Role of Temples

TEMPLES :

When I went through my friend’s blog, narrating the travail and tribulations he underwent when he visited a famous temple, my mind set thinking about the status of temples in our history and it’s role in the society.

The Great Tamil poetess Avvaiyar( ஔவையார்)  had told “ Kovillila Ooril Kudiyirukka VeNdam” (கோவிலில்லா  ஊரில் குடி இருக்க வேண்டாம்) meaning “ Do not stay in a place where there is no temple” 

We can appreciate the above statement if one analyse the role played by temples in the day to day life of  our ancestors..

·     Temples were built by either Kings or very wealthy people who had the resources not only to build the temple but also maintain it  in the long run. Many Kings constructed huge temples with most advanced technology prevailed at that time to establish his achievement in the annals of History. Temples were constructed in difficult terrains like on the crest of a huge mountain, inside a thick forest, or at the sea shore to prove their mettle. 

·     Generally by the side of the temple, a pond was also dug, acting as safe storage of potable water for the temple as well as for villager’s need even during summer. Because of the fear of God, no one dared to misuse the pond there by ensuring purity of the water for public use.

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·     The temple had  yearly festival called “Theppath Thiruvizha” (தெப்பத் திருவிழா) where in, the presiding deity installed on a decorated barge (floating wooden platform)  pulled along  the the inner periphery of the pond providing grand sight to the worshippers gathered around the pond. To enable the platform to float freely, the pond had to be cleaned up every year of all accumulated settled sediments through  desilting by public. BY this,  water  purity was maintained.This, incidentally enabled the pond to hold more water during rainy season thus conserving water resource throughout the year. Temples were spread across many villages provided with ponds and other basic facilities. With this sort of network of ponds, the underground water table was maintained at high level.

  Throughout the year, temple festivals were held, attracting public in and around the village helping improved social interaction and foster feeling of belonging. This also helped small time merchants in improving their sales of many products like ornaments, cloths, flowers, toys for children and other merchandise. 

·      Fertile land and money were bequeathed in the name of temple through which lot of philanthropic activities like distribution of free food on a daily basis and Clothes and other essential items to  poor and needy on special occasions were routinely carried out.

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·         Almshouse (சத்திரம்) was built near the temple to enable the poor and the travellers to stay and have food and rest during their journey during their travel from one place to another. This assumes great significance in the light of non existence of hotel or any other facility during  that period and the mode of travel was either by foot or by bullock cart.

·         Devotees used to make large quantity of food item and bring to the temple for distribution to the poor. The person who offered it took  very small quantity home called “ prasadam”  ( meaning the food blessed by God) leaving the bulk quantity for distribution to the poor. In those days, enough care was taken to prepare  the item with best ingredients . However,  taste wise it was made as bland as possible. This  was done intentionally so that only real hungry people who are in dire  need could consume it.

·        All disputes in the village were heard in public, by the village chief / officials, in the temple premises to bring the  fear of God sentiment,  in delivering impartial judgement. Hence it acted as a court of justice.

·         Temple facilitated families with eligible boys and girls to meet and settle marriage proposals. It was also acted as a meeting place for like minded friends and individuals who discussed many subjects and played the role of modern clubs.

·        In building a temple, expertise in civil construction, sculpture, architecture and other fine arts like drawing/ painting  were utilized to the fullest extent making it as official record  of exhibiting the culture and the talent prevailed at that time for the generations to come. It encouraged artisans to showcase their talents and get huge rewards from the king. 

·         Temple was equipped with park and open space for public to meet and spend the leisure time.

·         Temple Bells were rung at specific time and acted as a public clock informing villagers the time of the day. 

·     Temple invariably was equipped with a chariot for the deity. There used to be  a procession every year through main roads of the village with Deity onboard. The chariot was to be pulled by hand by the public and it was an unwritten law that the chariot should reach back to temple  with in the day lest it would invite the wrath of the god. Hence, the public irrespective of their status participated in pulling the cart. They also took particular care to mend all main roads in best condition helping the public in general. The chariot had to be maintained in perfect condition so as to withstand the stress and strain of the travel. 

·       Regular discourses of classics were done by the learned, inculcating moral values of life thus shaping the public towards high thinking and best character. 

·    It acted as centre of excellence for promoting fine arts like folk and classical  music, drama, dance and sculpture and acted  as a platform for budding artists to premiere their talent before turning in to professionals. Great artists also showcased  their talents to entertain and public. It acted as modern sabha / clubs / theater. It also provided a platform for the learned to discuss and debate many topics of interest in pursuit of excellence.
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     In Temples, sensitive subjects even like sex between man and woman were taught to public  indirectly through sculptures.   

·      emple walls were utilised for inscribing the history and the literary contribution of poets and scholars and became a permanent record for posterity. It acted as centre for debates among learned. This also were utilised to premier great works of literature in grand functions and encouraged by the king and the wealthy  through huge gifts and recognition.

·          ,Temple provided regular employment  for small traders, cooks, gardeners, farmers, priests, janitors, artisans  and many others in different fields of work.

·    Temples premises acted as a shelter for the sick, old, children and women during war period or natural calamities like flood. There was prevailing law not to pull down a temple or harm the people inside.
      
    Temples were also used to safeguard treasures. In olden days Kings used to store gold and other precious items in underground secret chambers to save them from enemies. As  place of worship it was not easily accessible to general public. 

Temples were spread all over India and public invariably try to visit as many as possible according to popularity of the temple. They used to  visit same temple of their preference many times which gave them happiness and peace of mind. This pilgrimage improved tourism and fostered friendship and social interaction between different parts of India. This also attracted foreign tourists to visit and learn our language and culture. Location of temples varied from top of mountains, sea shores, river banks, or dense forest. This motivated many devotees to combine pilgrimage tourism with pleasure. They indulged in taking  holy dips and swimming  in rivers, sea, trekking over mountains, and adventure trips through forest.

The worship provide solace and comfort and brought hope during difficult time of their life. The head of the temple acted as councilor providing comfort through advice. Public took advice from wise men of the temple who played the role of modern councilors saving the distressed from depression and anxiety during difficult time.    

Like any good system Temples over a period of time were also  misused by the powerful for their selfish gain. Temples and God's name were exploited to  suppress the under privileged, leading to  avoidable practices like discrimination of people by cast , social status etc which can not be defended. The fact remains that even now we are not able to eradicate this social evil. Some have used Temples and religion  to spread superstition, and played politics in the name of God to wield power.

Ram Manohar Lohia The great fire brand socialist once remarked 

POLITICS IS SHORT TERM RELIGION  and 

RELIGION IS LONG TERM POLITICS

Inspite of shortfalls, no one can deny the  vital role played by temples in the daily walk of life  in olden days. Even in modern era with advanced technology in transport, communication   the system had grown to cater to the demands of millions across the world bringing them peace of mind and saving them from depression due to pressure exerted by the modern life style.