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 ...
Chathurvedi-mangalam and its administration
The Maha sabha looked after the administration of Chathurvedi-mangalam. The Chinamanur inscription of Pandya Maranjadaiyan[1] and Uttramerur inscription of Parantaka I provide ample information regarding the functioning of Mahasabhas[2] in the respective regions. As member of the Sabhas, the Brahmanas played an important role in polity. The boards were governed by these Sabhas. Brahmanas alone were the members. The Sabha was charged with the work of tax collection, exemption of tax, administration of charitable endowment and maintenance of the temples and Public tanks. The members of the sabha assembled under tree shades or temple halls (mandapas) to make resolutions[3]. For instance an inscription dated during the fifth regnal year of Rajendra I (A.D. 10141044) says that the sabhaiyar of the temple the siva Brahmanas should agreed to maintain the offerings of the donor without fail. We come to know from the inscriptions that the administration of Munnur was carried out by the sabhas of Chathurvedi-mangalam and the Mahasabha. Besides a record of Kulottunga II refers to a village grant was made by the request of one Thillai Nayan Konda Puliandar of Avalanga Visalur. It reveals that this Thillai Nayan might have been either an elderly member of Mahasabha of Munnjur.The sabha[4] members used to honor the Brahmanas by conferring titles and gifts.
One more record dated during the eleventh regnal year (A.D.1146) of Kulottunga II mentions that the donor a Perundaram official, one Palakannan donated one ma and half kani land to newly built Pillaiyar subshrine. For its proper cultivation and proper agricultural production the Sabhaiyar the temple officials, Brahmanas in order to get irrigation they provide two ma of land in addition to the donor’s donation. Thus the temple officials were stood for its agricultural production, yield, proper maintenance and conducting daily rituals. It shows their involvement in temple administration and public irrigation system. Moreover in an instance a record[5] of Kulottunga II dated in his 11th regnal year (A.D.1188) mentions the gift of 10 gold coins by the Mahasabha for the maintenance of public tank of Munnur on special occasions. It reveals the irrigation system, public tank maintenance by the Mahasabha of Munnur.
In this temples the Brahmans were appointed to conduct regular religious rites. For instance a record[6] of Rajaraja II issued in his 14th regnal year (A.D.1163) mentions that a gift of nine gold coins were given to Siva Brahmanas of Kaniyalar who were special priest to conduct the rituals and abhisekhas to the principal deity of Munnur. It reveals that among the Siva Brahmanas the Kaniyalars were special priest who were entitled to conduct the rituals to the primal deity and they had their settlements nearer to the temple. One more record[7] of Kulottunga III issued in his 30th regnal year (A.D.1207) mentions a gift of land entrusted to the temple officials viz kariyamseivar, mahaswara kankani and Devakanme, the temple accountant.
It also reveals their responsibility and execution of the donor without fail.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
A.R.E.,80 of 1919and also S.I.I. Vol. 12. No. 176.
[2]:
Ibid.,
[3]:
A.R.E.,3,4,10 and 19 of 1922.
[4]:
Ibid., 15 of 1922.
[5]:
A.R.E.,69 of 1919.
[6]:
A.R.E.,76 of 1919.
[7]:
A.R.E.,50 of 1919.