LAND GRANTS TO TEMPLES UNDER THE PALLAVAS

Abstract

In the early Pallava period the royal land donations made to the Brahmins is comparatively more than that to the temple. The Pallavas, Pandyas and the Cholas welcomed the Brahmin migrants to Tamilnadu from various parts of India and made enormous gifts to them. Only scanty information is available regarding the other sections of the society. One of the greatest sovereigns of the Pallava dynasty, was a Jain, later converted to Saivism by Appar. He erected a temple for Trimvurate ie., Brahma, Vishnu and Siva with the use of imperishable materials such as stone. It marked a revolutionary departure from tradition. The temple became a major institution. The religious life of the people centered around the local temple. Temples provide solace and comfort to the people besides appeasing their inner urges and the search within. Those who wanted to amass the blessings of the God liberally donated lands to the temples as part of their prayers. There is a bulk of epigraphical evidence during the Pallava and Pandya times which speaks about construction, renovation and additions made to the temples. The benefactors in the list are the kings, chieftains, noble persons, royal ladies and other royal members beside them are the Brahmins including Brahmin ladies, officials, merchants, pontiffs and village administrative bodies. This paper focuses on various types of land grants by the Pallava kings donated to the temples.