Temple Functionaries and Their Roles

Temple Functionaries and Ritual Personnel

• The temple maintained a variety of servants responsible for both ritual and non-ritual duties.
• Tantri: Serves as the chief priest and a primary functionary of the temple.
• Potuval or samnjitan: Acts as the secretary, mediator, or madhyastha.
• Śānti: Designated as the priest for temple rituals.
• Värier: The functionary tasked with managing flowers and oblations, as well as ensuring the cleanliness of the sanctum.
• Uvaccaka!: Integral regular functionaries who serve as the temple drummers.

Functional Organization

• Personnel were categorized to ensure all aspects of temple service, from administrative mediation to ritual worship, were discharged properly.
• These roles represent the standard regular functionaries within the temple structure.