DOCSLIB.ORG

Ethnic Identity Formation and Ritual Dynamics: an Analysis of First-Generation Asian Indian Immigrants in the Southern Plains Regions of the United States

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Ethnic Identity Formation and Ritual Dynamics: an Analysis of First-Generation Asian Indian Immigrants in the Southern Plains Regions of the United States ETHNIC IDENTITY FORMATION AND RITUAL DYNAMICS: AN ANALYSIS OF FIRST-GENERATION ASIAN INDIAN IMMIGRANTS IN THE SOUTHERN PLAINS REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES By BASUDHARA SEN Bachelor of Arts in Sociology University of Calcutta Calcutta, West Bengal 2003 Master of Arts in Sociology University of Calcutta Calcutta, West Bengal 2005 Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate College of the Oklahoma State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY July, 2013 ETHNIC IDENTITY FORMATION AND RITUAL DYNAMICS: AN ANALYSIS OF FIRST-GENERATION ASIAN INDIAN IMMIGRANTS IN THE SOUTHERN PLAINS REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES Dissertation Approved: Dr. J. David Knottnerus Dissertation Adviser Dr. Jean Van Delinder Dr. Tamara L. Mix Dr. Ravi Sheorey ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My mind gets filled with names when I think about the people who have encouraged, guided, mentored, and prayed for the completion of my dissertation. I would like to express my deepest and sincere gratitude to my advisor, Dr. J. David Knottnerus, for his encouragement, patience, editing, and numerous discussions during my Ph.D. Thank you for mentoring, and the support you provided me since the first semester of my graduate study. I am grateful to my committee members, Drs. Jean Van Delinder, Tamara Mix, and Ravi Sheorey for their suggestions and assistance. Thank you, Dr. Van Delinder for introducing me to the wonderful literature on race and ethnicity. Your depth of knowledge always helped to improve my thinking. Thank you, Dr. Mix for training me to develop my teaching potential. You are a great inspiration. Thank you, Dr. Sheorey for your detailed editing. I sincerely thank all my participants in the study for sharing your immigrant experiences. A special thanks to my informants who took the time to e-mail and call people to participate in my study. This dissertation wouldn’t be possible without your support and cooperation. I would like to thank faculty and staff of department of sociology who have been great support and inspiration for me. Thank you, Barbie and Sue for your affection and support. Thank you, Allison for your help, especially during my stay as a distance iii Acknowledgements reflect the views of the author and are not endorsed by committee members or Oklahoma State University. learning student. Thank you, Dr. Stephen Perkins and Kathy for inviting me to your home when I was yet to understand a new culture. I enjoyed every moment spent with both of you. Dr. Tom Shriver, Dr. Patricia Bell, and Dr. Andrew Fullerton have been inspirational both inside and outside the classroom. I would like to thank my friends and colleagues of my department for their kindness, friendship, and help both in and outside the department. Finally, my family is the reason for where I am today. Thank you, tha (grandmother, late Aruna Sen), for inspiring me to pursue doctoral degree since my childhood. I know that you are with us, always. I lovingly dedicate this dissertation to you. Thank you, baba (father, Arup Sankar Sen) and maa (mother, Alpana Sen), for being the strongest support in each endeavor of my life. This life is for you. Thank you, my sister (Jashodhara Sen) for always believing in me and celebrating even my smallest success. Thank you, my loving husband and best friend, Abhijit, for your love and support. You have always listened, encouraged, shared my tears, joy, and frustrations, and kept me grounded throughout this process. This journey is not complete without you. iv Acknowledgements reflect the views of the author and are not endorsed by committee members or Oklahoma State University. Name: BASUDHARA SEN Date of Degree: JULY, 2013 Title of Study: ETHNIC IDENTITY FORMATION AND RITUAL DYNAMICS: AN ANALYSIS OF FIRST-GENERATION ASIAN INDIAN IMMIGRANTS IN THE SOUTHERN PLAINS REGIONS OF THE UNITED STATES Major Field: SOCIOLOGY Abstract: This study focuses on issues dealing with ethnicity, community, and especially identity construction among first-generation Asian Indian immigrants who reside in the Southern Plains region of the United