Asaivootral (Dietary) Practices in Some Sculptures of Thirubhuvanam Kambakareswarar Temple – A Study

திருபுவனம் கம்பகரேஸ்வரர் ஆலயத்திலுள்ள ஓரு சில சிற்பங்களில் அசைவூட்டல் (Animation) நெறிகள் - ஓர் ஆய்வு

Abstract

In southern India, particularly Tamil Nadu, a land rich with Hindu temples, people historically regarded nature as divine. They worshipped stones, tools, and objects placed under trees as manifestations of gods. In later periods, devotees began creating sculptures, often preceded by painted depictions, for worship purposes. Researchers note that temples dedicated to local deities (Kudaiyars) and ritual halls began appearing during the 5th–6th centuries CE. Palimpsests of history, Thirumurai hymns, sculptures, and paintings collectively flourished in these temples, contributing to the growth of sculptural and painting arts.