Temples: Role and Influence (Introduction)

Temples reflect a well developed civilization. A number of temples or temple-sites are located in the Kaveri region. So an account of temples is found befitting here. The temple has had an enduring ideological importance in Indian history, which makes it the central focus of historical processes like religion, social, economic and political activities. Temples came to be the legitimating institution of the ruling elite, the king in particular, who acquired legitimacy and tried to convey the authority through the temple and its symbolism. As a super ordinate institution, the temple acted as an integrating force for organizing society, economy and polity. In effect as a miniature cosmos, it symbolized the territory controlled by a ruling dynasty. It also needs to be understood that the temple being integral to these process is inseparably linked to the development of religion, sectarian traditions, society, economy and polity.

History of mankind has shown that man cannot live without God. “If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent him” declared Voltaire. Belief in God, in a cosmic power or cosmic law, in a super human spirit or Being is basic to all cultures. As the human race progressed, the temple became pivotal because it served as a sacred meeting place for the community to congregate and revitalize their spiritual energies. Large temples were usually built at picturesque places, especially on river banks, on top of hills, and on the sea shore. Smaller temples or open air shrines can crop up first about anywhere -by the road side or even under the tree.^[1]

How and when was the first temple took its birth is to anybody’s guess. Temples did not seem to exist during the Vedic Period. The main object of worship was fire that stood for God. This holy fire was lit on a platform in the open air under the sky, and oblations were offered to the fire. It is not certain when exactly the Indo Aryans first started building temples for worship. The scheme of building temples was perhaps a concomitant idea of idol worship.

God can be malevolent as well as benevolent in nature. It is important that the temple sight symbolize God is one that will exhilarate him. The Puranas state that the “The God always plays near the rivers and mountains and springs”. Sacred sites in India therefore, are usually associated with water. Shades of trees and lakes of India are often considered to be sacred and they are considered to have heeling and purifying powers.

Concept of Temple

The gradual development of Mahayanism and Hinduism are evidences for the erection of temples because Mahayana produced figural representation of Lord Buddha and Bodhisattavas which needed sacred places for worship.^[2]

Evolution of Temples

In the early ages temples were not constructed but only huts were provided which later on evolved till they become solid structures. During the inclination towards Brahmanism, the Hindu Gods needed a place for exhibition. They thus provided simple solid structures to shelter the sacred place for worship. During Gupta rule solid stone blocks were used to construct temples. After this stage, the rituals became more complex. Hence it required more deities and sculptures because of which the temples became larger in size with more elements.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Saradhamani, M., Historical Sites and Monuments along the River Noyyal (South India) Megalithic Period to Medieval Age-A Study, Ph.D., Thesis, Bharathiar

[2]:

Kanakasabhai, V., The Tamils Eighteen Hundred Years Ago, Reprint, New Delhi, 1979, p 232.