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...
The Siva Brahmanas
The Brahmanas attached to the Siva Temples are called Siva Brahmanas.[1] They were the officiating priests who offered worship in Siva temple and received remuneration for performing services like helping in lighting lamps, food offering and in the procession of the deities during festivals. There are inscriptional evidences regarding Siva Brahmanas in the Chola period. An inscription referred to Sivabhramana as Koyiludan in taking care of the donation of the land for burning a lamp.[2]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Edgar Thurston, Caste and Tribes of Southern India, Vol. I, Madras, 1909, p.269.
[2]:
A.R.E., 247 of 1938-1939.