significance of uthiramerur
Uthiramerur is an ancient town in the Kanchipuram district of Tamil
Nadu, India, and holds significant historical and cultural importance. Some
key aspects of its significance include:
1. Historical Importance
Uthiramerur is known for its rich history and is associated with the Tamil
Chola dynasty, particularly during the reign of Rajendra Chola I (11th
century). It was an important administrative and cultural center in the
Tamil country.
2. Ancient Democratic System (Local Self-Government)
Uthiramerur is especially famous for its ancient system of local
self-government, which is often regarded as a model of democracy in ancient
India. The town was known for its "Uthiramerur Inscription", which outlines
the democratic procedures for electing local representatives (village
assemblies) through a voting system.
The inscription describes a structured electoral process where villagers
could vote for the selection of office-bearers, such as the village council
and headmen. It is one of the earliest recorded instances of a form of
participatory democracy in India. (KUDA OLAI).
The system included conditions such as eligibility criteria for candidates,
the process of nomination, and the role of the assembly, which shows the
level of organization in the administration of the time.
3. The Uthiramerur Inscription
The Uthiramerur inscription, found in the 10th-century Sri Veera Narayana
Perumal temple, offers detailed information about the workings of the
village assembly. It is an important document in understanding the social
and political systems during the Chola period.
The inscription describes the election of 64 different office-bearers and
outlines their duties, the process of choosing candidates, and the rules
governing their election. The structure of governance, which emphasized
fairness and transparency, was quite advanced for its time.
4. Cultural Heritage
Uthiramerur has several ancient temples that reflect the town's rich
religious and architectural heritage. The Sri Veeranarayana Perumal Temple,
where the Uthiramerur inscription was discovered, is a prime example of the
architectural styles of the time. The temples in the region are a testament
to the artistry and craftsmanship of the period.
5. Educational Significance
The town is known for its contributions to education in ancient Tamil Nadu.
The inscriptions on temple walls suggest that Uthiramerur was a place where
scholars and teachers gathered to exchange ideas, and education was valued
in the society of that time.
6. Archaeological Importance
Uthiramerur is also important for archaeological studies, as it provides
insight into the political, social, and religious aspects of ancient Tamil
Nadu. Excavations and findings in the area continue to enhance our
understanding of the Chola dynasty and the ancient Tamil culture. In
summary, Uthiramerur is a significant historical and cultural landmark due
to its unique contributions to the understanding of ancient democratic
practices, its association with the Chola dynasty, and its rich
archaeological and religious heritage.
2 The temple inscriptions of Uthiramerur are notable for their
historical descriptions of the rural self-governance
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Local_self-government_in_India>. They
indicate that Uthiramerur had two village assemblies: *Sabha* and *Ur*. The
*Sabha* an exclusively Brahmin <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmin>
(priestly
class) assembly, while the *Ur* was made up of people belonging to all the
classes.
The earliest surviving inscriptions from Uthiramerur date to the reign of
the Pallava king Dantivarman
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dantivarman> (795-846
CE). These inscriptions indicate that the *Sabha* was already a
well-established and mature institution by this time. It managed land sales
and an endowment fund for dredging <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dredging> a
tank. It also assigned some duties to the *Ur* for managing the land
deserted by tenants who could not afford to pay the taxes. A later
inscription, from the reign of Dantivarman's successor Nandivarman III
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nandivarman_III> (846-869), describes the
qualifications and tenure of archaka
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaka> (priest)
in a local temple. According to these early inscriptions, the *Sabha* assembled
in the hall of the local temple. The meetings were summoned through beating
of the drums <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_beat>. The inscriptions
also contain several references to *variyar*s, the executive officers
subordinate to the *Sabha*.
Two later inscriptions of the Chola king Parantaka I
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parantaka_I> (907–955) indicate the
evolution of the administrative system. Instead of *variyar*s (who were
individuals), the executive powers were given to committees called *variyam*s.
