Shrine: 2 definitions

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India history
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Introduction:

Shrine means something in the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

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India history and geography

Source: Suomen Antropologi: Sacred Trees among the Tamil people of South India

The shrines of the guardian deities are commonly situated at the entrance of a village. At the core of a shrine there is usually a sacred tree, most often an indigenous species such as a Bodhi (Ficus religiosa), a Banyan (Ficus benghalensis), or a Neem (Azadirachta indica). If the village guardian is male, an image made of stone or clay resides under the tree, sheltered by stone walls and a roof. [...] As a visible sign, a small shrine with the image of the god or goddess, is placed at the foot of the tree which then remains the focus of attention for devotees who regularly gather for pūjās (religious ceremonies). Others just stop by for a moment of prayer when passing. However, should the deity collect a large crowd of devotees, the villagers may build the deity a temple made of concrete or other materials such as stone, clay or wood, whereupon the image of the resident god or goddess is then placed inside the temple and becomes the focus of attention for the devotees as a personification of the deity inhabiting the tree.

Source: Singhi Jain Series: Ratnaprabha-suri’s Kuvalayamala-katha (history)

Shrines (of gods and goddesses of different religions) were prevalent in ancient India, as depicted in the Kathās (narrative poems) such as Uddyotanasūri in his 8th-century Kuvalayamālā (a Prakrit Campū, similar to Kāvya poetry).—Page 82.30: Here is a list of religious establishments of different denominations as mantra-jāpa-maṇḍapa, brāhmaṇa-śālā, rudra-bhavana, dhārmika-maṭha, Home of Kāpālikas, Holy platforms of Yakṣas, Nāgas etc., Brahmanical songs were sung in āvasati, Jinagṛha, Buddhavihāra or Buddhist monasteries, Shrine of goddess Kottavī, Temple of six-headed god Kārttikeya and temple of other deities.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Relevant text

Search found 173 books and stories containing Shrine; (plurals include: Shrines). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Ashta Parivara Devatas < [Chapter XIII - Prasada: Component Parts]

Temples in Erumbur (Urumur) < [Chapter II - Temples of Parantaka I’s Time]

Note on the Three Oldest Rajakesari Inscriptions of Agastyesvaram < [Chapter XIII - Prasada: Component Parts]

+ 83 more chapters / show preview

Temples in Tiruvarur < [Chapter IV - Temples of Rajendra I’s Time]

Amman Shrine < [Tanjavur/Thanjavur (Rajarajesvaram temple)]

Temples in Ambasamudram < [Chapter II - Temples of Rajaraja I’s Time]

+ 85 more chapters / show preview

Sub shrines < [Chapter 4]

Tiruchutrumaligai (Cloister) < [Chapter 4]

Other Images < [Chapter 5]

+ 35 more chapters / show preview