The temples as land lords and local treasures

The Chola rule was the Silver age of Saivism. The Cholas followed the tradition of the Pallavas and enforced the Varnashrama dharma in Tamil Country. To enforce Hinduism they constructed several new temples and renovated several old temples throughout their empire, based on agama prescription. Since Vijayalaya Chola almost all the Chola rulers considered the new construction of the temples and renovation of old temples as part of their administration. Therefore the Chola monarchs donated huge wealth^[1] in the form of livestock,^[2] gold,^[3] money^[4] and land.^[5] They considered its service to God and religion. For instance a record^[6] dated during the 11^th regnal year (A.D.1146) of Kulottunga II mentions that the donor donated one ma^[7] of land half kani land was donated to the temple for the which was purchased by the amount of 12 kasu.^[8]

The land donation to the temples was generally known as devadana. In these temples, the Brahmanas were appointed to conduct regular religious rites rituals, pujas and ceremonies. For instance a record^[9] of Rajaraja II issued in his 14^th regnal year (A.D.1163) mentions that a gift of nine gold coins were entrusted to Siva Brahmanas^[10] of Kaniyalar^[11] who were special priests to conduct the religious rites, rituals and abhisekhas to the principal deity of Munnur. It reveals that among the Siva Brahmanas the Kaniyailars were special priests who were entitled to conduct the religious rites and abhisekhas rituals to the primal deity and they had their settlements nearer to the temple. Besides one more record^[12] of Rajaraja II issued in his 18^th regnal year mentions a gift of land by one Naradi Aradan Panthiruvan Kana Rajendra Chola Kooru^[13] and a gift of 16cows by one Ramanatha Rajendra Chola Kooru for burning a perpetual lamp of the Presiding deity. It says that they were the Revenue Officials in Munnur region.

In addition to Chola officials a record^[14] of Rajaraja III issued in his 18^th regnal year (A.D.1235) mentions that three Devadasis viz., Devarandal Thavamseithal, Thaiya Mulavaithiyal and Nemali Semmukkal^[15] belong to Dinasindhamani^[16] of Nadu Nadu donated certain amount of land and three perpetual lamps to the presiding deity. It indicates their importance on this temple and they were also provided with endowments like lands, gold and cows for the regular rituals^[17] and pujas of the temple.

Moreover the Chola rulers spent the major portion of state income for construction of new temples^[18] and maintenance of old^[19] temples as well. Moreover, they were also enormously provided with huge endowments for the regular ritualistic pujas and maintenance of the temple.^[20] Therefore these temples possessed huge wealth in the form of movable properties viz., gold, gold ornaments, precious stones, vessels, idols, etc and immovable property viz., lands, buildings, etc. The revenue of the temple lands was kept preserved in the temple treasury itself.

As these temples developed, the position of the Brahmins also became stronger. Thus the temple acted as landlord and treasury. Besides, the chieftains and the regent also donated lands to the temple. For instance a record^[21] of Kulottunga III dated in his 33^rd regnal year (A.D.1200) mentions the gift of certain amount of land to the Principal deity by the Chieftain Kadavarayan Kudal Alapiranthan Azhagiya Pallavan. Besides, a record of Narasinga Devar^[22] the regent of Vijayanagar ruler^[23] mentions a gift of land for burning the Thiruvilakku^[24] of Arulala Perumal temple by one Annamarasar^[25] the Governor of Vijayanagar ruler in Oima Nadu region.

In addition to that a record of Dakshina Kapileswara Kumaran son of Ambiviran the Gajapathi ruler issued in the saka year 1386 (A.D.1464) mentions a gift of certain amount of land in the village Munnur except the Devadana, Thiruvilaattam^[26] and Kanniatchi by a special sasna for the maintenance of the Adavalleswarar temple at Munnjur. Moreover one more record^[27] of Saluva Narasimha udaiyar the regent of Vijayanagar ruler mentions a gift of land. In addition to that a record^[28] of Rajaraja III issued in his 15^th regnal year registers a gift of land and gold coins. The donations were entrusted to temple Siva Brahmanas of the temple viz., a gift of 4 ma of land by one Kamalakara Pattan^[29] the temple chief priest, a gift of 1/2 ma of land to Uzhugai Bhattan^[30] a gift of 13 gold coins^[31] Sri Ranganatha Pattan^[32] and burning of santhi lamp to one Iswara KuthadiPattan and Kankaniyar.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Tamil Nattu Varalattru Asiriyar Kuzhu, Tamil Nattu Varalaru, Part II, Chennai, 2000, p.11.

[2]:

Unpublished Inscription. See. Appendix No. 1., and also A.R.E., 61 of 1919.

[3]:

A.R.E., 76 of 1919.

[4]:

A.R.E., 85 of 1919 and also S.I.I. Vol. 12, No. 161.

[5]:

A.R.E., 65 of 1919.

[6]:

Ibid.,

[7]:

Ibid.,

[8]:

Ibid.,

[9]:

A.R.E., 76 of 1919.

[10]:

Ibid.,

[11]:

Ibid.,

[12]:

A.R.E., 70 of 1919.

[13]:

Ibid.,

[14]:

A.R.E., 55 of 1919.

[15]:

Ibid.,

[16]:

Ibid.,

[17]:

Ibid.,

[18]:

A.R.E., 65 of 1919.

[19]:

A.R.E., 71 of 1919 and also 64 of 1919.

[20]:

A.R.E., 57 of 1919.

[21]:

A.R.E.,

[22]:

Ibid.,

[23]:

A.R.E., 57 of 1919.

[24]:

Ibid.,

[25]:

Ibid.,

[26]:

Ibid.,

[27]:

A.R.E., 53 of 1919.

[28]:

A.R.E., 74 of 1919.

[29]:

Ibid.,

[30]:

Ibid.,

[31]:

Ibid.,

[32]:

Ibid.,