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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| Format: | Article |
| Publication date: | 2016 |
| Country: | España |
| Institution: | Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona |
| Repository: | Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB |
| Language: | English |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:ddd.uab.cat:149118 |
| Online Access: | https://ddd.uab.cat/record/149118 https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.5565/rev/indialogs.41 |
| Access Level: | Open access |
| Keyword: | Blood sacrifice Hinduism Self-mutilation Goddess Shakti Kangra Himachal pradesh Sacrificio sangriento Hinduismo Automutilación Diosa |
| Summary: | 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. |
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