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 ...
Sivabrahmanas
The Sivabrahmanas were another category of priestly class employed in the Saiva temples.[1] They acted as chief priests, conducted worship, supervised ceremonial rituals and looked after other administrative works. Special offerings and worships were also performed by them.[2] For this purpose, cattle,[3] money[4] and gold[5] were endowed to them. To meet the various offerings, donations were made in the name of the temples. These were left under the protection of the priests.
Thus it is evident mat donations were left in the protection of the Sivabrahmanas[6] as well as the temple treasury. In case of money gift,[7] it appears that they should invest the money by lending out for interest. The interest amount was to be utilized for various services. The various duties discharged by them are attested to by several records.[8] They agreed to undertake those different endowments made over to the temples. Land and gold were left under their care and control.[9]
Footnotes and references:
[2]:
K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, Op.Cit.,p. 489.
[3]:
S.I.I., Vol. XXVIII, No. 1717.
[4]:
Unpublished Inscription., See Appendix, No. 1.
[5]:
A.R.E.,74 of 1919.
[6]:
A.R.E.,76 of 1919.
[7]:
A.R.E.,70 of 1919.
[8]:
Ibid.,
[9]:
Ibid.,