States. Identity not only refers to what we have, but what we do or practice in our everyday lives. Employing structural ritualization theory (Knottnerus 1997, 2011), this study explores how three dimensions of cultural practices or ritualized behaviors - regional-ethnic, pan-ethnic, and host - play a crucial role in constructing the “multi-ritual” ethnic identity of first-generation Asian Indian immigrants. The analysis of ritualized behaviors helps to determine the rank or overall importance of ritualized symbolic practices (RSPs). The higher rank of an RSP the greater the impact on the cognitions and behaviors of immigrants as they construct a multi-ritual ethnic identity. This social-psychological understanding of ethnic identity formation argues that immigrants interpret their behaviors, i.e., they continuously evaluate what the ritualized behaviors mean in their lives and make decisions to create one or more forms of ethnic identity. This qualitative study used thirty-one in-depth semi-structured interviews with observation method. The results indicate that in the process of ethnic identity formation, first-generation Indian immigrants negotiate with their distinctive pan-Indian cultural practices that separate them from others, retain and alter their regional-Indian ritual practices to celebrate their internal cultural variations, and bring their ethnicity to the mainstream society through selective pan and/or regional-ethnic ritualized practices. This study adds to the social constructionist perspective of ethnicity emphasizing the situational dimension of ritual dynamics and contributes to the micro-sociological analysis of ethnic identity. It enhances our empirical knowledge of an under studied Asian Indian immigrant community and provides an extension to the analytic potential of structural ritualization theory. It also offers a theoretical framework to explore the complexity of race and ethnicity of other ethno-racial groups. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 1 Research Questions .............................................................................................. 3 The Significance of the Study .............................................................................. 4 Method ................................................................................................................ 5 A History of Asian Indian Immigration ................................................................ 6 II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE .............................................................................. 11 Defining Ethnicity and Ethnic identity ............................................................... 11 The Continuing Significance of Ethnic identity .................................................. 14 Identity in Social Psychology ............................................................................. 17 Multi dimensional Asian Indian Ethnic identity: Identity Formation in Home Country, Host Country, and Transnational Spaces.............................................. 19 III. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ...................................................................... 34 Structural Ritualization Theory .......................................................................... 34 Application of Structural Ritualization Theory in the Studies of Ethnicity .......... 39 Ritual and Ethnic Identity: A Theoretical Analysis ............................................. 42 (1) Regional-ethnic Ritualized Symbolic Practices ......................................... 44 (2) Pan-ethnic Ritualized Symbolic Practices ................................................. 47 (3) Host Ritualized Symbolic Practices .......................................................... 54 (4) Ritual-ethnic Identity Schemas ................................................................. 57 IV. METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................ 64 Qualitative Research .......................................................................................... 64 Method .............................................................................................................. 65 My Insider-Outsider Status as a Researcher.................................................... 67 Sampling Method ........................................................................................... 68 Sample ........................................................................................................... 