The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c11.43

v1.c11.43

**Fifth objection:** The prohibition to build temples for Śiva within the boundary of a town or village, can be looked upon only as a counterpart of the law which excludes Pariahs, Caṇḍālas and other low castes from the right of dwelling in a town or village inhabited by the higher orders of the Aryan race; and if so, it must follow that the divinity belonged to the low caste people, or the aboriginal races, and not to the Aryans. Doubtless the prohibition has long since ceased to be effective, and there is not a single town throughout the length and breadth of India, which, being largely inhabited by the Hindus, has, if not several, at least one Śivite temple of importance, but the memory of the prohibition implies that at one time or other such temples were looked upon with disfavour.