Introduction: Munnur Temple Economy

The rulers of the medieval Tamil Country built a number of temples and convert old structure into stone and housed their Gods there.^[1] As a result of this bhakthi movement, many temples, big or small, have sprung up in several parts of the country. The Bhakti movement and their religious activities that ushered in led to a great religious awakening during 6^th century A.D. The Nayanmars, the Saiva Saints, and the Alvars, the Vaishnava Saints, propagated intense religious faith, bhakti cult and promote the temple construction. For the maintenance of these temples and its ritualistic, routine activities much amount was required. The needed money was mobilized by various ways and means. When a wide spectrum of temples sprang up and their activities increased, it resulted in the steady rise in the temple construction including Munnur temples.

As the temple is a common institution of both the rulers and the ruled, the people, involved themselves in the activities of these temples. The rulers, officials and the individuals donated either land or money or animals for burning perpetual lamps and other necessary requisites for conducting daily pujas, special pujas and annual festivals. Thus these temples were maintained by the patronage of rulers, chieftains and public. The sources of income of Munnur temples included villages, lands, tax-exemptions, gifts in the form of cash, sheep^[2] and other miscellaneous sources. Large donations were made perhaps to promote their religious sects and to get their fulfillment of vows.^[3]

The royal clan, chieftains, officials and individuals made lavish endowments both in kind and cash either to attain spiritual merit, atone for their sins or as a part of their fulfillment of certain views. A study of the hitherto available inscriptions of this temple reveals how the Munnur temples both Adavalleswarar temple and Arulala Perumal temple mobilized resources for its maintenance.