69 Data Analysis .................................................................................................... 73 Validity and Reliability ...................................................................................... 76 vi V. FINDINGS ......................................................................................................... 78 The Rank of Regional-Ethnic Ritualized Symbolic Practices ............................. 79 (1) Language ............................................................................................... 79 (2) Food ....................................................................................................... 96 (3) Regional-Indian Popular Cultural Practices ........................................... 109 (4) Regional-Indian Religious Practices ....................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Main Items: Appam: Pittu: Dosa: Naan Bread: Kothu Parotta
    Main Items: Idiyappam Idly Chappathi Idiyappa Kothu Appam: Plain Appam Paal Appam Egg Appam Pittu: Plain Pittu Kuzhal Pittu Keerai Pittu Veg Pittu Kothu Egg Pittu Kothu Dosa: Plain Dosa Butter Plain Dosa Onion Masala Egg Dosa Masala Dosa Egg Cheese Dosa Onion Dosa Nutella Dosa Ghee Roast Plain Roast Naan Bread: Plain Naan Garlic Naan Cheese Naan Garlic Cheese Naan Kothu Parotta: Veg Kothu Parotta Egg Kothu Parotta Chicken Kothu Parotta Mutton Kothu Parotta Beef Kothu Parotta Fish Kothu Parotta Prawn Kothu Parotta RICE: Plain Rice Coconut Rice Lemon Rice Sambar Rice Tamarind Rice Curd Rice Tomato Rice Briyani: Veg Briyani Chicken Briyani Mutton Briyani Fish Briyani Prawn Briyani Fried Rice: Veg Fried Rice Chicken Fried Rice Seafood Fried Rice Mixed Meat Fried Rice Egg Fried Rice Fried Noodles: Veg Fried Noodles Chicken Fried Noodles Seafood Fried Noodles Mixed Meat Fried Noodles Egg Fried Noodles Parotta: Plain Parotta Egg Parotta EggCheese Parotta Chilli Parotta Nutella Parotta Live Item: Varieties of Appam Varieties of Parotta Varieties of Pittu Varieties of Dosa Mutton(Bone Boneless ▭): Mutton Curry (Srilankan & Indian Style) ▭ Mutton Devil ▭ Mutton Rasam ▭ Mutton Kuruma ▭ Mutton Varuval ▭ Pepper Mutton ▭ Chicken(Bone Boneless ▭): Chicken Curry (Srilankan & Indian Style) ▭ Chicken 65 ▭ Pepper Chicken ▭ Chicken Devil ▭ Chicken Tikka ▭ Butter Chicken ▭ Chicken Rasam ▭ Chicken Kuruma ▭ Chicken Varuval ▭ Chilli Chicken ▭ Chicken Lollipop Chicken Drumstick
    [Show full text]
  • The Disporia of Borders: Hindu-Sikh Transnationals in the Diaspora Purushottama Bilimoria1,2
    Bilimoria International Journal of Dharma Studies (2017) 5:17 International Journal of DOI 10.1186/s40613-017-0048-x Dharma Studies RESEARCH Open Access The disporia of borders: Hindu-Sikh transnationals in the diaspora Purushottama Bilimoria1,2 Correspondence: Abstract [email protected] 1Center for Dharma Studies, Graduate Theological Union, This paper offers a set of nuanced narratives and a theoretically-informed report on Berkeley, CA, USA what is the driving force and motivation behind the movement of Hindus and Sikhs 2School of Historical and from one continent to another (apart from their earlier movement out of the Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia subcontinent to distant shores). What leads them to leave one diasporic location for another location? In this sense they are also ‘twice-migrants’. Here I investigate the extent and nature of the transnational movement of diasporic Hindus and Sikhs crossing borders into the U.S. and Australia – the new dharmic sites – and how they have tackled the question of the transmission of their respective dharmas within their own communities, particularly to the younger generation. Two case studies will be presented: one from Hindus and Sikhs in Australia; the other from California (temples and gurdwaras in Silicon Valley and Bay Area). Keywords: Indian diaspora, Hindus, Sikhs, Australia, India, Transnationalism, Diaspoetics, Adaptation, Globalization, Hybridity, Deterritorialization, Appadurai, Bhabha, Mishra Part I In keeping with the theme of Experimental Dharmas this article maps the contours of dharma as it crosses borders and distant seas: what happens to dharma and the dharmic experience in the new 'experiments of life' a migrant community might choose to or be forced to undertake? One wishes to ask and develop a hermeneutic for how the dharma traditions are reconfigured, hybridized and developed to cope and deal with the changed context, circumstances and ambience.
