Chola patronage of bhakti
Topic: Southern Dynasties: Chalukyas, Pallavas, Cholas · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 2 "Bhakti-Sufi Traditions"
Meaning
The Chola kings (9th–13th centuries) gave strong support to Brahmanical (Vedic, priest-led) and bhakti traditions. They gave land to temples and built large temples to Shiva and Vishnu. They had the Tamil hymns of the Shaiva saints, the Tevaram, sung in temples, and helped collect them into a text. By honouring popular saints, the kings also won respect and legitimacy (acceptance of their right to rule) from their people.
Example
An inscription of c. 945 records that Parantaka I set up metal images of Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar (Shaiva saint-poets) in a Shiva temple. These images were carried in processions at the saints' festivals. The great Chola Shiva temples at Thanjavur, Chidambaram and Gangaikondacholapuram, with their fine bronze images, also reflect this support.
Don't confuse with
- Bhakti movement itself: begun by the Nayanars (Shaiva saints) and Alvars (Vaishnava saints) from the 6th century. The Cholas did not start bhakti. They took it up and supported it later.