guises of the goddess, and the streets are filled with men wearing saris, braids, and female jewelry. By contrast, women participate by intensifying the rituals they perform for Gangamma throughout the year, such as cooking and offering food. Joyce Burkhalter Flueckiger argues that within the festival ultimate reality is imagined as female and women identify with the goddess, whose power they share. Vivid accounts by male and female participants offer new insights into Gangamma’s traditions and the nature of Hindu village goddesses.
During the goddess Gangamma’s festival in the town of Tirupati, lower-caste men take guises of the goddess, and the streets are filled with men wearing saris, braids, and female jewelry. By contrast, women participate by intensifying the rituals they perform for Gangamma throughout the year, such as cooking and offering food. Joyce Burkhalter Flueckiger argues that within the festival ultimate reality is imagined as female and women identify with the goddess, whose power they share. Vivid accounts by male and female participants offer new insights into Gangamma’s traditions and the nature of Hindu village goddesses.
