Identity Amidst Liminality Performing Religion, Gender, and Spirit Possession at ThaUa Kaiwal Ram

Abstract

Thala Kaiwal Ram is typically a representative case of liminal religious identities of South Asia. As a historical sacred place located in the larger sacred complex of Bilote town, it defies the structuring role of rigid boundaries and borders in the construction of religious identities. As a result, it acts as a shared religious site, which is owned, visited, and revered by both Hindus and local Muslims. This liminal status of Thala Kaiwal Ram is practically produced and maintained through contestation over the religious identity of Kaiwal Ram- the chief Bhakti saint who had founded the place in the late medieval period. Liminality id performed at Thala Kaiwal Ram and the town of Bilote in many other ways. First and foremost, it is invested into the building of sacred landscape which is dominated by the juxtaposition of different religious traditions. Besides its association with Hindu bhakti tradition, the sacred complex is full of Shia iconography as well as practical demonstration of folk religious traditions such as the worship of sacred trees, stones, and snakes. It is also the place known for the performance of Jatra- a healing/music ritual. Thousands of possessed persons visit the place during the spring season to play/ perform Jatra for healing purpose. Liminality is part and parcel of the experience of possession and tripartite structure of healing ritual. The present research work tries to keep this spatial and cultural character of liminality intact by making the choice of situating itself in-between the history of Thala Kaiwal Ram/ Eighth Gadi and doing ethnography.