Gold reserve of a Temple

On special occasions or special auspicious days the temple was visited by a larger number of pilgrims, especially on the days of special worship or ceremonies when all the ornaments used to bedeck the idol put up on display. This further added to the temple income by attracting offerings. The donations of Gold coins remained as other forms of wealth. The devotion of the people often found expression in making gift of gold coins, to the Primal deity for the daily worship.

While the revenue from the temple land was not dependable due to flood and drought, the income from gold was dependable. Gold reserve of a temple enhanced its economy, prestige and wealth. Gift of gold was another way of enhancing temple economy. For gold, as a movable property of much value, was more reliable also. The ever-increasing price of gold and its standard value boosted the financial viability. Inscriptions furnish donation of gold to the Primal deity Adavalleswarar of Munnjur.

For instance a record^[1] of Chola King Rajaraja II issued in his 14^thregnal year (A.D.1163) registers that a business man Kadavuzhon Devan Udaiyan of Rajasinghapuram of Thirumunaipadi Nadu donated a gift of nine gold coins for burning a santhi lamp to Sri Mulasthana Udaiya^[2] the presiding deity of the Adavalleswarar temple. Besides the records refers to the gift to nine gold coins and the same was entrusted to Kaniyalar the priest who conducted the rituals ceremonies and pujas to the Principal deity. They agreed to burn the santhi lamp without fail in the month of karthigai on the auspicious karthigai star day. Thus, much of the gold that was deposited in the temple was for the purpose of lamp service.

The development of Munnur Adavalleswarar temple by Rajaraja II^[3] is revealed by his third epigraph. Issued in his 15^thregnal year (A.D.1164) is found on the western side wall of the Mahamandapa of the shrine. One Ariyan Andan Kamalakara Bhattan setup an image of Vishveswara Devar on the western side of the prakara of this temple complex as a parivara deity. Further this record mentions the gift of nine gold coins for burning the santhi lamp in every day in this sub-shine. The expressionPrathishttai^[4] is identified with the construction of the sub–shrine of Vishveswarar during the time of Rajendra II. From this it is clear that the Brahmin Bhattar in the name of his royal patron Chola Rajaraja II (consecrated) established a Vishveswarar image in the Parivara Alaya as a Parivara deity. After its construction, gold coins were entrusted to the Siva Brahmans to conduct the rituals and burning the santhi lamp every day to the Vishveswarar sub-shine of the temple.

Gold endowments served as a reserve fund source to the temples. It was used for making ornaments, purchasing lands to the temples and even rescues the people from the distress of famine. Further, gold was gifted for the conduct of various festivals. The gold thus donated was deposited mostly in the temple treasury or placed under the control of Devakanme the temple accountant the temple authority Siva Brahmanas of the temple. Gold reserve was taken note of for undertaking certain welfare measures. Money was lent out from the temple treasury against gold reserve.

The temple income sources were mostly in the form of donations of movable and immovable properties. The immovable property of land was duly cultivated and the share of income was received. The movable property of gold was kept as a reserve and various measures were undertaken to increase the income of the temple. The village assemblies, Kings the temple authorities and the common people too took keen interest in keeping the regular maintenance of the temples by providing much income to them. From the above study, it is learnt that the temples of Munnur had various sources of income during the medieval period. They were the endowments of villages, land, tax-exemptions, gift of livestock, kasu, gold and other forms. They greatly helped the conduct of daily services in the temples without fail and also to undertake certain welfare measures. All these measures helped the flow-in and flow-out of money, which enhanced the prestige of the temple.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

A.R.E., 76 of 1919.

[2]:

Ibid.,

[3]:

Ibid.,

[4]:

A.R.E., 72 of 1919.