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In the context of Wim van Binsbergen's explorations into Africa's transcontinental continuities in pre- and protohistory, in particular the region of South Asia / India, with Hinduism as one of its main religious and cultural expressions has come to occupy an increasingly important place.
In addition a background document was prepared, setting out the very modest and self-critical purpose of these exercises, and some of the methodological and logistic aspects of this cinematographic experiment, in a text entitled:
No. | Title |
Description |
Remarks / URL |
1 |
The Brihadishvara temple in
Gangaikondacholapuram, Tiruchirapalli (Trichi), Tamil
Nadu, |
Gangaikondacholapuram (near Chidambaram) was the
capital of the Chola empire (11th cdentury
CE), when King Rajendra I extended his realm to the banks
of the |
http://youtu.be/GJ69f6wMxA4 |
2 |
Hindu devotion at the Brihadishvara temple,
Thanjavur (Tamil |
The Brihadishvara temple in Thanjavur (of which
a replica is found at Gangaikondacholapuram) is one of
the major monuments of Chola architecture, and deservedly
features on the UNESCO heritage list. It is
dedicated to Shiva. It offers a unique opportunity to
enjoy classic Chola architecture, and to witness the cult
inside. The temple dome and the monolithic Nandi bull,
and the interior decorations are among the temples
main attractions. The main feature of this video
meanwhile is that it offers glimpses of living Hindu
spirituality (prayer, chanting, distribution of
sacralised food, the tree / fertility cult) within the
temple premises. |
http://youtu.be/0he9BySzr_g |
3 |
A visit to the Sri Jambukeshvara temple,
Tiruvanaikka, near Tiruchirapalli (Trichi), Tamil |
Situated away from main tourist flows, this
temple dedicated to Shiva in his capacity of Lord of the
Water Element, allowed us to get glimpses of the day
following a major religious festival for women, and to
participate in worship in the inner sanctum. The video
captures the atmosphere of protective semi-darkness that
despite the busy movement and talking of people makes the
temple a womb-like place for retreat and redress |
http://youtu.be/iXt0J0VbZvc |
4 |
Kanchipuram: Three temples |
In search of an encounter with common Hindu
spirituality two Westerners with mainly an Africanist
background pay a visit to three temples in the town of |
http://youtu.be/8kQWJUoQkhk |
5 |
The Ranganatha temple, Srirangam, Tiruchirapalli
Tamil Nadu Temple Tour 5 |
This temple, dedicated to Vishnu in reclining
form, is the most magnificent of the Trichi area. Its
construction spans a period from the 10th c. CE 1987,
and was once the centre of Ramanujas teachings,
advocating personal spirituality (bhakti). Of the seven
concentric ringwalls that constitute the temple area, the
outer three are accessible to non-Hindus. The movie shows
their brilliant sculpture and architecture, stunningly
decorated pillars and pillared halls, and nicely brings
out their atmosphere. However, contrary to some of the
other Hindu temples of Tamil Nadu, the rule of access was
strictly enforced here. We could not get to the inner
sanctum where Vishnu is considered to lie in the coils of
the cosmic snake. |
http://youtu.be/ZTr71lW7n7A |
6 |
Tiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, |
In Tiruvannamalai Shiva descended as a pillar of
fire. Therefore a lingam of the element fire is venerated
in the main temple. The nearby Mt Arunachala is the scene
of the annual Karthigai Deepam fire / light festival.
Also because of the ashram of Sri Ramana Maharshi (+
1950) the town attracts many foreigners, and the
atmosphere is cosmopolitan. Opposite the ashram is a
remarkable Kali temple. We enter the towns main
temple and admire its beauty and serenity. All the way
into the inner sanctum, where however we could not use
our camera. |
http://youtu.be/goDbc4HWT7Y |
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