Name: Bi Bi Ameena & Ramegowda.C
Country: India

Year: 2025
Volume: Volume No: 10, Issue No: 2, Year: 2025 (Special Issue)
Page Number: 5-14
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17995975

ABSTRACT
An attempt is made in this research article to explain about Temples as Educational Centres in Agraharas in South India with Special Reference to Vijayanagara Period. Religious institution like temples, Agraharas and Mathas of Vijayanagara City played an important role and promoted the cause of religion and also served as centres of religious activity and learning. Education in its beginning was religious. Religious establishments like Hindu temples of different faiths, mathas and agraharas became centres of education.

With the introduction of Jainism and Buddhism, monastic establishments evolved. This had its impact
on Hindu Religion and tradition was continued by the acharyas and the priests of the Hindu temples, and mathas. Education was been given much importance for the ancient times. Education was patronized by the rulers, nobles, merchants and the people of all strata of the society.

Many factors such as ethical, social and religious contributed to the development of education in the medieval times. As Vijayanagara city was developed, large number of people belonging to different regions, communities and professions came and settled there. The king took great interest in providing education to the members of the royal family nobles, military servants, merchants, and other subjects. As it was in ancient Karnataka, even in medieval period temples were the centres of education.

Key Words: Agraharas – Residences of Bhramins Donated by the King Temples –Religious Centre for Promoting of Education, Finearts etc.
Dana – Gift, Curiculam – Various Subjects Taught