Each *variyam* constituted 6 to 12 members, depending on the importance of
its functions. The first inscription, dated to 919 CE, describes the rules
for electing the committee members. The second inscription, dated to 921
CE, describes some amendments to these rules to make them more practical
According to the 921 CE inscription, the village had 30 *kudumbu*s or
wards, from which the members of following committees were selected annually
*Name*
*Number of members*
*Meaning*
Samvatsara-Variyam
12
Annual Committee (or Garden and Tank Committee, since its membership was
restricted to the elders who had served on these two committees)
Totta-Variyam
12
Garden Committee
Eri-Variyam
6
Tank Committee
Panchavara-Variyam
Unknown
Standing Committee
Pon-Variyam
Unknown
Gold Committee
The inscription lays down the following qualifications for a nominee:
- Ownership of tax-paying land sized at least one-fourth of a *veli
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_units_of_measurement>* (about an
acre and a half). The land-owning requirement was reduced to one-eighth
*veli* for people who had learned at least one Veda
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veda> and one Bhashya
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhashya>.
- Residence in a house built on self-owned land
- Age between 35 and 70 years
- Knowledge of mantras <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantras> and the
Brahmanas <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmana> (Vedic literature
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedic_literature>)
- *Not* one of the following:
- An existing committee member (any committee) for the past 3 years
- An existing committee member who (or whose relatives) had failed to
submit accounts
- One who (or whose relatives) had committed incest
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incest> or first of the 5 great sins
(the 5 great sins being killing a Brahmin
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brahmanahatya>, drinking alcohol,
theft, adultery and associating with criminals).
- One who has been an outcaste for association with low caste
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caste_system_in_India> (unless he
performs expiatory ceremonies
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ritual_purification>)
- One who is foolhardy
- One who has stolen the property of others
- One who has taken forbidden dishes
The candidates were selected via *Kudavoloi* (literally, pot [of] palm leaf
[tickets]) system:
- Names of qualified candidates were written on palm leaf
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm-leaf_manuscript> tickets
- The tickets were put into a pot and shuffled
- A young boy was asked to take out as many tickets as the number of
positions available
- The name on the ticket was read out by all the priests
- The candidate, whose name was read out, was selected
The tenure of a committee member was 360 days. Anyone found guilty of an
offence was immediately removed from the office.[4]
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uthiramerur#cite_note-RT_2004-4> The
Uthiramerur inscriptions indicate that parading on donkey
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parading_on_donkey> was a punishment for
offences such as incest, adultery <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adultery>,
theft and forgery <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forgery>
3 According to this, the candidates who stand for the elections
must have the following qualities:
1. Must have atleast quarter 'veli' of land.
2. Must have a house in his land
3. Must be aged above 35 years but below 75
4. He must be skilled in atleast one of Vedas, Bashya and Manthras.
5. Must be good in character
6. Must not have had been elected in this for atleast the prev. 3 years.
The following candidates are not eligible:
1. The one who has not shown proper accounts if elected earlier. Also their
relatives aren't eligible.
2. The one who has committed adultery, murder, theft, speaks lie or is a
drunkard are not eligible.
3. They are not eligible even if their crime's punishment term is over i.e.
they must not have a criminal record at all.
4. The one who has eaten what's not meant to be eaten
The period of holding the position is 360 days after which he has to
resign. If he commits any crime or gets unfit in between, he'll be fired.
The election:
There were 30 districts (thogudhi). A bunch of palm leaves with names of
people eligible from each district is made. These bunches are dropped in a
narrow mouthed vessel and its closed tightly. This is then brought to the
central court. Later, in the presence of all citizens, and wise men, the
vessel is shown to all. Then a little boy, is asked to pick one bunch from
the vessel and asked to drop into another vessel. The bunch is opened up
inside the 2nd vessel and the same kid is asked to pick out a single leaf
from it. The name of the leaf is loudly announced by the old wise man. A
few more also read aloud the name to make sure of the winner. This is then
repeated for all 30 bunches for all 30 districts. Those 30 were the heads
and govt. representatives of the 30 districts. Now, isn't that incredible.
