Guests at God's Wedding: Celebrating Kartik among the Women of BenaresThis fascinating look at the sacred Hindu month of Kartik (October–November) as it is celebrated in the city of Benares in North India highlights Kartik-related practices, stories, songs, and experiences particular to women. During Kartik, Hindu women living in and around Benares meet daily to enact a form of ritual worship, or puja, in which they raise the playful Hindu deity Krishna from childhood to adulthood throughout the month, ultimately marrying him to the plant-goddess Tulsi (Basil). Tracy Pintchman explores how women who perform Kartik puja understand and celebrate both Kartik and Krishna in ways that are linked to the desires, hopes, fears, and social realities characteristic of many Hindu women living in the rather conservative social milieu of this region. |
Common terms and phrases
Amla Ashvin asked auspiciousness bathing Benares Benarsi Bhagavata Purana Bhishma Bhishmapancak bride celebration child churning context culture deity Delhi demons describes divine Diwali dūlhā embodies erotic female full moon Ganges River gender goddess gods gopis Govardhan groom Hindu women husband icons India informants Jalandhara janeū Kakar Kartik Mahatmyas Kartik pūjā Kartik Purnima Kartik votaries Kartik vrat Kartik's light KMPP KMSP Krishna kṛṣṇ Kusumlata Lakshmi lamps light fortnight līlā male marriage married maternal month of Kartik mother narrative nectar night observances ocean of milk offer old lady Padma Purana palanā Pancaganga Ghat Parijata tree participate in Kartik perform practice pūjā circle Radha rāsa-līlā relationships religious ritual role Rukmini sakhi sakhīs Sanskrit sexual Shiva singing sītā Skanda Purana social song spiritual story temple tend Tulsi Tulsi Ghat Vaikunth Vaishnava versions Vishnu wedding woman worship Yama
Popular passages
Page xii - Guests at God's Wedding: Celebrating Kartik among the Women of Benares. Albany: State University of New York Press, forthcoming. — . 'The Month of Karttik as a Vaisnava Mahotsav. Mythic Themes and the Ocean of Milk.