HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION OF SOCIETAL COHESION IN TAMIL TEMPLES
Main Article Content
V. Biresan
V. Thirumurugan
This article examines the historical role of Tamil temples in shaping the social cohesion of Tamil society from the Sangam era to the Chola and Vijayanagara periods. These temples were not only spiritual centers, but also institutions that played a role in economics, politics, and culture. This research examines how Tamil temples become symbols of cultural and social identity, integrating various levels of society through religious rituals, festivals, and Bhakti practices that emphasize spiritual equality. Additionally, these temples played an important role in the economy by managing land and resources, as well as contributing to the social structure by accommodating various caste groups. This study also explores the religious pluralism that occurs in Tamil Nadu, where Hindus, Jains and Buddhists interact with each other in a tolerant environment. By examining inscriptions and archaeological evidence, this article shows how Tamil temples have been centers of social cohesion, maintained cultural identity, and been a force in the socio-political dynamics of Tamil Nadu throughout history.
L. R. Subramanian. (1992). Early Tamil deities and their associations with nature. Journal of South Asian Studies, 17(2), 125-140. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/xxxxx
G. K. R. Menon. (1997). The ancient temples of Tamil Nadu and their significance in religious worship. Journal of Archaeology and Religious Studies, 24(4), 250-265.
P. R. Natarajan. (1986). Priestesses and ritual practices in Sangam temples: The case of Madurai. Studies in South Asian Religion, 12(2), 123-145.
Ramaswamy, V. (2004). Religious pluralism in ancient Tamilakam: The intermingling of Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and other traditions. Journal of Tamil Studies, 12(3), p. 45-67.
Subrahmanian, V. (1992). The religious and philosophical life of the Sangam period. Tamil Civilization, 1(4), p. 123-135.
Zvelebil, K. (1974). The Tamil cultural heritage: Religion and philosophy. Asian Studies Journal, 6(1), p. 21-36.
Karosima, N. (n.d.). Spiritual cohesion and the role of Tamil temples in society. Journal of South Indian History, 23(2), p. 45-67.
Sastri, N. (1961). The role of temples in the social structure of Tamil society. In Studies in Tamil history and culture (pp. 125-142). Madras University Press.
Aziz, K. K. (n.d.). The cultural role of Chola temples (pp. 45-67). Oxford University Press.
Dikshitar, V. R. R. (n.d.). Bhakti and temple priesthoods: Philosophical critiques (pp. 123-145). Cambridge University Press.
Rajagopal, S. R. (n.d.). Temples as centers of administration and governance in the Later Chola period (pp. 89-102). Sage Publications.
Rajagopal, S. R., & Subrahmanian, C. S. (n.d.). Social cohesion in Tamil temples: The role of caste distinctions and Bhakti (pp. 56-78). Tamil Nadu University Press.
Sastri, A. N. (n.d.). The political dimensions of Tamil temples: Historical perspectives (pp. 32-50). Indian History Society.
Venkatachalapathy, A. R. (n.d.). Temples as centers of religious philosophy in Chola society (pp. 110-130). Penguin Books India.
Rajagopal, S. R., & Subrahmanian, C. S. (n.d.). Social cohesion in Tamil temples: The role of caste distinctions and Bhakti (pp. 56-78). Tamil Nadu University Press.
Sastri, A. N. (n.d.). The political dimensions of Tamil temples: Historical perspectives (pp. 32-50). Indian History Society.
Venkatachalapathy, A. R. (n.d.). Temples as centers of religious philosophy in Chola society (pp. 110-130). Penguin Books India.
Rajagopal, S. R. (n.d.). Temples and political power in the Later Chola period (pp. 56-78). Sterling Publishers.
Sastri, A. N. (n.d.). The political, cultural, and economic roles of temples in Chola society (pp. 32-50). Indian History Society.
Ramaswamy, V. (2007). Historical dictionary of the Tamils (pp. 45-67). Scarecrow Press. p.23
Rothermund, D. (1993). An economic history of India: From pre-colonial times to 1991(Reprinted ed., pp. 12-34). Routledge.
Sadarangani, N. M. (2004). Bhakti poetry in medieval India: Its inception, cultural encounter and impact (pp. 78-92). Sarup & Sons.
Sakhuja, V., & Sakhuja, S. (2009). Rajendra Chola I's naval expedition to South-East Asia: A nautical perspective. p.65
Spuler, B. (1975). Handbook of Oriental studies, Part 2. BRILL. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004041905
Stein, B. (1980). Peasant state and society in medieval South India. Oxford University Press. p. 34
Stein, B. (1998). A history of India. Blackwell Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470999197
Vasudevan, Geeta (2003), Royal Temple of Rajaraja: An Instrument of Imperial Cola Power, Abhinav Publications, p. 32
Nagasamy, R. (1970), Gangaikondacholapuram, State Department of Archaeology, Government of Tamil Nadu
Singh, Upinder (2008), A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century, Pearson Education India, p. 48
South Indian Inscriptions. (n.d.). Archaeological Survey of India (Vol. X)