TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE

The temples in our Islands are unique for their simplicity, purity, and age-old traditions rooted in Vedic ethos, which continue to be maintained and no changes have been made in the heritage structures. The temples have used building materials like laterite stones, bricks, wood, metal, lime.  They have preserved the age old architectural construction techniques of mastery and carpentry based on ‘Thachusastra’, the ancient indigenous architecture. Temples here also manifest the expertise of the local artisans in their wood carvings. The gabled roof was evolved at the two ends to provide attic ventilation and it helped in reducing the heat. The base model of a temple is usually square or rectangular plain shapes with a long, steep sloping roof. This was built in this manner to protect the building walls and to withstand the heavy monsoon. The roof is normally laid with tiles supported on a roof frame made of hard wood. Often the walls were also made of timber which was in abundance here.  

The inner ‘Sri-Kovil’, sanctum sanctorum, is the place where the idol of the presiding deity is installed and worshiped. It is an independent structure, detached from the other buildings with no connections to the other buildings. Even its roof stands separate and shared with none. It does not have any windows. There is only one large door opening mostly towards east. Normally the Sri-kovil is on a raised platform and has a flight of two to three steps, which are called the Sopanapadi and on sides of the Sopanapadi, two large statues known as ‘Dwarapalakas’, door guards, are craved to guard the deity. As per Kerala ritual, the ‘Thantri’, who is the main priest and the ‘Melshanti’, second priest, are allowed to enter into the Sri-kovil. The ‘Namaskara Mandapa’ is a square shaped pavilion with a raised platform. It has a set of pillars and a pyramidal roof. The Mandapams are used to conduct Vedic-Thantric rites.

The outer grounds of Temple, called ‘Chuttuambalam’. The shrine and the Mandapa building are enclosed in a rectangular structure called the ‘Nalambalam’. Functionally the rear and side hall of the Nalambalam serves for various activities related to the ritualistic worship. The front hall pierces through the entry, dividing it into two parts. These two halls; ‘Agrasalas’ which is used for feeding Brahmins, performing yagas and the ‘Koothu-ambalam’ is used for staging temple arts such as ‘Koothu’, dance, musical performances and religious recitals. In big temples, Koothu-ambalam is a separate, unique edifice outside Nalambalam.

Normally within Nalambalam, a separate complex is constructed for cooking food meant to serve the deity and for distribution among devotees as holy ‘Prasadam’. Such complexes are called ‘Thevapura’, where the holy fire is invoked.

At the entrance of Nalambalam, a square shaped raised stone altar called ‘Balithara’ can be seen. This altar is used to make ritualistic offerings to demi-gods and other spirits. Inside the Nalambalam, several small stones, called ‘Balikallukal’ can be seen, meant for same purpose. A ‘Deepastambham’ and ‘Dwajasthambham’, the lamp post and the flag mast, are added in front of the ‘Balikkal Mandapam’.

Another significant feature of the temples is the presence of annually cleaned, exquisite, usable and large ponds where elders perform water-related rituals. Water is considered as a source of positive energy. Hence a temple pond or ‘Ambala-Kulam’ will be made available within the temple complex. The temple pond is normally used only by priests as holy bath before start of rituals as well as for various sacred rituals within the temple. In few cases, a separate pond will be constructed to allow devotees to bathe before entering in temple. Some temples have Holy Well within the Nalambalam complex to get sacred water for purposes of ‘Abisekham’.  The use of elephants in temples is another attraction. There are also offerings of flowers and incense considered adequate for the purpose. In some of the temples there would be a ‘Padippura’, an entrance door with a tiled roof.

Excerpts from

MEMOIRS

An autobiography

by

Joseph J. Thayamkeril

Lawyer, Kochi, Kerala, India.

josephjthayamkeril.blogspot.com