Discuss the importance of temples with reference to cultural and economic activities?
Sources of wealth for the Hindu Temple consisted mainly of donations from royal patrons and private individuals. These were received by the Temple in the form of money, valuable objects, livestock or income from grants of land, including whole villages and their inhabitants. Donations might be made for a number of reasons, including gratitude for services rendered by the Temple, or perhaps in fulfillment of a vow. Grants not only financed the building of Temples but also provided for their upkeep and renovation. There were grants for the performance of rituals, perhaps in perpetuity for a certain individual. Donors gave grants to a Temple wishing for religious merit and increase the possibility of their ultimate salvation.
Hindus accept the ultimate doership of God and thus believe that whatever wealth they have is God given and should as such be used in good works. Substantial donations were likely to propagate the reputation of an individual or the power of a ruler. There was also the desire to record a pious act in the form of an inscription or to have a portrait of the donor made in sculpture or painting.
As grants accumulated, Temple became wealthy and could afford to become employers and act as patrons. The wealth of a Temple was usually invested in land and in this respect the Temple came to function as a landlord. Improvements in agriculture were also embarked upon by the Temple, and sometimes there was the provision of such facilities as water tanks, canals and new roads. The lands belonging to the Temple were mostly exempt from taxes.
Hindus accept the ultimate doership of God and thus believe that whatever wealth they have is God given and should as such be used in good works. Substantial donations were likely to propagate the reputation of an individual or the power of a ruler. There was also the desire to record a pious act in the form of an inscription or to have a portrait of the donor made in sculpture or painting.
As grants accumulated, Temple became wealthy and could afford to become employers and act as patrons. The wealth of a Temple was usually invested in land and in this respect the Temple came to function as a landlord. Improvements in agriculture were also embarked upon by the Temple, and sometimes there was the provision of such facilities as water tanks, canals and new roads. The lands belonging to the Temple were mostly exempt from taxes.