ASHTAMUDY

POLITICS OF STATE CONTROL OVER TEMPLES IN KERALA: A STUDY  UGC MINOR RESEARCH PROJECT FINAL REPORT INTRODUCTION 1.1  Introduction  Temples in Kerala are famous for their sanctity and serenity which are rarely seen in other parts of the country. In the past, temples were the centre of spiritual as  well as  material life of the hindu community in Kerala. They were not only centres of worship but also power maintained through the network of king and members of dominant castes. There were times in olden days that temples acted as the focal points in a particular village, where villagers are gathered together and find solutions for their day to day problems. They have played a pivotal role in the social, financial, cultural and educational fields of the state. As ever before, they continue to play an important role in the religious life of the Hindus today.               ...