Lighting oil/ghee lamps in Temples considered as one of the greatest virtues since ages.
In ancient times, people donated goats, cows, buffaloes to Temples to light lamps.
To light a perpetual lamp, Temples collected 96 Goats/48 Cows/16 Buffaloes as deposit from donors.
As per one of the inscriptions on the enclosure wall in Thanjavur Brihadeeshwara Temple, 78 perpetual lamps were lit by Rajaraja in the Temple everyday, amongst, 59 of them were lit using cow ghee & the rest using goat ghee.
The livestock he donated to the Temple to light lamps as per the inscriptions,
Malayadippatti, Oli Pathi Vishnu Gruham, Kan Niraindha Perumal Temple, a rock cut cave Temple by Pandyas belonging to 7-8th Century CE, Pudhukkottai District, TN.
12 Kms from Aasoor on Trichy-Thanjavur NH 83. #WalkToTemple
On the eastern lateral wall, Vaikunta Perumal is carved in seated posture, on the left is Hayagriva, which is unique to this Temple.
On the western lateral wall, Pundareekaksha Perumal is carved in standing posture, on his right, Nrusimha.
The entire Mandapa & the Murthis, except Sayana Padhmanabha are covered with paintings from Pandya era, retouched by Nayakkas.
On the roof, all 10 incarnations of Vishnu depicted in paintings, but only few of the paintings are intact, rest are covered with camphor smoke.
Preacher Samuel Jaisundar of "Scripture Union" a Christian Org, spreading Bible, sending obscene messages to School children, asking them to send their photos wearing skirt, frock, asking their bedtime dresses, if they had kissing experiences etc, allege parents!
Girl students from schools where he used to visit for Bible classes allege that he used to touch inappropriately & insisted them to give him their WhatsApp numbers.
Detailed report on today's TNIE.
Let's see if TN Parties, particularly DMK & Congress, that held Candle Light march against Hathras rape, even condemn this sex crime against children by a Bible Preacher!