    [Show full text]
  • Satsang Sandesh
    Satsang Sandesh India Temple Association, Inc. Hindu Temple, 25 E. Taunton Ave, Berlin, NJ 08009 SOUTH JERSEY ♦ DELAWARE ♦ PENNSYLVANIA (Non-Profit Tax Exempt Organization, Tax ID # 22-2192491) Vol. 59 No. 1 Phone: (855) MYMANDIR (855-696-2634) www.indiatemple.org JULY 2015 Religious Calendar July 12 Sunday Kamala Ekadashi July 16, Thursday Last day of Adhik Pu- rushottam Mas July 17, Friday Nij Aashadh July27 Monday Devshayani Ekadashi/ Chaturmas begins/Gauri Vrat starts July 29 Wednesday Jaya Parvati Vrat starts Monthly Activities PURUSHOTTAM MAAS CELEBRATION Kshama Raghuveer 707- Women Volunteers of our Mandir has planned this event on July 15, 332-3400 2015 from 6:00 PM. July 1, Wednesday Puja of Lord Shri Purushottam (Vishnu) will begin at 6:00 PM followed by Shri Satyanarayan Bhajans , Aarti and Prasad. Pooja 6pm All are invited to join our hard working ladies who have planned this event July 3, Friday for the wellbeing of all humans on earth. Vishnu Sahasranama Purushottam Bhagvan’s puja helps the individual to attain good Parayanam @ 8 pm health, wealth and assistance during tough period of life. Most of all, July 18, Saturday it washes away the sins of life. Sunderkand Path 10am July 31, Friday Special Prayers Shri Satyanarayan ITA has a program whereby you can have prayers performed on your behalf every Pooja 6pm year on a special day in your life by pledging $301. Also, at your request, Shri. Bhu- pendra Shuklaji or Shri Sudhir Jhaji will perform a special puja on your behalf, or the Monthly Bhajans regular temple puja performed on the designated day will be dedicated in your name.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Impact Assessment Due to Festivals
    International Journal of Engineering Technology Science and Research IJETSR www.ijetsr.com ISSN 2394 – 3386 Volume 3, Issue 5 May 2016 Environmental Impact Assessment Due To Festivals Praveen Shivhare1, Professor Deepak Rastogi2 Civil Engineering Department, MITS College, Gwalior , (M.P.), India ABSTRACT In India, various festivals like Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Maa Durga Puja,and Deepawali are also generate water, air, and noise pollution and affects the all environmental attributes (air, water, land, ecology, sound, human aspect, economy, and resources). The festival of ‘Holi’ is proving to be an environmental risk due to the toxic colors used during the celebrations. Unlimited use of such toxic colors affects the human health an ecological balance. Present study analysis the trend and status of pollutants generated during festivals. As per data obtained from M.P. pollution control board Gwalior, it is observed that noise level is high than CPCB standards at three locations of Gwalior city. SPM level is also high during Deepawali festival. Study shows that characteristics of water are also affected. Celebrate dry Holi. Don’t use water. Use natural and home- made holi colors. Stone idols are worshipped. Idols made of stone are best as they can be worshipped every year. Immerse only those idols which are made of unbaked mud, clay or other biodegradable material. Use less number of firecrackers. The manufacture, sale or use of fire-crackers generating noise level exceeding 125 dB(AI) or 145 dB(C)pk at 4 meters distance from the point of bursting shall be prohibited. KEYWORDS: - Festivals, Air, Water, and Noise Pollution, Holi, Deepawali, Idol immersion.
    [Show full text]
  • VEG MENU FINAL.Cdr
    EVENTS & CATERERS 24 1 VEG MENU Aastik Event & Caterers beyond imagination..... STANDARD MENU SPECIAL MENU DELUXE MENU Welcome Drink One Welcome Drink Two Welcome Drink Three Roti One Veg Snacks (Regular or Spl) Two Veg Snacks Three Regular Snack One Rotis Two Chat / Five Spl. Veg. Rice One Spl. veg Rice Two Chinese / Italian Five Sp. Wet Curry Veg One Sp. Wet Curry Two Rotis Two Regular Wet Curry Veg One Regular Wet Curry One Spl. Rice Two Fry Curry Veg One Fry Curry Two Sp. Wet Curry Two Dal One Dal One Regular Wet Curry Two Sambar One Sambar One Fry Curry Two Rasam One Pickle / Chutneys Three Dal One Pickle / Chutneys Two Regular or Spl Sweet Two Sambar One Regular Sweet One Special Ice Cream One Rasam One 2 Regular Ice Cream One Fruit Stall ( Indian) Six Pickle / Chutneys/Powders Five 3 Mithai Mela ( per head 3p) Six Common Items Icecream (Reg or Spl) Four Plain Rice Common Items Fruit Chat ( Indian/ imported) Eight Plain Curd Plain Rice Curd Chutney Plain Curd Plain Papad Curd Chutney Common Items Green Salad Plain Papad Plain Rice Mineral Water Curd Chillies Plain Curd Sweet Pan Green Salad Curd Chutney Spl Salads Plain Papad Mineral Water 200ml Bottles Curd Chillies Spl Sweet Pan counter Green Salad Spl Salads Mineral Water 200ml Bottles Spl Sweet Pan counter PLEASE NOTE: SUPER DELUXE MENU SPL DELUXE MENU We provide plates, dishes, spoons, glasses and other items required in Welcome Drink Three Welcome Drink Three dining section Chat Five Mocktail Counter Five Chat Five Veg Snacks Three Party should arrrange tables, Veg Snacks Three Roti Three tablecloth, frills and wash basins Spl.
