A History of South India from Prehistoric Times to the Fall of Vijayanagar c20.35

c20.35

Under the Rāyas of Vijayanagar all types of religion found encouragement, and most of the famous temples of South India were enlarged at this time, particularly by the addition of large gōpuras or entrance towers and corridors and maṇḍapas. A few temples were altogether rebuilt on a new integral plan, like that of Madura under Tirumalai Nāyaka (1623-59). The periodical festivals in most of these temples were also richly endowed, and brought together people from all classes of society including groups of peripatetic merchants and traders. The festivals of the capital city of Vijayanagar, in particular the Mahānavami (nine days' festival) in October, were occasions of great display which have been described by many foreign travellers who had occasion to witness them. Their accounts leave little doubt that there was widespread slaughter of buffaloes and sheep as sacrifices to the goddess, hook-swinging, and other bad practices of a similar character.