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The
Role of Temple in Hindu society:
The Hindu
Temples were the real centers of Religio-Spiritual,
Socio-Cultural, Politico-Economic activities of the people
living in the regions around the Temple.
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Temples
used to be and still
are places
of worship-congregational during
festivals and individualistic and
family group- wise according to convenience, at
all times during day and even at nights on
special occasions.
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A
place where disputes were settled, contracts and
agreements were executed, punishments were
meted and trials conducted, compromises and
conciliation’s were effected etc with least
interference from the
authorities. Panchayats had their own customs
and traditions to regulate them.
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place where children were given education.
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A
place where cultural festivities and religious
functions were combined and held
as entertainment’s or recreations to the
people.
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Dancing
and music classes held and public performances held at
temple expenses.
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Centers
of Fine Arts and Handicrafts were promoted in the vicinity
of the Temple with its funds.
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Functioned
as banks accepting safe deposits and arranging money
circulation for the promotion of local lfare.
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place of Charity and Philanthropy where poor were fed,
destitute employed, orphans supported,
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Social center where marriages are conducted, children
tonsure ceremony, nama- karana etc organized,
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center for dispensing medicines for the community,
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place where collective decisions to meet emergencies were
taken such as flood relief, repair oftanks,auctioning
fruits, fish etc from common or public
properties,
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political center where periodical elections to local
administration were organized without much competition and
greed or ill will.
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In
times of need temple precincts were used for storage
facilities for food grains, fodder, etc.
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In
war times its towers were used as observation towers, its
walls to protect people and to shelter from enemy attacks
and as ammunition storage, etc.
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center where ARTISTIC SKILLS DISPLAYED AS A PERMANENT
MUSEUM.
Thus
apart from the engineering skill displayed in the Temple
architecture, magnificent sculptures, ever lasting paintings,
skills in stone with sound and light effects have all been
part and parcel of Temple premises. Apart from this, fruit
gardens, flowering trees and plants attracted the attention of
the humans, birds and beasts on an equal footing as nature was
honoured and environment strengthened.
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