The Royal Temple of Rajaraja: An Instrument of Imperial Cola PowerAbhinav Publications, 2003 - 175 pages The Rajarajesvaram (Brithadisvara), The Royal Temple Of The Cola Monarch Rajaraja I, Was The Greatest Monumental Undertaking Of The Cols. The Inscriptions On Its Walls Are A Veritable Registry Of Administrative Details. The Author, Dr. Geeta Vasudevan, Has Undertaken An Indepth Analysis Of These Inscriptions And Examined The Pivotal Role Of The Royal Temple In The Economic, Social, Religious And Political Affairs Of The Empire. She Convincingly Puts Forth The Argument That The Royal Temples Under The Middle Colas Were Instruments Of Imperial Power And Helped To Enhance And Consolidate Cole Hegemony Over A Vast Empire Extending Over 1000 Kms From Andhra In The North To Northen Sri Lanka In The South.The Thesis Is Also The First Serious Attempt To Bring Out The Differences Between Bhakti Temples (Or Temples Sanctified Through Holy Associations) And Royal Temples (Or Royal Chapels Of Kings); The Reasons The Former Have Survived Almost 1000 Years As Places Of Worship While Many Of The Latter Are Languishing As Archaeological Monuments. |
Common terms and phrases
activities appointment areas army belonging bhakti temples Big Temple brahmadeyas Brahmana Brihadisvara Temple built cash Cola hegemony Cola kings Cola monarchs Cola period Cola power conquered territories Courtesy cult dāna deity dēvadāna devakanmis donated donor early Cola empire endowments festivals ghee gold important Indian inscriptions inscs institution Jaina K.V. Raman Kailasanatha temple kalams of paddy kalañju Kanci Karashima kāśus Kaveri Kulottunga Kurram lamps land grants linga Madras Mahendravarman Mamallapuram mathas Melpadi mentioned Middle Colas military officers nāḍu paid Pallava Parantaka patronage Rajaraja Rajarajesvaram Rajasimha Rajendra record redistribution region of Colamandalam reign religious remuneration retinue revenue ritual role royal order royal temple S.R. Balasubramanyam sabhās Saiva Śaivācārya Saivism shepherds shrines Siva Siva temples South India Sri Lanka śrikāryam Sundarar Tamil country tānattārs Tanjavur temple temple administration temple complex temple functionaries temple servants temple-building Tevaram Tiruvarur treasurers Vaisnavism vēli villages Vimana Visnu watchmen worship XVII