Shepherds and Their Duties in Ancient Temples of TamilNadu

                Shepherds and Their Duties in Ancient                             Temples  of TamilNadu 

References to the shepherds and the priests are found in the Sangam literature. Their main occupation was herding cattle. These shepherds evolved into "Manradis" during the Pallavas and Cholas. "Manradis" means those who look after the cattle donated to the temple by kings, officials and the common people. Not only shepherds, but also priests were responsible for this. 

They lit lamps with ghee and other products obtained from the donated cattle. In some inscriptions, they are called "Kotta Manradis". The kings and nobles gave them many gifts.

Shepherds in the maintenance of lights

The responsibility of lighting lamps, not only in the temples, but also in the temples, was vested in the “Idaiyar” (or “Ayar”). They were called “Manradygal”. They are mentioned in the inscriptions as “Thiru Vilku Manrady” and “Thiru Vilku Idayar”.
They used to extract ghee from the milk obtained from the donated cattle and use it to light lamps. Due to this, they were given the title “Thiru Vilku Manrady citizens”. The kings gave tax subsidies and exemptions from some taxes to the people of Thiru Vilku.
The lamps lit by the shepherds and the ayar in the temples were called by their names. For example,

Solaik Kon Vilku, Sooraikon Vilku, Ilayyaperuman Vilku and Malayan Periya Nattu Kon Vilku.
The word “Kon” in these refers to the ayar. In some temples, the ayar did not only have lamps but also had the Mageswaras.

Conclusion
Most of the inscriptions found in Tamil Nadu contain the words "Manradas". Their main job was to maintain the cattle provided to the temples, just like the present-day Kosalas. For this, they would receive donations and income from the kings. If you study the inscriptions in their entirety, you will find such details. Manradas are mentioned more in the Chola inscriptions than in the Pallava inscriptions.

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