by Rabia Shireen
Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore, made generous contributions to many Hindu temples and monastic orders in the State during his period.
He patronized about 156 dominant Hindu temples.
He donated four silver bowls to Sri Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangapatna, used even today for daily puja rituals.
Tipu’s name and ‘Sri Krishna’ have been engraved on the four silver vessels.
He had ordered the installation of Shiva idol [jade linga] at the Nanjundeshwara temple at Nanjangud.
The Linga there is known as ‘Padsha linga’ because Tipu, the “ruler,” donated it.
The Sultan had given 123.04 Acres of land to Triprayar Sri Rama temple in 1776.
According to the temple’s prevailing rituals, the ‘sanctum sanctorum’ is closed in the night only after hearing ‘Sulthante Vedi,’ a firework instituted by Tipu Sultan, a gesture of respect to the principal deity.
Tipu also patronized the Sringeri monastery in Bednar, maintained a close relationship with the convent, sent forth valuable gifts, and rewarded it tax-free land.
In 1791, the Marathas invaded the Mysore district of Bednur, ransacked the Sringeri monastery of its prominent wealth, and destroyed the temple’s presiding deity idol “Sharada.”
Swamy Sankaracharya who fled the attack, wrote urgently to Tipu asking for his help to reconsecrate the idol.
Tipu Sultan, deeply grieved, replied, “People who have sinned against such a holy place are sure to suffer the consequences of their misdeeds at no distant date.”
The Sultan made monetary provisions to sanctify Goddess “Sharada” and sent his souvenir gifts for the idol.
B. A. Salatore describes Tipu as the ‘defender of Hindu dharma’ while debating the ‘Maratha raid on Sringeri Mutt.’
The 80-feet tall stone pillar in front of the Kote Venkataramana Temple in Chamarajpet saved Tipu Sultan from a British cannonball during the Third Anglo-Mysore War in 1791.
It is said that Tipu paid respects to the deity regularly.
Today, temple authorities like to remember the incident as one that made the shrine a symbol of religious brotherhood.
He had granted a total of 194.51 acres of tax-free land to Mutharekunnath Bhagavathi Temple, as evidenced by Inam Register.
Tipu had also contributed to the Lakshmikanta temple at Kalale in Nanjangud taluk;
the Narayanaswami temple at Melkote;
the Srikanteshwara temple at Nanjangud.
The grand Dasara was celebrated with a member of the Wodeyar royal family leading over the festivities.
Both Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan respected religions and shared their palace courtyard with a Hindu temple.
