Articles

Kalighat Temple in Kolkata: Celebrating the Place for Ritualistic Perception and Togetherness

Kalighat Temple is one of the most important places of celebrating ritualistic behaviour of people with diverse socio-economic background. The temple is located at Kolkata (earlier Calcutta) in West Bengal state and is considered as a significant cultural heritage site with the association of the Goddess Kali and the Shakti (Sati) Peetha tradition according to Hindu religious belief. People’s ritualistic perception attached to this temple spread from the temple’s inner sanctum and extends into the wider arena of the entire city.

The present study aims to identify the various aspects related to the nature of infrastructure and also investigate to explore the ritualistic perception that are linked to the religious activities of the Kalighat temple. Based on qualitative method of study, the present research reveals that, the Kalighat Temple represents a different significance for different people with diversity in social groups and economic classes and their continuous interactions and interdependencies. The study also points out that, the temple offers numerous possibilities to local people depending on daily, special and ceremonial temple functions both socially, economically, culturally and spiritually.

Impact the Effect of Shamanism in Modern Society in South Korea

Shamanism is an indigenous Korean faith that incorporates various beliefs and practices influenced by native Korean Buddhism and Taoism. In Korean, shamanism is called mu (무) and practitioners are called mudang (무당). The function of the mudang is usually held by women who make contact (liaison) between gods and humans. Shamans perform gut ceremonies or offerings to perform healing, bring good luck and intercede for gods by means of possession. Gut ceremonies are also held to guide the spirits of the deceased to heaven. This research aims to 1) to reveal the role of shamanism in culture in the midst of modern South Korean society, and 2) to analyze the 1970s when shamanism was going through difficult times. This research used qualitative descriptive that described and analyzed the data in the form of information. The results of this research is presentation about the cultural asset of South Korea, namely shamanism, it is should be maintained because it is very influential on Korean tourism as an ancient ritual even though it is considered not in accordance with the modernization period.