The Nature of ParaiyarDalit Devotion in Tamil Nadu

Possession and Embodiment of Deity

Abstract

The emotions ‘loyalty’, ‘love’ and ‘care’ which are attached to devotion are shifted to a metaphysical stance by Religion. It is always an aspiration to something which is beyond human boundaries. Although, it is a connect between human, earthly to gods, divine, there are modes to attach oneself to the divine through devotion. One of these modes of devotion is the nature of possession in worshipping Dalit deities in Tamil Nadu. Dalit deities are gods which are not recognized by Hindu pantheon but worshipped by Dalits. Possessions are states when a devotee is embodied by the deity, he/she is devoted to. It is a state when human and divine coincide a single flesh. Many forms of possessions are institutionalized with an inherited status of the devotee who is claimed to be the bearer of a deity, purity of heart with sexual purity are the primary criteria along the devotion to be possessed. Although suspicion to this mode is evident, communal belief and faith of their own deities have helped them form a unique identity for Dalits. Whether the devotion is true or not or what is nature of this devotion is the primary focus of this paper.

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