    [Show full text]
  • Parenting, Identity and Culture in an Era of Migration and Globalization: How Bangladeshi Parents Navigate and Negotiate Child-Rearing Practices in the Usa
    University of Massachusetts Amherst ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst Doctoral Dissertations Dissertations and Theses October 2018 PARENTING, IDENTITY AND CULTURE IN AN ERA OF MIGRATION AND GLOBALIZATION: HOW BANGLADESHI PARENTS NAVIGATE AND NEGOTIATE CHILD-REARING PRACTICES IN THE USA Mohammad Mahboob Morshed University of Massachusetts Amherst Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_2 Part of the International and Comparative Education Commons Recommended Citation Morshed, Mohammad Mahboob, "PARENTING, IDENTITY AND CULTURE IN AN ERA OF MIGRATION AND GLOBALIZATION: HOW BANGLADESHI PARENTS NAVIGATE AND NEGOTIATE CHILD-REARING PRACTICES IN THE USA" (2018). Doctoral Dissertations. 1373. https://doi.org/10.7275/12682074 https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_2/1373 This Open Access Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Dissertations and Theses at ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. It has been accepted for inclusion in Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UMass Amherst. For more information, please contact [email protected]. PARENTING, IDENTITY AND CULTURE IN AN ERA OF MIGRATION AND GLOBALIZATION: HOW BANGLADESHI PARENTS NAVIGATE AND NEGOTIATE CHILD-REARING PRACTICES IN THE USA A Dissertation Presented by MOHAMMAD MAHBOOB MORSHED Submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Massachusetts Amherst in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY September 2018 College of Education © Copyright by Mohammad Mahboob Morshed 2018 All Rights Reserved PARENTING, IDENTITY AND CULTURE IN AN ERA OF MIGRATION AND GLOBALIZATION: HOW BANGLADESHI PARENTS NAVIGATE AND NEGOTIATE CHILD-REARING PRACTICES IN THE USA A Dissertation Presented by MOHAMMAD MAHBOOB MORSHED Approved as to style and content by: ____________________________________ Jacqueline R.
    [Show full text]
  • VENPONGAL RECIPE | Fenugreek Leaves Pulao,Makki Ki Roti / Corn F
    Ulundhu Kali / Uluntangali / Urad Dal Halwa – South Indian Recipe Ulundhu Kali / Uluntangali is a South Indian traditional delight. This traditional sweet is specially given to teen girls when they attain puberty mainly because as it strengthens the pelvic bones and muscles. This sweet is made of super nutritious ingredients like urad dal (Protein), palm jaggery(Iron) and gingelly oil (Vitamin E). You can have this healthy and nutritional dish for breakfast or as snacks. Good for adults and kids. Ingredients 3/4 Cup of Urad Dal (White) 1 and 1/4 Cup of Palm Jaggery 1/4 Cup of Gingelly Oil Pinch of Salt 1/2 Cup of water or as needed Method Grate the palm jaggery and keep it aside. Dry roast the urad dal lightly, let it cool for sometime. In a pan, heat the water, after it boils, add the palm jaggery , let it be in the flame until jaggery melts and stir it occasionally. Once it done, turn off the flame Powdered the urad dal finely or rava consistency using mixie or spice grinder. Using tea strainer, strain the jaggery syrup to get rid of impurities. In a medium flame, add the Jaggery syrup to the same pan, add a pinch of salt, bring it to a boil, add urad dal powder little by little and stir well to avoid lumps. Add oil little by little and keep on stirring until the mixture leaves the sides of a pan. Serve hot or cold with a tsp of ghee. Make a small balls, in the center, add a tsp of ghee.
