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Much has changed for the priests at the Minakshi Temple, one of the most famous Hindu temples in India. In The Renewal of the Priesthood, C. J. Fuller traces their improving fortunes over the past 25 years. This fluidly written book is unique in showing that traditionalism and modernity are actually reinforcing each other among these priests, a process in which the state has played a crucial role. Since the mid-1980s, growing urban affluence has seen more people spend more money on rituals in the Minakshi Temple, which is in the southern city of Madurai. The priests have thus become better-off, and some have also found new earnings opportunities in temples as far away as America. During the same period, due partly to growing Hindu nationalism in India, the Tamilnadu state government's religious policies have become more favorable toward Hinduism and Brahman temple priests. More priests' sons now study in religious schools where they learn authoritative Sanskrit ritual texts by heart, and overall educational standards have markedly improved. Fuller shows that the priests have become more "professional" and modern-minded while also insisting on the legitimacy of tradition. He concludes by critiquing the analysis of modernity and tradition in social science. In showing how the priests are authentic representatives of modern India, this book tells a story whose significance extends far beyond the confines of the Minakshi Temple itself.

Mīnākṣī (Hindu deity) --- Priests, Hindu --- Cult --- Maturai Aruḷmiku Mīṉāṭci Cuntarēsvarar Ālayam. --- Madurai (India) --- Religious life and customs. --- Mīnākṣī (Hindu deity) - Cult - India - Madurai. --- Priests, Hindu - India - Madurai. --- Madurai (India) - Religious life and customs. --- Mīnākṣī (Hindu deity) --- Hindu priests. --- Hindu priests --- Cult. --- Maturai Aruḷmiku Mīn̲āṭci Cuntarēsvarar Ālayam. --- Maturai Aruḷmiku Mīn̲āṭci Cuntarēsvarar Ālayam --- India --- Priests --- Meenakshi (Hindu deity) --- Hindu goddesses --- Madurai, India (City). --- Madurai (India). --- Madurai Temple --- Meenakshi Amman Kovil --- Meenakshi Amman Temple --- Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple --- Meenakshi Temple (Madurai, India) --- Meenakshisundareswarar Temple (Madurai, India) --- Minaksi Temple (Madurai, India) --- Mīn̲aṭci Cuntarēsvarar Ālayam (Madurai, India) --- Shri Minakshi Sundareswar Temple (Madurai, India) --- Sri Meenakshisundareswarar Temple (Madurai, India) --- Tiru-aalavaai --- Madura (India) --- Madurai, India (City) --- Mathurai (India) --- Maturai (India) --- Bharat --- Bhārata --- Government of India --- Ḣindiston Respublikasi --- Inde --- Indië --- Indien --- Indii︠a︡ --- Indland --- Indo --- Republic of India --- Sāthāranarat ʻIndīa --- Yin-tu --- インド --- هند --- Индия --- Agamas. --- Agamic education. --- Agamic schools: Allur. --- Besant, Annie. --- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). --- Chidambaram temple. --- Congress Party. --- Dakshinamurti. --- Dharma Rakshana Sabha. --- Ekamranatha temple. --- French Institute of Pondicherry. --- Gopalan, Rama. --- Hindu nationalism. --- Hindu reformism. --- Justice Party. --- Kalugumalai temple. --- Kumbeshwara temple, land, tax-free grants of. --- Minakshi Temple. --- Minakshi and Sundareshwara. --- Murugan (Skanda, Subrahmanya). --- Mylapore Group. --- Nayaka kings. --- Non-Resident Indians (NRI). --- Parashakti. --- Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). --- Sarasvati. --- Subramania Aiyar, S. --- Tamil archanas. --- Tirupati temple. --- Tirupparankundram temple. --- Tiruvannamalai temple. --- Tiruvarur temple. --- Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). --- anti-Brahmanism. --- economic liberalization. --- middle class. --- modernity and traditionalism. --- neo-Shaivism.