Unique Architecture of Kerala Temples

The temple architecture of Kerala is a unique mixture of Dravidian and Vedic architectural science (Vastu Shastra) that remained dominant over two millennia with local influence. Temple has its own architecture thesis derived and codified under various tantric laws. There are several temple architectural thesis that shined at the time, they are Tantra Samuchaya, Thachu-Shastra, Manushyalaya-Chandrika, and Silparatna. All of this thesis have drawn inspiration from the Buddhism motif. Dome-shaped roofs are inspired from Buddhist stupa. This is mainly because Buddhism was once the defining and dominant religion of Kerala in ancient times and with the rise of Brahminical Hinduism, the Buddhist traditions got absorbed into local Hindu.

Kerala has a scarcity of several natural resources like Granite etc. Hence the majority of constructions are done using laterite soil which is available in plenty in the state. The walls are usually paved with Laterite bricks, plastered with mud and lime. As Kerala is a forest-rich state, instead of stone works, it’s always heavy woodworks and mural paintings based on natural vegetable dyes. The roofing is almost always Wood-based, covered with Clay tiles, while the Sanctum Sanctorum (The Sreekovil) is roofed with a Copper sheet which insulates and protects it from fires or lightning. The most distinguishable features of the Kerala temples are not only its simple, but elegant appearance, but also the construction materials that provide the unique aesthetics. The temple is crafted with a magical combination of stone, wood, stucco works and painting--brings out the essence of the colorful traditions of Kerala.

The major deities of Kerala temples are Ayyappan, Bhagavathy, Siva, Vishnu, Naga, Vishnu, Krishna, Muruga, Sree Rama, Vinayaka etc. There are also Narasimha temples and Anjaneya Swami temples in Kerala, along with hundreds of other locally known deities. Sri Datta Anjaneya Kshetram, Aluva is one of the most famous temples in Aluva, with Hanuman, also known as Anjaneya, as the major deity.