    [Show full text]
  • Gudi Padwa Is Celebrated for a Number of Reasons
    Gudi Padwa is celebrated for a number of reasons. It is believed that Lord Brahma created the world on this day and is there- fore worshipped. It is also believed that the 'Gudi' (flag) is a symbol of Lord Rama's victory over Ravan and his subse- quent re-in statement to his post in Ayodhya after completing 14 years of Exile. GUDI The people of Maha- rashtra also see the gudi as a symbol of PADWA victory associated with the conquests of Copyright © 2011 Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies Pvt. Ltd. All Rights Reserved. the Maratha forces led by Chhatrapati Shivaji. Gudhi is believed to ward off evil, invite prosperity and good luck into the house. India predominantly being an agrarian so- ciety, celebrations and festivals are often linked to the turn of the season and to the sowing and reaping of cops. This day also marks the end of one agricultural harvest and the beginning of a new one. GUDI INTRODUCTION PADWA Gudi Padwa is the Marathi name for Gudi Padwa is celebrated for a number of 'Chaitra Shukla Pratipada'. It is the first reasons. It is believed that Lord Brahma day of the New Year according to the Hindu created the world on this day and is there- calendar. fore worshipped. It is also believed that the 'Gudi' (flag) is a Gudi Padwa or Ugadi is celebrated in the symbol of Lord states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Rama's victory over some parts of Karnataka and is considered Ravan and his subse- as one of the four most auspicious days in quent re-in statement the Hindu calendar.
    [Show full text]
  • Magazine1-4 Final.Qxd (Page 2)
    Quite Charming.....Page 4 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 08, 2017 INTERNET EDITION : www.dailyexcelsior.com/magazine Self Analysis....page2 THE KARWA CHAUTH RITUAL LEGEND OF MAHABARATA The legend of this belief is associated back to the Pre-Mahabharata times. It is said that Drupadi wife of Pandvas also observed this fast. It so happened once that in order to undergo penance Arjuna went to the Nilgiris and in his absence his brothers were desperate. Sensing their deplorable condition Drupadi remembered Lord Krishna and asked for help. Lord Krishna advised her to observe the fast of Karwa Chauth. She followed the instructions and kept the fast as per rituals which led to Pandavas to overcome the exaspera- tion they were in. LEGEND OF SATYAVAN AND SAVITRI There was a prediction by some astrologers that Savitri would lose her hus- band soon she gets married. The nuptial bonds were tied and time of her hus- bands departure was impending nearer.Yama, the God of Death came to pro- cure Satyavan’s soul which Savitri manifested. She wept bitterly and begged Yama to grant him life but the Death God could not concede to her request ini- tially. Savitri observed the fast vigorously and propitiating gods got the life of her husband revived. THE LEGEND OF KARVA The story is associated with a devout wife Karva who loved her husband fondly and sincerely. One day while bathing, her husband was caught by a ferocious crocodile in shallow waters. Karva came running and had the croc- odile bound with a cotton yarn and went to Yama, the Lord of the Death and requested him to send the offending crocodile to hell.
    [Show full text]
  • APRIL 2021 Mina—Mesha
    Bharatiya Temple & Bharatiya Cultural Center 1612 County Line Road, Chalfont, PA18914, Web: www.b-temple.org, Phone: 215-997-1181 Phalguna—Chaitra APRIL 2021 Mina—Mesha Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Special Events Krishna Paksha-Panchami Shashti Saptami 10th Ayyappa Puja 21st Sri Rama Navami 1 2 3 11th Gangaur Puja 25th Meenakshi Kalyanam 12th Chandramana Yugadi/Gudi Padwa/Padmavati Kalyanam 26th Satyanarayan Puja 7:15pm Lalitha 9:30am Suprabhatam 13th Baisakhi/Chaitra Navratri Begins 27th Hanuman Jayanti Sahasranama Parayan Balaji Abhishekam 14th Souramana Yugadi/Vishu Kani/Puttandu 29th Sankashti 11:30am Navagraha Puja 18th Murugan Puja 20th Durga Ashtami Havan ( Devotees can participate & sponsor all Pujas and Abhushekams online. Zoom Meeting ID 2485749079. Password is 123456 ) Ashtami Navami Dasami Ekadasi Dwadasi/Trayodasi Trayodasi Chaturdasi 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9am Lakshmi Narayan 7:15pm Siva Abhishekam 7:15pm Hanuman Pradosham 7:15pm Lalitha 9:30am Suprabhatam Abhishekam Abhishekam 7:15pm Jain Bhavana 6pm Siva Abhishekam Sahasranama Parayan Balaji Abhishekam 10am Sunderkand Parayan Hanuman Chalisa 7:15pm Ayyappa Puja 6pm Krishna Abhishekam Amavasya Sukla Paksha-Prathama Prthama/Dwitiya Tritiya Chaturthi Chaturthi/Panchami Panchami 11 12 6pm Padmavati 13 14 15 16 17 Kalyanam 8:30am Vishu Kani 10am Lakshmi Narayan (See the flyer for details) 5:30pm DurgaAbhishekam Plava Nama Souramana 6pm Chandi Path 6pm Chandi Path 9:30am Suprabhatam Abhishekam 7:15pm Siva Abhishekam 6pm Kalash Sthapan Yugadi/Vishu Kani/ Balaji Abhishekam 2pm Jain Snatra
