Page:Ancient Temples Of Tamilnadu.pdf/6

 PREFACE

From very ancient times Tamilnadu has been called the Divine Tamil land. Ever since the pre-historic times many great leaders have emphasised the fact how religion is indispensable and essential for life. Among those religions (creeds) Saivism and Vaishnavism are the oldest and important ones particularly to Tamilnadu. These two and others connected with them have been named as 'Hindu Religion', by people who came later. Even today we see how the Hindus living all over India, have varied systems and principles. Yet, they have never failed to worship and revere Siva and Vishnu.

Even before 2000 years Saivism and Vaishnavism flourished in Tamilandu. In the middle period Buddhism and Jainism came from the North. Once people feared that Buddhism and Jainism might rule and even destroy Saivism and Vaishnavism. Buddhism flouri- shed first and later Jainism. Many Kings of Tamilnadu embraced Jainism and fostered it. But in the beginning of seventh century many great Saiva and Vaishnava saints appeared and did many wonders. They wandered, singing devine hymns, from place to place and thereby reinstated Saivism and Vaishnavism by putting an end to Buddhism and Jainism. Ever since that day these two religions have been greatly cherished by the people of Tamilnadu. Though there are people who had embraced other religions that came later, e.g. Islam and Christianity, they are very small in number. Moreover many of them still worship the deities of Saivism and Vaishnavism.

Many great Saiva saints who lived in the seventh century toured many places and sang the glories of Siva temple in those places and thereby impressed the Saiva faith in the minds of the people. Many who came later also toured many places and sang various hymns. Such holy places glorified by their hymns are considered to be important and sacred. In the same way, the places praised by Vaishnava Saints have become important and sacred. Such sacred places are 1008 in Saivism and 108 in Vaishnavism. Of the 1008 Saiva centres, today we have only less number of centres as places where Thevaram has been sung. A good many of them are situated in Tanjore District. Many great Chola Kings of that time and the contemporary Pandya Kings and the later Vijayanagara Kings built these temples, we see around us, and fostered Saivism. These temples became centres to foster faith, society, art, civilisation and culture. Many who tour the country know very well that the life of the people has become almost dependent on the temples.