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Religious faith and worship of God is what distinguishes man from other living creatures. What is religion? It is nothing but a code of conduct ensuing out of faith in God and worship of God.
Tamil culture is called temple culture. There is a Tamil proverb which says " Don’t live in a town which has no temple" . Even in sangam age there were temples like முக்கட் செல்வர் நகர். The origin of temples could be traced to the நடுகல் or stone planted in earth. The early temples were built of brick and mortar. The Pallava King Mahendra Varman was the first to build rock temples. He built temples for திருமால், சிவன் and மும்மூர்த்திகள் in different places. Other great temple builders were இராசராசன் and இராசேந்திரன்.
Temples were centres for social welfare schemes. During times of famine people sold themselves to the temple and were fed there. Hospitals operated inside the temples. Medicinal herbs were cultivated. Schools also functioned there; they taught the vedas and medicine.
People beleived that lighting lamps in temples would earth them divine favour. Oil for நந்தா விளக்கு or eternal flame was donated by many. Some gave oil or ghee. Others donated cows, buffaloes and goats.
Monasteries or mutts had a significant role to play in Tamil history. There were nearly 20 mutts. They were named after the gods, kings or devotees.
Inscriptions also tell us about religions - mainly Saivism, People named their children after Saivate saints like திருஞான சம்பந்தர் and நாவுக்கரசர். Towers also were named after gods. There was religious hormony and the kings donated liberally to Jain, Islamic and Christian Places of worship.