    [Show full text]
  • “Temple of My Heart”: Understanding Religious Space in Montreal's
    “Temple of my Heart”: Understanding Religious Space in Montreal’s Hindu Bangladeshi Community Aditya N. Bhattacharjee School of Religious Studies McGill University Montréal, Canada A thesis submitted to McGill University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts August 2017 © 2017 Aditya Bhattacharjee Bhattacharjee 2 Abstract In this thesis, I offer new insight into the Hindu Bangladeshi community of Montreal, Quebec, and its relationship to community religious space. The thesis centers on the role of the Montreal Sanatan Dharma Temple (MSDT), formally inaugurated in 2014, as a community locus for Montreal’s Hindu Bangladeshis. I contend that owning temple space is deeply tied to the community’s mission to preserve what its leaders term “cultural authenticity” while at the same time allowing this emerging community to emplace itself in innovative ways in Canada. I document how the acquisition of community space in Montreal has emerged as a central strategy to emplace and renew Hindu Bangladeshi culture in Canada. Paradoxically, the creation of a distinct Hindu Bangladeshi temple and the ‘traditional’ rites enacted there promote the integration and belonging of Bangladeshi Hindus in Canada. The relationship of Hindu- Bangladeshi migrants to community religious space offers useful insight on a contemporary vision of Hindu authenticity in a transnational context. Bhattacharjee 3 Résumé Dans cette thèse, je présente un aperçu de la communauté hindoue bangladaise de Montréal, au Québec, et surtout sa relation avec l'espace religieux communautaire. La thèse s'appuie sur le rôle du temple Sanatan Dharma de Montréal (MSDT), inauguré officiellement en 2014, en tant que point focal communautaire pour les Bangladeshis hindous de Montréal.
    [Show full text]
  • A Religiohistorical Study Davraj Kamal Master Of
    SWAMINARAYAN AND ETHICS; A RELIGIOHISTORICAL STUDY by DAVRAJ KAMAL submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in the subject RELIGIOUS STUDIES at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA SUPERVISOR: PROFESSOR C DU P LE ROUX NOVEMBER 1994 SUMMARY As part of the Phenomenological Method used in this dissertation, the research work applied the hermeneutical concepts of bhakti, karma and moksha. Focus was on the role played by the guru, the sadhus and devotees of the Swaminarayan Movement and how they related t~ their religious, ethical and social obligations. Their responses to ethical scriptures were evaluated, especially with a view to determining the extent to which ethical injunctions permeates, enhances, uplifts and shapes the adherents spiritually,morally and socially. Swaminarayan ethics was also placed within the context of Classical Hindu Texts and in particular, the work of Ramanuja and his Vishistadvaita philosophy. Further, it has been observed that the quest for the Ultimate Reality (Purushottam) is through their relationship with Akshar, Guru Pramukh Swami, the model of ethical excellence whose charisma binds the fibre of the Movement and his role serves both the ethical and transcendental plane of the Movement. TITLE OF DISSERTATION: SWAMINARA Y AN AND ETHICS; A RELIGIOHISTORICAL STUDY KEY TERMS: SAMPRADAYA; AKSHAR; PURUSHOTTAM; DHARMA; BHAKTI; MOKSHA; KARMA; SADHU; JNAN; VAIRAGYA; VISISHTHADVAITA; ATMAN-BRAHMAN; VARNASIIRAMA; ASIIRAMA. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS There are a number of people without whom the completion of this dissertation would not have been possible. Firstly, I wish to thank Sagie and Vino Moodley fo~ typing the dissertation with efficiency and pride. I am also immensely grateful to Pranesh Sewpershad and Ray Naguran for assisting with the correction of errors.
    [Show full text]