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TEMPLE MANAGEMENT IN THE ĀGAMA-S: With Special Reference To Kāmikāgama
For at least 1500 years, temple design, construction and worship have followed the canon of the āgama-s. Shouldn’t temple management also follow the āgama-s?
Steeped in a history of more than two millennia, the real bequest of India’s ancient temples is that they are still living sacred spaces. The gods that were invoked in these temples more than a thousand years ago, continue to reside in the sanctums and gaze benevolently upon their devotees. The bells ring for morning service as they did a thousand years ago. The ācārya waves the ārati just as another ācārya did a thousand years ago. No other organization in the world can boast of such amazing continuity. The secret to this longevity lies in the āgama-s.
Āgama-s are the traditional canon believed to be as old as the Vedas, with detailed manuals on temple-building, consecration and ritual worship. While the world outside the temples – a world of kings and kingdoms – has changed, temples continue to follow the āgama-s in letter and spirit in their everyday religious function, notwithstanding the many changes in administrative formats.
By studying the activities of the temple, material and manpower required, qualifications and roles prescribed for the temple professionals, this thesis attempts to reconstruct an āgamic temple management framework, using the Kāmikāgama as primary text with other āgama-s, secondary literature and inscriptional evidence as required.
Steeped in a history of more than two millennia, the real bequest of India’s ancient temples is that they are still living sacred spaces. The gods that were invoked in these temples more than a thousand years ago, continue to reside in the sanctums and gaze benevolently upon their devotees. The bells ring for morning service as they did a thousand years ago. The ācārya waves the ārati just as another ācārya did a thousand years ago. No other organization in the world can boast of such amazing continuity. The secret to this longevity lies in the āgama-s.
Āgama-s are the traditional canon believed to be as old as the Vedas, with detailed manuals on temple-building, consecration and ritual worship. While the world outside the temples – a world of kings and kingdoms – has changed, temples continue to follow the āgama-s in letter and spirit in their everyday religious function, notwithstanding the many changes in administrative formats.
By studying the activities of the temple, material and manpower required, qualifications and roles prescribed for the temple professionals, this thesis attempts to reconstruct an āgamic temple management framework, using the Kāmikāgama as primary text with other āgama-s, secondary literature and inscriptional evidence as required.
286 pages, Paperback
First published February 12, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 28, 2021
While on one side free Temple movement is gaining huge momentum and support in India. It simultaneously triggers a completely valid question," who is going to take care of the temples?"
It is well known that unlike Church or a mosque, Mandirs are not just brick mortar buildings used for worship. It is much more than that.
Mandirs play a very significant role in our lives and it is important to learn how to manage and take care of them. She explains these things by taking examples of three different temples.
Temple management as per agama shastra is a wonderfully written piece in this regard. It shows how mandirs are the economic, social, cultural, and spiritual knowledge centres.
It is noteworthy that the kind of details is provided here from ploughing the land to the construction of the temple and the schedules.
It provides a complete package that must be read by any practising Hindu.
I am thankful to Deepa jee for writing this wonderful and informative piece.
It is well known that unlike Church or a mosque, Mandirs are not just brick mortar buildings used for worship. It is much more than that.
Mandirs play a very significant role in our lives and it is important to learn how to manage and take care of them. She explains these things by taking examples of three different temples.
Temple management as per agama shastra is a wonderfully written piece in this regard. It shows how mandirs are the economic, social, cultural, and spiritual knowledge centres.
It is noteworthy that the kind of details is provided here from ploughing the land to the construction of the temple and the schedules.
It provides a complete package that must be read by any practising Hindu.
I am thankful to Deepa jee for writing this wonderful and informative piece.
March 22, 2021
"Temple Management in the Āgama-s", the doctoral thesis by Deepa Duraiswamy, gives us various aspects related to temple management as described in Āgama śāstra. If sanātana dharma has our living temples and our everyday faith at its core, then that dharma finds its roots in the āgama literature.
Among the popular āgama śāstra, ie śaiva, vaiśṇava & Śākta, this book focuses on śaivāgama.
