TEMPLE COMPLEX

Generally the temple complex of Kerala falls under the Pancha Prakara (five enclosures around the Sanctum Sanctorum). They are (i) Akathe Balivattom (inner-most part), (ii) Chuttambalam or Nalambalam (second enclosure), (iii) Vilakkumadam (third enclosure), (iv) Purathe Balivattom or Sivelippura (place where Bali Peetas and subsidiary deities are installed), and (v) Maryada or  Puram Mathil (outer wall).  Each Prakara keeps a specified distance from the Sree Kovil (Sanctum sanctorum).

Lay-out of temple

Sree Kovil (Sanctum Sanctorum)

Sree Kovil (Sanctum Sanctorum)is the most sacred structure where the presence of God is believed. There are five types of Sree Kovil based on shape. They are (i) Square, (ii) Rectangle, (iii) Circular, (iv) Elliptical, and (v) Apsidal.  Of these five first three are common in Kerala. Sree Kovil consists of three major portions viz., Girbha Graha, Sopana and Namaskara Mandapa. Girbha Graha is the centre of the Sree Kovil fixed based on certain measurements with a raised peetha (platform) to consecrate the idol. It is the innermost sanctum. An inner wall and an external wall may enclose the Girbha Graha. The approach to Sree Kovil is through Sopana (steps). It is built in the front portion of Sree Kovil from the ground level to the front door of the Mukha-Mandapa of the Sree Kovil. The Sopana is generally made up of granite. Namaskara Mandapa is a pillared hall at the front portion of Sree Kovil. Usually this is seen only in those temples where idols are installed in an elevated platform. It is the place for prostration by the temple priests.

Circular
Square
Rectangular
Apsidal
Sopana
Namaskara Mandapam

  

Chuttambalam or Nalambalam

Chuttambalam or Nalambalam is a separate structure and contains Valiambalam, Thidappalli, nilayara, sub-shrines, store etc.  Both sides of the main entrance of Nalambalam are known as Valiambalam. Thidappally is located at the north or north east of Nalambalam. It is the place where specified cereals and pulses are germinated after tantric rites during Ulsava bali. Thidapally is kitchen. According to Vasthu Sasthra, Thidapply should be located at the Northeast of Nalambalam, which is the position of the Agni Devatha (Lord of Fire). All the cooking of Nivedya (offerings for the deity) is done here and authorised priests alone are allowed to enter Thidapally and cook. 

Vilakkumadam

It is a structure with column fixed with innumerable lamps.  It is located 5 or 10 feet from the inner side of the wall of Nalambalam. Generally, the lamps are made up of brass or iron and fixed at equal distance. Vilakkumadam is not seen generally in all temples though several lamps are fixed on pillars and walls of Chuttambalam as there is no circumambulatory space between Nalambalam and its outer wall where lamps are fixed.

Purathe Balivattom or Sivelippura
Purathe Balivattom or Sivelippura comprises of Agra Mandapa containing Valia Balikkal and ganadevathas of main deity, outer pradakshina veedhi, Dwajasthambha, Kshethrapalakas, Koothambalam, shrines of oher deities etc. In short it covers all bali peetas and structures in between the Vilakkumadam and the outer wall.

Agra Mandapa is a hall attached to the main entrance to the Valiambalam. It is an enclosed structure. In majority of temples Valia Balikkal is installed here.

Valia Balikkal or Principal Bali Peeta

Valia Balikkal is at the front of the main entrance of the deity. The position of the Valia Balikkal is at the prescribed distance from the centre of the Sree Kovil. Bali peeta is a platform for offering to the deities.

Outer Bali Peetas and Kshethrapalakas
In addition to the principal bali peeta there are other seven bali peetas at important points.  It is believed that these seven bali peetas represent dwaja with asta-dik-palakas and ganadevathas of the principal deity.

Outside of the bali peetas there is pradakshina vazhi or circumambulatory path at a prescribed distance from the centre of the Girbha Graha. The bali peeta and Kshethrapala are positioned outside the north-east corner of the pradikshina vazhi for the protection of sanctum.

Dhwaja Sthambha (Flag Staff)

Dhwaja Sthambha is erected in front of the Sree Kovil on the pradikshina vazhi at the prescribed distance from the centre of Girbha GrahaDhwaja Sthambha symbolises the Kundalini Sakthi. Its base is considered as Mooladhara and the top Sahasrara.  The Vahana at the top of the dhwaja sthambha represents the Sahasrarachakra.  It is believed that worshipping the dwaja is equal to worshipping of the main deity of the temple.

Koothambalam (Temple Theatre)

Koothambalam is the large hall constructed in front at the right side of the principal deity where various temple arts such as Koothu, Koodiyattam, Ottamthullan, Krishnattom, Kath kali etc. are performed.

