TEMPLES OF KERALA

ARCHITECTURAL STYLE
In Kerala it is different from the other areas in India.

GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
The geographical features of the place largely determine the temple style of a region. Kerala has rich forest cover together with good monsoon showers thus resulting in distinctive structures of the temples.

ROOFS
are steep and needlelike covered with copper sheets. are similar to the temples of the Himalayan regions and the East Asia. shape depends on the plan of the sanctum below. A circular plan has a conical roof, while a square plan has a pyramidal roof The roof is made of wood and is covered with copper plates

FEATURES
The central sanctum of a Keralite temple is referred to as the Sree Kovil. It is surrounded by a cloistered prakara, pierced at one or more cardinal points with a gopuradwara. The cloistered prakaram has a namaskara mandapam located directly in front of the sanctum. This prakaram also houses subsidiary shrines. A kitchen is located in the south eastern corner of this cloistered prakaram. The mukha mandapam is integrated with the gopura entrance. The flagstaff or dwaja stambham is located outside

FEATURES
The balipitham may be located in the mukhamandapam or in the outer courtyard. The outer prakaram or courtyard houses other subshrines, and optionally a temple tank. The Kuttambalam or the theater hall of the Keralite temple is located either as a part of the inner prakara, on the south east corner facing north, or as a separate hall outside the innermost prakaram, either facing into the temple or facing north. This has a stage, raised from the rest of the floor, and a backstage area. This is the site of the performance of Kathakali or Chakkiyar koothu recitals. Thus the kuttambalam plays a role in educating visitors on the rich legends of the Indian cultural fabric.

FEATURES
The Keralite temple is an amalgam of stonework, wood work, stucco work and painting The inner skeletal framework of the temple is of wood, although the base and the structure above are of granite and laterite respectively. The roof projects out at several levels, in order to protect the inner skeletal framework from the monsoons The Kerala temple walls are of coursed laterite stone masonry plastered in mud and lime. Murals are seen on several of these temple walls.

FEATURES
Another distictive feature of Keralite temples is the use of vilakku maadam, or the multi-tiered brass lamps in front of temples. Lakshadeepam is a spectacular celebration of traditional lighting where tiers of small oil lamps lining the outer walls of the inner prakaram are lit. Temples have held an important place in the life of Keralites.

HISTORY
is closely related to that of the neighboring state of Tamilnadu. dates back to the Cheras of the 3rd century BC. are referenced in the works of the Tamil Alwar Saints and the Nayanmar Saints. Bhakti literatures played an important role in the temple culture of Kerala Maharajas of Travancore were ardent patrons of temples.

HISTORY
The earlier cave temples of Kerala were influenced by the rock cut temple styles of the Tamil region. Materials used : stone, brick, laterite and wood Bhagawati and Sastha are the most popular of the deities enshrined in temples. The temple culture of Kerala also stresses the importance of the ancient Indian epics. The temple culture in Kerala is based on Vedic moorings, in contrast to the Agamic traditions of Tamilnadu.

HISTORY
The sustenance of ancient practices of worship, causes devotees to step into a different world upon entering the temple precincts. For instance, the use of oil lamps in contrast to electric lamps, lends an air of sereneity and mysticism to all Keralite temples. In contrast to Tamilnadu, the Keralite temple tradition focuses only on the deity enshrined in the sanctum (moola bhera) and has no importance laid on processional deities (utsava bhera).

LIFE OF THE PEOPLE

Temples have held an important place in the life of the people of Kerala. Several temples in Kerala trace their origins to antiquity. However, they were renovated frequently and the current structures that are seen are vastly a result of the numerous renovations.