Kalighat: Its Impact On Socio-Cultural Life of Hindus [Hardcover]

The main focus of this study is the Kali temple of Kalighat, one of the most sacred pilgrim centres of Hindus in India. It is an effort to weigh the radiating influence of a traditional religious centre over the contemporary social life. The temple, devotees and all sacred performances at Kalighat have been discussed in detail with emphasis on the changing pattern of religious practices, the utility of pilgrimage for the promotion of trade and market complex, diversified role of sacred specialists, evolution and new perspective in sacred tradition. The work is the outcome of intensive fieldwork. Here the main considerations is Kali Puja, an act of reverence towards the power goddess Kali which is an ancient, most popular, complex as well as simple form of Hindu religious rite involving critical preparation and widespread participation. The detailed description and subsequent interpretation of the rituals at Kalighat presents a view regarding the sentiments of present-day Hindu society as it emerges through different patterns of worship and different modes people’s involvement into it. The basic elements which have been highlight in the analysis are social configuration, human disposition, changing value system and rules of conduct in an age-old society. On a broader theoretical level she intends to discuss the problems of myths and religion, ideology and social structure- a microcosm of Indian civilization. The work not only provides an elaborate ethnographic account in the perspective of socio-religious study, this can also serve as model in the study of a civilization. About The Author:- Dr. Indrani basu Roy stood first class first in B.Sc. (Hons.) Anthropology from Calcutta University followed by M.Sc. in Anthropology and research work. Later she underwent two professional training courses conducted by State Government of West Bengal and a voluntary organization. Dr. Basu Roy has worked with different voluntary organizations to promote the objective of social development. Further, she has participated in many seminars and workshops of national repute. In her working span she wrote ten research papers which have been published in various scientific journals. Subject of those papers cover a wide range of study such as ethnography, social anthropology, urban sociology, social pathology and medical anthropology. At present she is engaged in an independent research project sponsored by a voluntary organization in Calcutta. Contents:- Introduction • Kalighat and the Kali temple • Origin and history of the area • Present day Kalighat • Regular routine in the temple • Special Occasions in the temple • Role of the Kali temple in Dasakarma, Sraddha and other Rites • Conclusion • Appendix • Index • Maps and Illustrations. The Title 'Kalighat: Its Impact On Socio-Cultural Life of Hindus written/authored/edited by Indrani Basu Roy', published in the year 1993. The ISBN 9788121204019 is assigned to the Hardcover version of this title. This book has total of pp. 190 (Pages). The publisher of this title is Gyan Publishing House. This Book is in English. The subject of this book is RELIGION / PHILOSOPHY / Sociology. Size of the book is 14.34 x 22.59 cms Vol:-