Temples of Munnur (Historical Study)
by R. Muthuraman | 2016 | 67,784 words
This essay represents a historical study of the Temples in and around Munnur, situated in the Dakshina Kannada district in the state Karnataka (India). Munnur is regarded as an important religious city for the followers of both Shaivism and Vaishnavism. The ancient history of Munnur traces to the reign of the Chola, from whom the city derives it's ...
Temples as a place for various administrative officials
The temples served as a place for various administrative officials. For instance a record of Kulottunga II refers to a village grant was recorded by an official known as Nagaron, who was designated as Maheswara Kankani[1] of Munnur temple and he was responsible for execution of the royal orders of the Cholas.
For instance of a record of Kulottunga II reveals that one Arichala Muvendra Vellalan[2] was served as Thirumandira Olai who was received the Royal orders of the Cholas existed in Munnur temple. It also reveals that the deed was registered in variputtaham the register by two officials viz Variyilar, tax assesses and Varikuru, Tax collector. Besides a record of Rajadhiraja II states a royal order which was recorded by one Menavam Muvenda Vellalan an official called Thirumandra Olai. One more record[3] of Kulottunga II dated in his 11th regnal year (A.D.1188) mentions a gift of land by one Balakannan Kaman Thiruvagadeeswarar Mudaiyan. It reveals that the above mentioned Chola official perhaps might have served as a Perundaram (Gazetted) official of the Cholas. In addition a record of Kulottunga III issued in his 30th regnal year A.D. 1207 mentions a gift a land to celebrate the annual festival. This Devadana and its tax free deed was intimated to Revenue Board officials Variyilar and Variputhagam by the Central Revenue Board official Thirumandira olai. This hierarchy of Revenue officials and their systematic duty was revealed by this record. Moreover a record[4] of Rajaraja III issued in his 8th regnal year (A.D.1225) refers to a gift of certain amount of land and its income was used for the urchavar procession by one Udaiyar Nayakkam Orrikondan of Cheyyur Thittachery Udaiyan. It reveals that they might have served as a Perundaram[5] meaning gazetted official of Cheyyur very near to Munnur region.
Further one more record[6] of Rajaraja III issued in his 10th regnal year (A.D.1027) refers to a gift of four cows for burning the santhi lamp by one Suriya Devan Pallavan son of one Kizhavan of Porur under Puliyur Kottam. It reveals that Suriya Devan Pallavan perhaps a Perundaram (Gazetted) official of the Cholas. Another record[7] of Kadava Kopperunjinga II issued in his 3rd regnal year (A.D. 1246) refers to a gift of Devadana by one Azhagiya Pallavan Viranarayana Kachirayan an official of Kopperunjinga II. The record also reveals that the Government official alone empowered to give certain tax income for conducting the daily puja, food offerings and permanent maintenance of the temple. The taxes were Thari Iray. Thattar Bhattam, Chekku Kadamai, Vaniyarper Kadamai and Tharagu Bhattam.[8] Besides a record[9] of Kadava Kopperunjinga II in his 12th regnal year registers a gift of 750 Kuli land for burning 10 santhi lamps from evening to mid night by one Madavan Kulottunga Chola Vellalan a government official of Amber region. This huge amount of land donations might have empowered to given only by the high officials of the Cholas. Thus the temples of Munnur served as a place for various administrative officials.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
A.R.E.,75 of 1919.
[2]:
Ibid.,
[3]:
A.R.E.,65 of 1919.
[4]:
A.R.E.,59 of 1919.
[5]:
Ibid.,
[6]:
A.R.E.,52 of 1919.
[7]:
A.R.E.,62 of 1919 and also S.I.I. Vol. 12. No. 134.
[8]:
Ibid.,
[9]:
A.R.E.,80 of 1919and also S.I.I. Vol. 12. No. 176.