There are various chapters covering origin of temples. the worship schedule, workforce, role of administration, current management and case study of 3 temples.
The author has done an extensive research and has provided archeological references wherever applicable & inscriptions found in some of the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu. There are saṃskṛtaṃ ślokas(in IAST) from āgama texts in almost all the pages. Being an admirer of saṃskṛtaṃ, I enjoyed reading these ślokas in its original form.
It is quite fascinating to know that āgama śāstra is so vast and it contains details ranging from selection of soil, ploughing, construction of temple to the level of śauca that needs to be maintained by all the stakeholders.
The author has considered 3 temples in Tamil Nadu and has provided details about the current state of administration. She has also captured inputs from arcakas, musicians, community, NRIs, etc.
In the final chapter, the book reiterates that the primary goal of the temple management is to ensure parārtapūjā and acts as social, economical, spiritual, cultural & knowledge center.
My sincere thanks to Indic Book Club for sending this book to read and share my reviews.
Among the popular āgama śāstra, ie śaiva, vaiśṇava & Śākta, this book focuses on śaivāgama.
There are various chapters covering origin of temples. the worship schedule, workforce, role of administration, current management and case study of 3 temples.
The author has done an extensive research and has provided archeological references wherever applicable & inscriptions found in some of the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu. There are saṃskṛtaṃ ślokas(in IAST) from āgama texts in almost all the pages. Being an admirer of saṃskṛtaṃ, I enjoyed reading these ślokas in its original form.
It is quite fascinating to know that āgama śāstra is so vast and it contains details ranging from selection of soil, ploughing, construction of temple to the level of śauca that needs to be maintained by all the stakeholders.
The author has considered 3 temples in Tamil Nadu and has provided details about the current state of administration. She has also captured inputs from arcakas, musicians, community, NRIs, etc.
In the final chapter, the book reiterates that the primary goal of the temple management is to ensure parārtapūjā and acts as social, economical, spiritual, cultural & knowledge center.
My sincere thanks to Indic Book Club for sending this book to read and share my reviews.
April 19, 2021
#bookreview
Temple management by Dr Deepa Duraiswamy
I received this 15 days ago and after reading I am giving review about this great book.
The book "Temple Management in the Agama-s" , written by Dr. Deepa Duraiswamy not only dicusses about the ancient tample management system in agamas in India but it also gives information about collection of ideas that lays down the rules for worship, temple building, spirituality and rituals, which has been a guideline for many people of the Hindu faith from a very long time. Many things which I read was not known to me untill i read this were mesmerising . I was continueously reading book and it gives me so much information about our old managements which I now believe that should be practised by every temple of in india. The book is a collection of Sanskrit, Tamil and Grantha scriptures that contains, mainly, methods of temple construction, idol creation, philosophical doctrines and meditative practices. As a compendium of sorts that came into being after years of assimilation and from a variety of sources, as a whole cannot be dated; some parts of it being pre vedic while the others are post vedic.
The book is incredibly interesting and relavent, particularly in the context of the present system of government control of temples which are taken under the control of the govt. The book also discusses about the duties of the king and other people who are related to the agamas and they should understand their duties in temple management. I am thankful to Dr. Deepa Duraiswamy for writing this book and let us know that how glorious was our past. How glorious was their management in all areas. And I am thankful to Indic Academy to give me this book to read. Everyone must read this book. It would be a nice read. Thank you.
Temple management by Dr Deepa Duraiswamy
I received this 15 days ago and after reading I am giving review about this great book.
The book "Temple Management in the Agama-s" , written by Dr. Deepa Duraiswamy not only dicusses about the ancient tample management system in agamas in India but it also gives information about collection of ideas that lays down the rules for worship, temple building, spirituality and rituals, which has been a guideline for many people of the Hindu faith from a very long time. Many things which I read was not known to me untill i read this were mesmerising . I was continueously reading book and it gives me so much information about our old managements which I now believe that should be practised by every temple of in india. The book is a collection of Sanskrit, Tamil and Grantha scriptures that contains, mainly, methods of temple construction, idol creation, philosophical doctrines and meditative practices. As a compendium of sorts that came into being after years of assimilation and from a variety of sources, as a whole cannot be dated; some parts of it being pre vedic while the others are post vedic.
