Blood for the Goddess

Several 17th century sources (European travel literature and Mughal historiography) record the practice of self-mutilation, and possibly ritual suicide, at the Hindu temple of Vajreśvarī (Kāngṛā, HP), an important place of pilgrimage related to the Śakti cult. Blood-spilling, symbolizing ferti...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autor: Jiménez Cid, Alejandro
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2016
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:149118
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/149118
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.5565/rev/indialogs.41
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Blood sacrifice
Hinduism
Self-mutilation
Goddess
Shakti
Kangra
Himachal pradesh
Sacrificio sangriento
Hinduismo
Automutilación
Diosa
Descripción
Sumario:Several 17th century sources (European travel literature and Mughal historiography) record the practice of self-mutilation, and possibly ritual suicide, at the Hindu temple of Vajreśvarī (Kāngṛā, HP), an important place of pilgrimage related to the Śakti cult. Blood-spilling, symbolizing fertility, played a central role in these sacrifices, which were discontinued in the 18th century as they entered in conflict with the non-violent view of Hinduism supported by urban elites.