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The salais at Muzhikulam, Thiruvalla, Kanthalur, Parthivapuram etc. 83 were famous during the Kulasekhara age.' All expenses of education, including food and accommodation were met by the temples. It was compulsory that students should stay in the salais. Of these salais

67 Kandalur salai was the most famous. There has been some controversy regarding the location of Kanthalur salai. There are two opinions, one holding that it was Near Vizhinjam in Neyyattinkara Taluk and the other it was at Tiruvanantapuram itself. The Partivapuram grant of Karanantatakkam states that the rules of the Kanthalur salai and binding on Partivapuram salais also. 84 It is believed that Kanthalur salai was also 85 established by Karunantadakkan. Institutions like Kanthalur and Partivapuram, being devoted to higher education did not admit a large number of students. Admissions to these salais were on a restricted scale and on the basis of pure merit. Parthivapuram salai had only 95 seats for the admission they were divided among three disciplines viz. pavizhiya caranam (45) taittiriya caranam (36) and talavakara caranam (14). A person could get admission to the salais only on the strength of a certificate from five sattars that he was qualified as a vyakarana, mimamsaka and purohita and also that he had ottu or vedic training which qualified him for religions practice in the three kingdoms of chola 86 chera and pandya. Salais worked like boarding schools, intended exclusively for the higher education of the Brahmin youth and not for the general education of all community members. In the salais were taught Vedas the sastras and other branches of learning. Discipline among the

68 pupils was strictly enforced. The use of abusive or obscene words within the precincts of the salai was strictly forbidden. The pupil were strictly prohibited from carrying weapons. They were not permitted to engage maid servants. Because of the intensive teachinglearning activities and the strict enforcement of discipline the Kanthalur salai became an ideal educational institution. Referring to kanthalur salai, Desivinayagam Pillai says, "Kanthalur salai was an ancient institution, the Nalanda of the south and it was looked upon as a model by the people of that time. 87 Kanthalur and Parthivapuram salais were established by the Ay kings. After the end of the Ay kings, Kulasekharas of Mahodayapuram continued them Thiruvalla and Muzhikulam salais had also came into prominence. Thiruvalla and Muzhikualm salais admitted hundreds of students and provided them with free boarding, lodging and tuition. This salais offered specialized courses in such subjects as Darma (philosophy), Vyakarana (grammar), Mimamsa (theology), and Dharmasastra (law) etc. The pupils of the salais gave the maximum consideration and respects. th 88 During the 11 century during the Chera-Chola conflict Kanthalur and other salais were converted into military academies. Manikanteswara temple inscription at Kottarakkara during the 12th or 13th century mentions. salais attached to the temple and also certain restrictions and privileges in

69 regard to admission. The literary works of the 13th and 14th century refers to the chattas or pupils of the vedic schools of Thirumarutur, Sukapuram and other places continued the legacy of the earlier salais. 89 Gradually the salais lost their interest in intellectual pursuits and took to military training. They began to decline in character and as a result of the degenerating influence of the Devadasis or dancing girls in the later periods.