The book is incredibly interesting and relavent, particularly in the context of the present system of government control of temples which are taken under the control of the govt. The book also discusses about the duties of the king and other people who are related to the agamas and they should understand their duties in temple management. I am thankful to Dr. Deepa Duraiswamy for writing this book and let us know that how glorious was our past. How glorious was their management in all areas. And I am thankful to Indic Academy to give me this book to read. Everyone must read this book. It would be a nice read. Thank you.
August 3, 2021
This was a fantastic book, I would love to use the sources as a teaching guide for myself and to help other people to learn about Sanatana Dharma. It is a great resource which systematically describes the the management of temples and the future of temple management. Temples in India are currently managed by the government, but the author describes the history of traditional agamically sanctioned management and he thoroughly also describes the various types of steps in puja, the sanskrit terms with the english translation, the various array of priests and priestly duties, and the types of initiation, disciples, staff members that are all sanctioned in agamas. The text is jam packed full of information and I took notes as well, will definitely be using this as a future resource as I am interested in volunteering but also understanding temple hierarchy and the purpose of temples, and also the future of temple management.
August 12, 2021
Temples have been an integral part in Indian Culture. It happens to be the epicentre of faith, worship, devotion, architecture and innumerable other aspects. As the issue of Government control of Temples gains steam, this book certainly has some insights to better our understanding and functioning of Temples. This work happens to be the author’s Doctoral Thesis and she certainly does justice in highlighting various aspects related to temples as mentioned in the Kamikagama.
Kamikagama happens to be one of the texts of Shaiva Philosophy. The author takes us through different aspects of the text in a simple yet erudite manner. The book starting from introducing Shaivism and types of temples goes on to provide insights on the different types of pooja’s, rituals, offerings etc. explaining briefly their significance, their importance and the necessity to follow on these traditions as prescribed in the Agama. Certainly certain elements like the role of the King in temple administration might seem inapplicable, but the text is categorical in detailing each role, required in the day to day administration of the temple. The Temple workforce, the assistance provided to them, procurement and supply of materials, renumeration etc all find mention in the text.
The most important aspect which I feel is that it gives an overview of the existing management structure of Temples (keeping Tamil Nadu as context) and also goes on provide its shortcomings and possible solutions to it. With series cases of mismanagement being reported from the state, certain suggestions mentioned in the book can work as a template for improving the conditions of temples.
A pleasant and insightful read in short. It certainly makes me wonder about the detailing and depth of thought in some of our texts and scriptures, only explains the need for more work of such nature.
Kamikagama happens to be one of the texts of Shaiva Philosophy. The author takes us through different aspects of the text in a simple yet erudite manner. The book starting from introducing Shaivism and types of temples goes on to provide insights on the different types of pooja’s, rituals, offerings etc. explaining briefly their significance, their importance and the necessity to follow on these traditions as prescribed in the Agama. Certainly certain elements like the role of the King in temple administration might seem inapplicable, but the text is categorical in detailing each role, required in the day to day administration of the temple. The Temple workforce, the assistance provided to them, procurement and supply of materials, renumeration etc all find mention in the text.
The most important aspect which I feel is that it gives an overview of the existing management structure of Temples (keeping Tamil Nadu as context) and also goes on provide its shortcomings and possible solutions to it. With series cases of mismanagement being reported from the state, certain suggestions mentioned in the book can work as a template for improving the conditions of temples.
A pleasant and insightful read in short. It certainly makes me wonder about the detailing and depth of thought in some of our texts and scriptures, only explains the need for more work of such nature.
March 12, 2022
Excellent attempt of seeing Management from Agamic point of view. Needed some patience to understand terminology and bind them into context
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July 9, 2024Informative particularly w.r.t the agama sastras and the Shaivite temples in the South.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews