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 ...

Livestock and Cattle donations

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The Livestock donations and it status of Economy

Several temple records register the gift of sheep, cows, bulls and buffaloes. They were considered valuable property like land or gold. Donations of livestock were the earliest form of contribution to the temples and the livestock donation formed an essential part of the temple economy. They were gifted mostly to burn lamps in temples. Therefore, the possession of flocks of added to the wealth of the temples.

The Cattle donations and its services

Numerous Chola inscriptions relating to gifts of cattle and sheep, testify to the popularity of this kind of charity. The animals given for this purpose gave milk that could be turned into ghee.^[1] The temples received numerous gifts of cattle. These were meant for the provision ghee supply either to light the of perpetual lamps and to provide ghee for the Brahmanas to their midday meals and it is being very common and popular.

For instance three records of Chola Rajendra I found on a pillar which is laying on the prakara of the Adavalleswarar temple registers the gift of sheep to provide ghee daily so that the temple could burn perpetual lamps. The first record^[2] of Rajendra I issued in his fifth regnal year (A.D.) refer to a gift of 90 sheep by one Kutteran Kovan a cultivator of vilivalam^[3] under Nallur Nadu of Venkundra Kottam^[4] to the Sri Mulasthanaththu Paramaswamy of Sri Pandithachola Chathurvedimangalam alias Munnjur.

The second inscription^[5] of Rajendra I refers to a gift of sheep by three temple attendees. It registers a gift of 45 sheep by one Buddhanagan the temple chief attendee for burning 1/2 perpetual lamp and a gift of 45 sheep by one Namputhiyan alias the 21^st attendee of the temple for burning 1/2 perpetual lamp and a gift of 90 sheep by one Sri Padmakeswarar for burning 1 (one) perpetual lamp to the Presiding deity Sri Mulasthanaththu Paramaswamy.

The Third inscription^[6] of Rajendra I mentions a gift of sheep to provide ghee and butter milk to the learned Brahmanas of the temple educational institution. The record states that the donation of 90 sheep for providing ghee to the Brahmanas while taking the midday meal on each day and donate 30 sheep for providing butter milk on twenty fifth Nazhi of each day to the learned Brahmanas of the educational institution of the temple. The record also mentions that the livestock donation was entrusted to the Santhrathiththavar, the temple priest and the same was requested by the Nattiyathan Solainathan who was an official of Nadu Nadu to record the deed on the pillar of the temple.

The wealth of the temple was managed in three ways: directly, by shepherds under an agreement and by village assemblies. But such cases are few, and it seems that the temples preferred to entrust the animals, so gifted to the local shepherds known koilidaiyar in order to avoid expenses on their upkeep and management, especially in cases of large numbers. The sabha or the village assembly also looked after the animals and provided the produce at times. Though the cattle were generally provided for the lamps, there are instances we come across where we find that these were given in order to provide milk, curd, and ghee for general purposes or for the holy bath of the deities.

For instance a record^[7] of Rajaraja III issued in his 10^thregnal year (A.D.1027) records a gift of four cows by one Surriya Devan son of Kizhavan who belongs to Perur village under Puliyur Kottam^[8] for providing ghee to burn a shanthi^[9] lamp to the Primal deity Rajanarayanan Chathurvedimangalathu Udaiyar^[10] alias Sri Mulasthana Mudaiyar^[11] of Munnjur. The record further states that the donation of cows was entrusted to Siva Brahmanas and the lamp service by the Santhrathiththavar,^[12] the special priest of the temple.^[13]

Food offerings were made in great quantities on festival days such as eclipse days,^[14] new moon days,^[15] sankranti days,^[16] and these were called sribali, Although lands were attached to the temple to provide paddy for festivals, at times, food-grains were supplied directly,^[17] apparently to meet the immediate needs of the temple. At times Kings used to make special levies on cultivators to meet such exigencies.

For instance record^[18] of Rajaraja II issued in his 18^thregnal year (A.D.1167) registers a gift of 16 cows^[19] by one Ramanatha Rajendra Chola korru for burning half perpetual lamp to the Presiding deity Sri Narayana Chaurvedhimangalaththu Udaiyar^[20] alias Sri Mulasthana Mudaiyar and remaining half lamp was burn by a land donation from one Naradi Aradan Kana Rajendra Chola Kooru.^[21] This inscription corroborates that donations in the form of livestock were made to keep the temple lamps burning.

Temples obtained specified quantity of ghee and milk from these animals donated. Ghee could be used to burn lamps or to prepare some food offerings to the deity or to provide Brahnmanas for their feeding. Most of these animals were commonly left under the care of the shepherds. Sheep belonging to temple were kept under the protection of several shepherds^[22]. The livestock were also placed under the joint protection of sabha^[23] and Thirukoyiludaiyar.^[24] In certain temples the village assemblies^[25] also engaged themselves in protecting the animals.

Those who were in charge of the livestock had to measure out stipulated quantity of ghee or milk to the respective temples according to the norms fixed in the deed without impediments. Thus, the gift of animals helped the temples maintain their lamp services or food offerings.