MEHENDIPUR BALAJI REVISITED: A DESCRIPTIVE PHENOMENOLOGICAL INQUIRY

S. S. Nathawat, Gayathri Menon

Abstract


The role of faith healing centers in the management of psychiatric conditions has become an integral part of psychotherapy in India. However, there are limited academic ventures trying to explain these practices via a psychological perspective. The present study aimed to explain the Mehendipur Balaji healing tradition by a qualitative exploratory study design using the tool of observation. Data was scrutinized through the strategy of qualitative narrative enquiry. Findings revealed the need of a psychological perspective in understanding faith healing practices along within the healthy accommodation of faith healing to mainstream psychotherapeutic practice.

 

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Mehendipur Balaji Temple, catharsis, faith healing, narrative inquiry

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References


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Kalantri, S. P. (2002). Temple healing: Healing temples may breed superstitions. British Medical Journal, 325(7370), 968.

Nathawat, S., & Menon, G. (2017). Facts and Fiction about Faith Healing as a Psychotherapeutic Intervention: The Indian Scenario. Paripex-Indian Journal of Research, 6(6), 112-114.

Raguram, R., Venkateswaran, A., Ramakrishna, J., & Weiss, M. G. (2002). Traditional community resources for mental health: a report of temple healing from India. Bmj, 325(7354), 38-40.

Satija, D., Singh, D., Nathawat, S., & Sharma, V. (1981). A psychiatric study of patients attending Mehendipur Balaji Temple. Indian journal of psychiatry, 23(3), 247.

Somasundaram, O. (1973). Religious treatment of mental illness in Tamil Nadu. Indian journal of psychiatry, 15(1), 38.




DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejpe.v0i0.1516

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