Origin and Growth of Saivism in South Travancore
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High Technology Letters ISSN NO : 1006-6748 ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF SAIVISM IN SOUTH TRAVANCORE Dr. B. PALAMMAL R.PRAYMINA Assistant Professor Ph.D.Resarch Scholar Department of History and Research Centre Department of History and Research Centre Holy Cross College (Autnomous) Holy Cross College (Autnomous) Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari District Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari District Abstract The religious history of South Travancore is almost identical with that of the rest of Travancore. Hinduism has been the predominant religion. Jainism also exited in this area during medieval period. Christianity and Islam though came later exited side by side with their respective modes of religious life. Hindu temples of South Travancore had a very ancient history. In old days, there were not only places of worship, but also centers of social and cultural life. they were maintained both the royal benefaction and public patronage. The monarchs bestowed particular attention to the up keep of this religious institution. Not only did they tolerate religious sects other than their own but they patronized all persuasions’ in equal measure inscriptions constitute the chief source of information for the study of the religious history of South Travancore. There are number of inscriptions found at the Suchindram temple, the Bhagavathi Amman temple at Kanniyakumari, the Vishnu temple at Parakkai and Thirupathisaram which through much light on the sign anticancer of such institutions in the social and religious life of the people. Volume 26, Issue 8, 2020 171 http://www.gjstx-e.cn/ High Technology Letters ISSN NO : 1006-6748 Key Words South Travancore, Saivism, Lord Siva, Hinduism, Jainism, Christianity, Suchindram Temple, Bhagavathi Amman temple at Kanniyakumari, Sivabrahmanas of Cholapuram temple, 1125 A.D,1163 A.D, 1217 A.D, 1243 A.D, 1536 A.D, 1610 A.D, Cholapuram Inscription and Buddhism. Introduction The origin of Saivism is lost in obscurity, but it is clear that the history of saivism is a bland of two lines of development the Aryan or Vedic and the pre-Aryan. It is not a single cult, but a federation of allied cults whose practices range from the serenest form of personal life in the faith to the most repulsive excesses that alienate one’s sympathy for the cult. The hold of saivism extends not only over the whole of India from the Indus Valley to Bengal but stretches across the sea to Greater India and the Archipelago and beyond the northern mountains to Central Asia. Origin and Growth of Saivism in South Travancore In South India, Saivism is traceable from very early times and its influence grew, like that of vaishnavism by its conflict with Buddhism and Jainism the age of the great pallavas. The Sangam literature knows of siva and his exploits and the Silappathikaram even mention the Panchaksar(the five letters of the Mamasivaya Mantra). In the history of Tamil Country, the period from about 7th to 9th centuries A.D. Marks the further development of the bramanical sects of saivism. The popularization of Bhakti cult by the saiva Nayanmars and the temple building activities of the Pallavas, early Pandyas and other minor dynastics had contributed to the rapid growth of saivism. Volume 26, Issue 8, 2020 172 http://www.gjstx-e.cn/ High Technology Letters ISSN NO : 1006-6748 The great Cholas were without exception saivities. Their period is considered to be the golden age of saivism. Under them the beginnings made under the pallavas in the construction of temples and establishment of Matas, reached a more elaborate and systematic development. The canon of Tamil saivism became systematized and this was followed by the growth of doctrial literature. Saivism is the most popular religious sect in South Travancore. The notable centers of Siva workship are Suchindram, Cholapuram, Virakeralanallur, Kottar, Agasteswaram, Vadesery and Karuppukottai apart from several villages not much historical importance. An important feature of the Suchindram inscriptions is the wide variety of the royal dynasties which figure in them. There are epigraphs of the Cholas the Chola-Pandya generals, the Nayaks of Madurai and the more recent South Travancore monarchs. Religious observances and endowments were viewed with great importance in early and medieval times and it was a common practice with people passing by the neighborhood at these celebrated places to pay their homage and bestow gifts on them. The Saivagamas are some of the earliest books written in the Sanskrit language on the Saiva religion and Philosophy over a period of several countries before the Christian era. Some of the earliest of them would have been written before the days of the Buddha before the sixth century B.C. they are considered to have equal scriptural authority as the Vedas. The Vedas are considered to be general while the Agamas are considered to be special for the particular class of people to whom they were intended. Saiva tradition identifies Lords Saiva or Siva as a formless eternal and mysterious being with many aspects and dimensions. He is both transcendental and immanent who cannot be quantified and quantified objectively with our limited awareness. He is beyond our mind and Volume 26, Issue 8, 2020 173 http://www.gjstx-e.cn/ High Technology Letters ISSN NO : 1006-6748 senses, but within the reach of our experience and awakening. The origin of Saivism is lost in obscurity but it is clear that the of history of saivism is a blend of two lines of development the Aryan or Vedic and the Pre-Aryan. It is not a single and epigraphic evidences show that it was under the rule of Cheras and the South Travancore rulers subsequently. The wealth of this region also attracted many invaders like Vijayanagar rulers, Nayaks and the Mughals. It is the confluence of various religious faiths. Conclusion In South Travancore there are nearly 100 temples and 200 other places of worship. Many of these are private institutions having been endowed by pious Hindus hundreds of years when starting the temple the custom was to hand over landed properties of considerable value to members of their own families or other trustees who met the necessary expenditure for the temples from these properties. Jainism also existed in South Travancore during the medieval period. Epigraphically evidence clearly shows the existence of Jainism in this area. Christianity and Islam though came later existed side by side with their respective modes of religious life. But religious harmony prevailed among the people. Temples, Churches and Mosques are situated within a few yards of each other for countries without hindrance. The Muslims and Christians respected the customs and usages of traditions of South Travancore and maintained cordial relation with the other people. Siva does not ask us to worship him rather know ourselves as him only and live with that faith and conviction the rest of our lives. Volume 26, Issue 8, 2020 174 http://www.gjstx-e.cn/ High Technology Letters ISSN NO : 1006-6748 References 1. Abraham P.I., The Resurgent Knanaya Church, Chingavanam, 1980. 2. Alexander Mar Thoma, The Mar Thoma Church, Heritage and Mission, Thiruvalla, 1983. 3. Farquhar, J.N., Modern Religious Movements in India, London, 1915. 4. Firth, C.B., An Introduction to Indian Church History, Madras, 1961. 5. Sherring, M.A., The History of the Protestant Missions in India, London, 1875. 6. Thomas, M.M., Towards an eangelical Social Gospel, Kottayam, 1977. 7. T.A. Gopinath Rao., The Travancore Archaeological series Vol I & II. Trivandrum., 8. Titus Varghese, V., Glimpses of the History of the Churches in India, Madras, 1983. 9. Xavier, Kudapuzha, Faith and Communion of the Indian Church of ST. Thomas Christians, Kottayam, 1987. 10. Yesudas, R.N., The historyof the London Missionary Society in Travancore 1806-1908, Trivandrum, 1980. Volume 26, Issue 8, 2020 175 http://www.gjstx-e.cn/.