Page:Ancient Temples Of Tamilnadu.pdf/12

Of the various temples in Tamil Nadu, those of Siva and Vishnu are the largest in number. Of the two, Siva temples outnumbered those of Vishnu. It is said that there are 1008 temples dedicated to Siva while there are only 108 dedicated to Vishnu. Of course some temples included in the number are outside Tamil Nadu. Besides there are 2 or 3 Jain temples. Vishnu is worshipped only in the form of idols or images. The ten avatars of Lord Vishnu are worshipped, especially those of Kirshna and Rama. In the temples of Siva, the sivalinga is the moola vigraha or the main image in the sanctum sanctorum. Besides, there are also the figures of the Goddess and other deities. All these are carved in stones. Moreover in both Siva and Vishnu temples there are many idols moulded in metals to be taken out for procession. Many are the poets who sang in honour of the various deities. The devotees of Siva are called nayanmars while those of Vishnu are called alwars. The songs sung by both classes are steeped in genuine religious fervour, besides being highly poetical. They lived between the third century and the tenth century. The small temples immortalised in their songs later came to be rebuilt on a grand scale by the great rulers of Tamil Nadu, in order to facilitate the ever growing number of devotees, who came to the temples.

There is an interesting theory regarding the history of temples in Tamil Nadu. In ancient times the public used to assemble in every village at a particular place in order to discuss the needs of the village and the grievances of the public. Besides, such places of congregation also served as courts of justice to punish the offender. The meeting of the village public almost always took place under a tree. The good and revered men of the village assembled in the shades cast by the thick foliage of a big tree and passed verdicts; and the public began attaching a certain sanctity to the very place. They felt that God reveals Himself there and enables them to lead a peaceful and happy life. Naturally none dared to utter a lie there; none dared to nurse a guilty thought. They expected, the good men of the village to award justice in all equity and fairness. Thus justice is adminstered in the very presence of God under the tree; naturally the tree and its vicinity came to be looked upon as the most sanctified place in the village. The pipal tree (Arasamaram) and the neem tree (the veepamaram) were the most honoured ones and even today we find such trees being worshipped in Tamil Nadu. Gradually the images of Gods or Goddesses came to be installed under such sancitified trees and even in the middle ages the people felt that God chooses to dwell more under the trees than in the temples. After the third sangam period during the second and third centuries marked by the appearance of the epics like the Silappadikaram, small temples were built of brick and mortar around the sanctified trees.