NAYAKS RELIGION

INTRODUCTION NAYAKS DYNASTIES emerged after that downfall of vijayanagara empire. The Nayaks were originally military governors under the supervision of the vijayanagara empire. They were the most powerful clan. After the battle of TALIKOTA ,several of them declared independence.

IMPORTANT NAYAKS NAYAKS OF MADURAI. NAYAKS OF TANJORE. NAYAKS OF SENJI(OR)GINJEE. NAYAKS OF KALAHASTHI. NAYAKS OF CHITRADURGA. NAYAKS OF VELLORE. NAYAKS OF KANDY. NAYAKS OF KELADI.

The Nayak rulers patronised Hindu religion. The nayaks kings gave liberal donations to temples. VISWANATHANAYAK raised huge wall around the chitambaram temple. Rani mangammal gave liberal grants to musilim darghas. Temple built during this period at THIRUVANNAMALAI.TINDIVANAM,GINJEE are famous.

They patronised saivism and promoted linga worship. Mahamaham festival ,sivarathiri,and Ekathesi festivals were celebrated. During the period of THIRUMALLAI NAYAK introduced CHITHIRAI THIRUVIZHA,THEPPA THIRUVILZHA and THER THIRUVILAH.

VAISHNAVISM AND SAIVISM Nayaks helped to growth of saivism and vaishnavism. At that time the chiristian and musilim also developed. Vadakala and thenkalai were developed. Manavala mamunigal gave their support thir thenkalai. Madurai veeran,pommi,vellaiyammal,worship also prevailed.

CHIRISTIANITY Robert t-Nobile, Fernastras both helped for development of christianity. Sea shore people rose against chiristianity.. Chiristianity cannot enter maravar community, Chiristianity was preached by john-d- britto. He was assanated ,others were tortured.

FESTIVALS Some festivals were introduced this period. MEENAKSHI THIRUKALYANAM. NAVARATHIRI, VIJAYADASAMI, THAIPUSAM. AVANI PITTU. KARTHIGAI MONTH. IYYPASSI DEBAVALI. PONGAL IN THAI WERE MOST IMPORTANT.

RELIGIOUS ACTIVIES The administation of vishvantha wittnessed the growth of religious activities. He renovated various hindu temples. Madurai meenakshi sundhareshwarar temple was renovated during this period. He constructed most famous AYIRAMKAL MANDAPAM at madurai. He sent three lakhs for the renovation of the THIRUVARANGA PERUMAL TEMPLE. Street and houses were constructed around the temple to encorage habbitation.

He also paid special attention to the development of the temples at trichy and srirangam. Special consesions and privilleges were given to the bhramins. The koiyilolugu records revealed these facts.

THIRUMALAI NAYAK Thirumalai occupied an important place in the history of tamilnadu. He renovated and rehabbilated the temple in madurai. He donated few villages including AYALANUR. He convert to madurai is a festival city. He conduct attractive festivals frequntly. THIRUVILAYADAL festival AND THEPPATHIRUVIZHA were prominent.

The famous Thirumalai nayakar mahal was constructed during his region. It was living monument.

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