A RARE VADAVAYIL NANGAI CULT IN SRI SIVALOGANTHA TEMPLE AT GRAMAM

Abstract

The sangam literature refers to temples (Kottam) of Brahmical, Buddhist and Jain deities.  Early Tamil literature is full of references to building small shrines or temples over tombs of the dead. The new devotional elaboration of rituals resulted in greatest participation and greater involvement of the peasantry. From the 9th C.E. most shrines of Brahminical gods were simple and austere, reflecting the aniconic propensities of the smartha tradition of the age. Before 800 C.E. there was a reversal of the trend to greater iconic worship, due principally to the influence of the Bhakti poets. Thus we see how the temples grew in importance and therefore, in size too, due to the bhakti of the people.