Temples of Munnur (Historical Study)
by R. Muthuraman | 2016 | 67,784 words
This essay represents a historical study of the Temples in and around Munnur, situated in the Dakshina Kannada district in the state Karnataka (India). Munnur is regarded as an important religious city for the followers of both Shaivism and Vaishnavism. The ancient history of Munnur traces to the reign of the Chola, from whom the city derives it's ...
Chathurvedi-mangalam the Brahmin settlements
The Brahmanas were given as manyam (gift) from the public lands. In some occasions the whole villages called as Brahmadeya[1] and Chathurvedi-mangalam[2] to the Brahmanas. It was due to the fact that the Brahmanas were the highly educated persons[3]. They were appointed as Perundaram officials in the government departments and temple priests[4]. The ministers and other Gazetted officials also hailed from this Brahmana community. Brahmanas who were experts in the four Vedas were given lands for their sustenance. These lands were called Brahmadeya.[5] The records of Adavalleswarar temple illustrate Brahmadeya lands, which were situated in Munnur.[6] For instance an inscription of Rajendra I records the place as Brahmadeya Munnjur. The expression reveals the fact that Munnjur had a Brahman settlements alias Sri Pandithachola Chathurvedimangalam.[7] This name was renamed as the donated Brahmana settlements were known as Chathurvedi-mangalam. These Chathurvedi-mangalams were named after their kings or the Queens.
Footnotes and references:
[2]:
Ibid.,
[3]:
Unpublished Inscription. See Appendix No.1.
[4]:
A.R.E., 58 of 1922.
[6]:
Unpublished Inscription. See Appendix No.1.
[7]:
Unpublished Inscription. See Appendix No.3.