Temples in and around Madurantakam
by B. Mekala | 2016 | 71,416 words
This essay studies the Temples found around Madurantakam, a town and municipality in Kancheepuram (Kanchipuram) District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Madurantakam is one of the sacred holy places visited by Saint Ramanuja. It is also a region blessed with many renowned temples which, even though dating to at least the 10th century, yet they c...
Learning and Schools
There were recitations of sacred hymns in Tamil and Sanskrit in the course of daily worship in the temples and the assemblies sometimes gave shares from the common lands of the village for the maintenance of these services. There were schools of higher learning and so were hospitals.
Endowments of lands as Bharatappuram, for reciting Mahabharata, Tiruppaliyappuram, for reciting Thevaram and Nattuvapuram for the dance master attached to the temple are also known from epigraph.[1]
Every temple mandapa [mandapam] and the foliage of some tall spreading tree were found comfortable enough to hold disquisitions. The recitations of the Vedas, the epics, Tiruppathikam and Thiruvasakam were regularly carried on during the period and numerous endowments, private and royal were made for their maintenance. The same was arranged to the dancers and dance masters by the temples and are also known from epigraphs. One damaged epigraph at Tiruchirappalli, which provided ‘Bhattavritti’ for expounding of the Vedas and for the reading of the ‘Mahabharata’.[2]
The history of Kaveri bears great and important connection with this region from historical times. Many Tamil authors and commentators belonged to this region. It proves the high literary level attained in Kaveri region during the period. Kaveri region has produced great men of learning of that period, which is itself a proof positive of the high state of learning that had been obtained here at that time.[3]
There was a Tamil Sangam that existed in Tiruchirappalli during the ancient period and also a school. Though there is no direct evidences on the spread of literacy as such, there are frequent mention of schools, teachers and scholars maintained by the endowments. The Jain ‘palli’ denotes even today the maintenance of schools. Among the four ‘dhanas’ mentioned by the Jains, Sastra dhana is one, which means to educate the people freely.[4]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
A.R.E., 163 of 1909; 192 of 1920; S.I.I., Vol V, No. 278
[2]:
A.R.E., 176 of 1919; 159 of 1925; 202 of 1912; S.I.I.,Vol. V,No. 233.
[3]:
Arokiaswami,M., op.cit., pp 313-314.
[4]:
Ganesan, M., Pazhankaraiyin Pandaiya Varalaru (Tamil),Pazhankarai, 2008, pp 34-35