Maryada (Outer Wall)

The fifth prakara is Maryada or Puram Mathil (outer wall). There may be temples with or without outer wall.

Gopura

In Kerala, gopura is normally constructed in the outer wall of the temple. The temples of Kerala are having very few numbers of floors except in very few temples like Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple at Thiruvananthapuram.

Sacred Trees and Plants

From the very ancient period, people worshipped trees, plants, animals, birds and serpents. Even now this form of nature worship can be seen in Kerala. Sacred groves, Althara (a platform made around the Arayal tree), temples exclusively dedicated to serpents, worship of certain animals as vahana of deities are some of the examples.

Among sacred trees, Arayal (Peepul tree) and Peral (Banyan tree) are most important. The Arayal is worshipped as it represents Trimoorthees, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva. It is believed that Lord Brahma represents the root, Lord Vishnu the middle portion and Lord Siva the top of tree. Taking pradikshana around the Arayal tree is considered auspicious. Planting an Arayal is an act of devoutness and any attempt to destroy it is a great sin.

Althara

Buds of Peral (Banyan tree) are used for pooja and homa (sacrificial rite). Koovalam (Bilwa or Bael tree) is another sacred plant planted in temples. Its leaves are used for pooja of Lord Siva but prohibited in temples of Lord Vishnu. Tulsi (sacred basil) leaves are used in all temples. Tulsi is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi. Being a sacred plant, Tulsi leaves should not be plucked before watering the plant. The leaves may be plucked while doing pradakshina.

Asterisk / Constellation trees

Each asterisk of the zodiac is associated with a tree.  In olden days, temples used to plant these trees. Trees corresponding to each asterisk are given below. It is believed that planting a tree associated with one's star will bring good luck to him.

Sl.No.

Asterisk / Constellation

Name of trees

Malayalam

English

Botanical

1

Aswathy

Kanjiram

Strychnine Tree

Stychnos nux vomica

2

Bharani

Nelli

Indian Gooseberry

Phyllanthus emblica

3

Karthika

Athhi

Country Fig

Ficus racemosa

4

Rohini

Njaval

Jamun / Rose Apple

Eugenia jambolana

5

Makeeram

Karingali

Cucth / Khadira Tree

Acacia catechu

6

Thiruvathira

Kumbil

Cashmere Tree

Diospyros candolleana

7

Punartham

Mula

Bamboo

Bambusa arundinacea

8

Pooyam

Arayal

Pipal Tree

Ficus religiosa

9

Ayilyam

Nagapoo

Messua Tree

Musua ferrea

10

Makam

Peraal

Banyan Tree

Ficus benghalensis

11

Pooram

Chamatha

Flame of Forest

Butea monosperma

12

Uthram

Iththi

Indian Laurel

Ficus microcarpa

13

Atham

Ambazham

Hog Plum Tree

Spondias mangifera

14

Chithira

Koovalam

Beal Tree

Aegle marmelos

15

Chothi

Maruthu

Arjuna Tree

Terminalia arjuna

16

Vishakham

Vayyankatha

Governor's Plum

Flacourtia cataphracta

17

Anizham

Elanji

Bullet Wood Tree

Mimusops elengi

18

Ketta

Pachotti

Bodh Tree

Aporosa lindleyana

19

Moolam

Vella Kunthirikkam

White Dammar

Boswellia serrata

20

Pooradam

Samudrakai

Fish Poison Tree

Alstonia scholaris

21

Uthradam

Plavu

Jack Fruit Tree

Artocarpus heterophyllus

22

Thiruvonam

Erukku

Gigantic Swallow

Calotropis gigantea

23

Avittam

Muringa

Drumstick Tree

Moringa oleifera

24

Chathayam

Kadambu

Kadam Tree

Anthocephalus indicus

25

Pururuttathy

Veppu

Neem Tree

Azadirachta indica

26

Uthrittathy

Mavu

Mango Tree

Mangifera indica

27

Revathy

Ilippa

Butter Tree

Madhyca longifolia

Well and Temple pond

A well or a tank (pond) is an important part of the temple for drawing water. The Maha Vishnu Temple, Thirunelli in Wayanad district has no well or tank. In earlier days water was drawing from the nearby river. Later, a granite water channel that brings water from the nearby mountain has been constructed. Perhaps this may be only temple in Kerala that has no well or tank.  Normally the position of well in a temple is at north-east part within chuttambalam.

 

Ootupura

In all the important temples, there are Oottupura or dining hall with attached kitchen.  Formerly, it was used to serve food to Brahmins and devotees on festival days.