A STUDY OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF SRI ANDAL TEMPLE IN SRIVILLIPUTHUR

Transcription

1 A STUDY OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF SRI ANDAL TEMPLE IN SRIVILLIPUTHUR Synopsis of the thesis submitted to Madurai Kamaraj University for the award of the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN POLITICAL SCIENCE Researcher I. PERUMAL, M.A., M.Phil. Supervisor Dr. P. PERIAKARUPPAN, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE MADURAI KAMARAJ UNIVERSITY MADURAI TAMIL NADU INDIA MARCH 2009

2 1 SYNOPSIS A STUDY OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF SRI ANDAL TEMPLE IN SRIVILLIPUTHUR Introduction India is a land of the Hindus who form the majority of the population and who subscribe to Hinduism. Indians have stood together in unity and co-operation though there might have been certain incidents because of the activities of the less educated and extremist elements. A Hindu is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, a set of religious, philosophical and cultural systems that originated in the Indian subcontinent. In 1995, while considering the question "who are Hindus and what are the broad features of Hindu religion", the Supreme Court of India highlighted Bal Gangadhar Tilak's formulation of Hinduism's defining features: Acceptance of the Vedas with reverence; recognition of the fact that the means or ways to salvation are diverse; and the realization of the truth that the number of gods to be worshipped is large, that indeed is the distinguishing feature of Hindu religion. The temple, one of the vital institutions of Hindu religion, plays an important role in the day to day activities of the people. The temples, being hallowed ground, are the great teachers of piety to all classes of persons. They are

3 2 centres from which divine blessings flow to the deserving; so they promote justice throughout the land. It is also laid down that so long as these ancient institutions are duly maintained by the ruling race, there will be prosperity in a country and famine will not visit the land. The scared shrines inspire the worshippers to lead a life of purity and devotion. According to the Hindu conception, there is no space which is not pervaded by God. Temples are the abode of wisdom and are, therefore, worthiest places of worship. Worshipping God in temples purifies the heart, helps in controlling the passions and enables the devotees to lead a virtuous life. The temple along with the religion which supports it determines the behavioural pattern of the people who constitute the community around the temple. It may lead to both creative and destructive activities by the people and among the people. It has been true in the case of almost every religion Hindu, Christian, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhs and others. The temples are not only religious institutions but also social service organizations with considerable amount of potential resources in the forms of accumulated assets and perennial income by way contribution, donations and also from its landed and other properties which are to be closely administered for its proper income and expenditure. During the earlier days the incomes from temples were not properly received and hence various legislations were made and Acts were very often modified. It may be reminded here that the religious functions of

4 3 the temples are and were given widest publicity. But the administration of the temple is very much important and needs detailed consideration and thorough study for effective and efficient functioning of its systems and thereby for the proper administration. Temples in South India are perhaps the only ancient religious institutions that have retained their importance and popularity down the ages. Patronized by royalty and the public, they have preserved the age old traditions. Temples contain valuable inscriptions, that serve as the most authentic source for around them are fostered arts of different kinds in a remarkably noble way, reconstructing the ancient history of the land. During the medieval period, the South Indian temples were the hubs of the socio-religious life of the people and served as the centre of the activities of the village community. They also played a considerable role in the economic activity of the people and the fostering of administrative institutions. Hence the study of the temples of South India offers valuable and useful data for understanding the main currents of the political-religious-art-social and economic history of South India. Among the various studies of the temples, the economic study is the most important one since finance is an essential element for any organization. All the activities of the organization require funds which are to be allotted properly for its efficient operations. The various sources of funds are to be analyzed for an effective utilization. A proper financial utilization needs to plan, control and

5 4 co-ordinate the various elements analyzing the cost and benefits of the organization. Finance is required not only for business organization, but also for religious and charitable institutions, which require funds for multiple purposes. Holy places like Tirupathi and Palani generate large amount of funds, almost all through the year irrespective of festival or normal months. People in and around these cities and also from other parts of the country travel down to worship their God. As far as Tamilnadu is concerned, people are very much devoted to the Arulmigu Natchiar Sri Andal Temple at Srivilliputhur. It invites a lot of pilgrims all through the year. Owing to the influx of pilgrims, Arulmigu Nachiar Andal Temple has become a significant place in the pilgrim map of Tamil Nadu, India. It is registered under the Trust Act, managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR&CE), Government of Tamilnadu. It involves in various social activities such as the arrangement of the regular services to the temples, special services during festival seasons, providing comforts to the devotees, security arrangements, health care, administration of its educational institutions, services to other temples, maintenance of Hundi accounts, maintenance of the existing building, new constructions, maintenance of mandapams, lodges, golden chariot, shops and so on.

