music and temples

For many centuries, temples in India have been not only places of worship, but also places of learning. Students pursued their studies under their Acharayas, in the holy precincts of temples in a spirit of reverence and devotion.

 

 

 

In India, Music and dance were never conceived of as mere items of entertainment, but as subjects of worthy of serious study and practice by even the greatest men and women of the land. They helped the thinking men and women to understand something of infinite. Temples in the past also played an important part in the preservation and development of fine arts. The institution of music in temples was conceived and planned in a spirit of offering to the Deity and was not something optional, but an integral and compulsory part of temple ritual and worship. It is not without significance that Divinities and Celestials are associated with music, musical instruments and dance. The performance of music in temple rituals had a special significance. 

 

 

 

From the 15 century onwards 'Bhajans' as a special form of worship took shape. The bhakti movement of the medieval period gave a great impetus to this form of worship and the masses took it with great fervour and enthusiasm. Bhajans came to be performed on sacred days. Men and women, old and young all alike took part in the democratic form of worship, either as singers or as a devout listeners. In fact bhajans became the first introduction for the child to the realm of music.