Thread by @Ethirajans

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,

2832 Cows & 1344 Goats.

An inscription of Rajaraja, from his 8th reignal year, in Kizhapazhuvur Alanduraiyar Temple has recorded an interesting info..

Two soldiers of Ilaya Ranamuga Raman Battalion, Baladevan Vairi & Velalar Kizhavan Namban had indulged in sword fight in which Baladevan was killed..1/2

As a punishment, Velalar Kizhavan Namban was asked to donate 90 goats to Alanduraiyar Temple & light a perpetual lamp in Baladevan's memory. 2/2

Another inscription from Rajaraja's 12th reignal year in the same Temple has recorded a similar info..

Two bodyguards of the king Kunjaramallan Murukkan & Thenpalanpadi Aiyaran indulged in a fight in which Murukkan was killed.

Aiyaran was asked to light a perpetual lamp.