6 5 Statement of the Problem Srivilliputhur is a city as well as a municipality in Virudhunagar district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is situated in the Virudhunagar - Tenkasi line of the Southern Railway, about 74 km south of Madurai and well connected by road and rail with Madurai, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli and Sattur. The city was originally named on its founders, Villi and Kandan, forming the word Thiru-Villi-Puthur. "Thiru" is the Tamil salutation and it is interchangeable with its Sanskrit equivalent - "Sri". Thus, the city can be called by both "Srivilliputhur" and "Thiruvilliputhur". Srivilliputhur is almost flooded with pilgrims throughout the year, who become a source of funds. Srivilliputhur is surrounded by industrial area, orchards and gardens. It is an institution, which looks after the spread of educational development and cultural development, It helps for educational development, both technical and non-technical for men and women. The income of the temple is increasing year by year through the offerings of the devotees in the form of coins, currency notes, silver and gold ornaments. The local people, heavily depend for their income on the pilgrims who pour into the Srivilliputhur temple throughout the year. Considering the huge income expenditure of the temple, it is seen that an appreciable amount of surplus is accumulated year after year.

7 6 The present study examines every view that highlights the positive points as well as accentuates the pitfalls and lacunae in the management of revenue and expenditure and the utilization of surplus income. Objectives of the Study 1. To study the profile of the study area. 2. To study an overview of the evolution of temples in Tamil Nadu and their administration. 3. To study the History of Sri Andal temple and its structure of the administration. 4. To analyse the various sources of income of the Sri Andal Temple in Srivilliputhur. 5. To analyse the various expenditure patterns of the Sri Andal Temple with respect to areas such as religious, administrative and investment purposes. Methodology Arulmigu Nachiar Sri Andal temple has great potential not only for promoting religious and cultural activities but also for developing Srivilliputhur into a prosperous, pilgrimage and tourist centre. Besides, it is the key to the expanding economic prospects of the region teeming with myriad welfare activities.

8 7 Secondly, as this temple is gaining importance and popularity, its activities have registered a steady growth resulting in increased income and expenditure. Now the benefits conferred by this temple are limited only to certain sections of the society. If the activities are diversified, the temple could maximize its benefits and a large number of people would be benefited. Thirdly, the management of the temple is based on the theory of trusteeship. The devotees contribute liberally to the temple with the hope that their offerings and donations would be used for the religious and charitable purposes. However, the temple does not function as an economic unit and serve as a model of trusteeship. Data Base The study of the temple administration of Arulmigu Sri Andal Temple is undertaken as a case study and various methods have been adopted in the collection and analysis of the data in order to bring out the true nature and functioning of the temple economy. For this study, secondary data only have been collected. The secondary data have been collected from the reports, records, books, magazines, other publications of the temple journals, and Annual reports of the Joint Commissioner s office of the temple, and the annual yearbooks.

9 8 Tools of Analysis For the convenience of the data analysis, the statistical tools such as Diagrams, Graphs, Percentages, Averages, Trend analysis, Compound growth rates, Comparative income and expenditure analysis and Rank were used. Period of Study The present study is based on both primary and secondary data and efforts were taken to study the income and expenditure of the temple, business development, educational development in Srivilliputhur region, religious and socio-economic activities of the temple. The study concentrates on the data obtained for a period of 10 years from 1996 to Chapter Scheme The study is classified into the following chapters: Chapter one presents the scope of the study, statement of the problem, objectives of study, hypotheses of the study, review of literature data and methodology, tools of analysis, period of study, limitations of the study and chapter frame. The second chapter deals with the profile of the study area. Chapter third describes the overview of the evaluation of temples in Tamil Nadu and their administration.

10 9 In the fourth chapter, the historical background of the Sri Andal Temple, Srivilliputhur is discussed. It opens the various periods in the history of the temple and the stages in its development. Chapter five analyses the sources of income of the Srivilliputhur Temple and explains the growth trend of different kinds of income. It studies every type of income in depth and a comparative study of the income of this temple. Chapter six analyses the expenditure of Srivilliputhur Temple and its net financial position. It examines in detail the various items of expenditure of the temple and their relative importance. The focus is mainly on the net financial position of the temple, the size of the surplus income and the method of its present investment. In the last chapter, the summary of the findings, suggestions and the conclusion are given. ***************