I just wish we could follow this today too.
K RAJARAM IRS 24325
On Sun, 23 Mar 2025 at 21:54, Jambunathan Iyer <[email protected]>
wrote:
> Temple around Chennai: Collection & count No. 135
>
> The Sundaravarada Perumal Temple in Uthiramerur
>
> The Sundaravarada Perumal Temple in Uthiramerur, a village in the South
> Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu.
> Constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture, the temple. Vishnu is
> worshipped as Sundaravarada Perumal and his consort Lakshmi as Anandavalli.
> The temple was originally built by Pallavas, with later additions from the
> Cholas, Pandyas, Sambuvarayas, Vijayanagara Rayas and the Nayaks.
>
> A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The temple
> has a five-tiered rajagopuram, the gateway tower. The temple tank is
> located adjacent to the temple, outside the main entrance. Unlike other
> temples, the temple has three sanctums in a two tiered structure and three
> shrines in three cardinal directions in the lower level.
>
> Sundaravarada Perumal is believed to have appeared for Arjuna, Nakula and
> Sahadeva, the Pandava princes in Mahabharata, while Anandavalli for their
> wife Draupadi. The temple follows Vadakalai tradition of worship.
> Brahmotsavam during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April - May),
> Pavitrotsava during Adi (July - August) and Sri Jayanti in Avani (August -
> September) being the most prominent.
>
> As per Hindu legend, Sundara Varada Perumal temple is closely associated
> with Mahabharata, an epic. Bhima, the Pandava prince in Mahabharata
> worshipped Vishnu at this place. There are three Varadas around the main
> sanctum in the ground floor namely Achyuta Varada, Anirudhha Varada and
> Kalyana Varada, who are believed to have given relief to Arjuna, Nakula and
> Sahadeva, the other three Pandava princes. The consort presiding deity,
> Anandavalli is believed to have appeared for Draupadi, the wife of the
> Pandavas. The images of the three Varadas are located around the sanctum in
> cardinal directions. A flight of steps lead to each of them. The temple was
> originally called Vellai Vishnugraham (place for the fair deity) and the
> presiding deity was called Vellaimurthi Embiran, Vellaimurthy Alvar,
> Rajendra Chola Vinnagar Alvar and Sokka Perumal.
>
> Uthiramerur was ruled by the Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, Sambuvarayas,
> Vijayanagara Rayas, and Nayaks. As per the inscriptions in the temple, the
> Pallava king Nandivarman II (720–796 CE) established the village around 750
> CE.
>
> The region and the village went under the sway of Pandyas during the 13th
> century and subsequently to the Telugu Chola ruler Vijaya Gandagopala. He
> renamed the village of Gandagopala Chaturvedhi Managalam. During the later
> period, the village switched hands to Pallava chieftains, Telugu Cholas,
> Samburavarayars and finally Kumara Kampana. The Vijayanagara emperor
> Krishnadevaraya (1502–29) made contributions to the Sundaravarada temple,
> Subhramanya temple and Kailasanatha temple in the village.
> Sundaravarada Perumal temple covers an area of about 2 acres (0.81
> hectares) and has a five-tiered gopuram (gateway tower). The temple in
> enclosed in a rectangular enclosure with huge granite walls. Unlike other
> South Indian temples where there in only one sanctum housing the presiding
> deity, Sundaravarada temple has a two storied sanctum and three shrines in
> cardinal directions around the sanctum.
>
> The sanctum at the lower level houses the image of Chaturbhujanga Vishnu
> sported with four arms. Two of his hands hold the conch and chakra, while
> the third is depicted with Abhaya hasta (guarding sign) and the fourth with
> kati hasta (resting on thigh).
