The Hindu Temple and Its Sacred Landscape

The Hindu Temple and Its Sacred Landscape explores the history and significance of Hindu temples, highlighting their role in the community and the diversity of temple audiences, deities, and rituals. Author Himanshu Prabha Ray provides authoritative analysis, supplemented by discussion questions, suggested further reading, a glossary of key terms, and images. The book expands the collection of academic texts developed by the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, including Women in the Hindu World and The Bhagavad Gītā: A New Translation and Study Guide.

Format: Hardback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2023
Publisher: Mandala Publishing Group

The Hindu Temple and Its Sacred Landscape is a comprehensive exploration of the Hindu temple, its social history, and cultural landscape, offering valuable insights into the practice and lived experience of Hinduism throughout history. The book challenges the traditional view of temples as isolated structures and emphasizes their active participation in the community for their establishment, maintenance, and survival. Through a combination of textual study, archaeological evidence, and contemporary anthropology, the book explores the diverse ways in which devotees, patrons, and visitors have engaged with temples, shrines, and their wider surroundings. The book highlights the vibrancy of the Hindu temple in different locales, tracing the ways in which Hindu notions of sanctity and sacredness have been defined and redefined throughout history through the diversity of temple audiences, deities, and rituals. This allows us to form a more accurate picture of Hindu religious life in the past and the central role the temple has played in consolidating Hindu identity. Author Himanshu Prabha Ray, an award-winning Sanskrit scholar, historian, and archeologist, provides authoritative analysis of the Hindu temple, drawing on her expertise to provide a comprehensive and engaging exploration of this important cultural institution. The book also serves as a valuable supplement to academic coursework and the independent study of Hinduism, offering a breadth of educational knowledge that enhances our understanding of this complex and diverse religion.

Weight: 714g
Dimension: 161 x 238 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781647229085