>
> The image is depicted in standing posture and commonly called as the
> Sundaravarada Perumal. The sanctum also houses the images of Sridevi and
> Bhudevi on either sides of Sundaravarada.
>
> The festival image of Sundaravarada is also housed in the same sanctum.
> The walls around the sanctum have panels in each direction that house the
> images of Achyutha Varada (facing South), Anirudda Varadha (facing West)
> and Kalyana Varada (facing North), who are believed to have offered relief
> to Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva.
>
> This is one the most ancient and wonderful temples filled with
> architectural brilliance with great sculptures. The sanctum is built in
> such a way that all three forms of Lord Vishnu are set one above the other
> as three levels or floors. The presiding deity is Sri Sundara Varadaraja
> Perumal, sculpted in standing posture, along with Sri Devi and Bhoodevi at
> the first level. There is a staircase on which one can easily climb to go
> to the next floor, just above the main sanctum. In this next level Sri
> Vaikunda Varadhar is seen in the sitting posture.
>
>
> While climbing up to the next level there is a depiction of Sri
> Parthasarathy preaching the Gita to Arjuna on the outer wall facing south.
> Lord Narasimha is present on the outer wall facing westward and Sri Varaaha
> Perumal with Lakshmi is present facing north. Here Varaahar is in a sitting
> posture, with Sri Lakshmi sitting on his lap looking at Varaahar's face in
> a praying gesture. There is also Sri Dhakshinamurthy on the tomb facing
> south, something that is unusual in Vaishnavite temples. In the third
> (upper most) level, the Lord is in a reclining posture on Aadhiseshan as
> Sri Ranganathar. Lord Brahma is seen on a Lotus emerging from Ranganathar’s
> navel. Lord Shiva is seen near the feet of the deity with the Deer and
> Mazhu (a weapon) on his hands.
>
>
> Lord Ranganatha is seen here, blessing Markandeya Rishi with his right
> hand. Bhoodevi is in a praying gesture standing opposite Markandeya. Other
> than these, there are other deities called Achudha Varadhar, Aniruddha
> Varadhar and Kalyana Varadhar in the three sides of the prakaaram. It is
> said that the Pandavas visited and worshipped the Lord here during their
> Agnanavaasam (when they hid themselves and roamed around in forests). It is
> said that Sundara Varadhar was worshipped by Yudhishtira, Vaikunda Varadhar
> by Bheema, Achudha Varadhar by Arjuna, Aniruddha Varadhar by Nakula and
> Kalyana Varadhar by Sahadeva. It is also said that Pandavas had lost their
> power and wisdom, but after worshipping here, they gained it back.
>
> It showcases Kshira Sagara Madhanam, Sri Vikhanasa Acharya with his four
> disciples (Bhrigu, Marichi, Atri, Kashyapa), Andal, Sudarshana, Rama, and
> many other sculptures resembling vikhanasa sutra. Another special thing
> about this temple is that there will be 9 Mula Virats (main deities) under
> the same vimanam. Four Perumal vigrahas facing in four different directions
> around mula virat along with four more Perumal statues one stair up.
>
> The temple follows the traditions of the Vadakalai sect of Vaishnavite
> tradition and follows Vaikasana aagama. In modern times, the temple priests
> perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. As at
> other Vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to the Vaishnavaite
> community, a Brahmin sub-caste. Four daily rituals are held at various
> times of the day and many yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which
> the Brahmotsavam during the Tamil month of Chittirai (April - May),
> Pavitrotsava during Adi (July - August) and Sri Jayanti in Avani (August -
> September) being the most prominent. There are weekly, monthly and
> fortnightly rituals performed in the temple.
>
> N Jambunathan Rengarajapuram-Kodambakkam-Chennai-Mob:9176159004
>
> *" What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you
> become by achieving your goals. If you want to live a happy life, tie it to
> a goal, not to people or things "*
>
>
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