Architecture of Kerala: Difference between revisions

[[File:Poornathrayisa back side.JPG|thumb|right|The entrance of Poornathrayisa temple in [[Tripunithura]], redesigned in 1921 by Sri Eachara Warrier]]

[[File:Hill Palace by GV-1.JPG|thumb|right|[[Hill Palace, Tripunithura|Tripunithura Hill Palace]], which was the administrative office of Cochin Rajas]]

'''Kerala architecture''' is a kind of architectural style that is found mostly in the [[India]]n [[States of India|state]] of [[Kerala]]. Kerala's style of architecture is a unique architecture that emerged in the southwest part of India, in its striking contrast to [[Dravidian architecture]] which is normally practised in other parts of [[South India]]. The architecture of Kerala has been performed/followed according to Indian Vedic architectural science ([[Vastu Shastra]]) and a part of the [[Dravidian architecture]], one of the three styles of temples mentioned in the ancient books of [[Vastu shastra|Vastu Shastra]]. The Tantrasamuchaya, Thachu-Shastra, [[Manushyalaya Chandrika|Manushyalaya-Chandrika]], and Silparatna are important architectural sciences, which have had a strong impact on Kerala Architecture style. The Manushyalaya-Chandrika, a work devoted to domestic architecture is one such science that has its strong roots in Kerala.

The variety of temples, numbering more than 2000 dotting the Kerala state has no match with any other regions of India. The temples of Kerala highly developed in strict accordance to two temple construction thesis, Thantra-Samuchayam and Shilparatnam. While the former deals in developing structures that regulates [[Energy (esotericism)|energy flows]] so that positive energy flows in, while negative energy do not trend to remain retarded within the structure; whereas the latter deals in developing stone and timber architecture in such manner that each carved structure imbibe a life and personality of its own.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralahistory.ac.in/keralaarchitecture.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=2011-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721082519/http://www.keralahistory.ac.in/keralaarchitecture.htm |archive-date=2011-07-21 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Elements and features of Kerala Temple ===

* '''Sri-Kovil'''

The inner sanctum sanctorum where the idol of the presiding deity is installed and worshiped. It shall be an independent structure, detached from other buildings with no connections, and having its own roof shared with none. The Sri-kovil does not have any windows and has only one large door opening mostly towards the east (sometimes it happens towards the west, whereas a few temples have a north-facing door as its specialty, while no temples will have a south-facing door).

* '''Nalambalam'''

The shrine and the mandapa building are enclosed in a rectangular structure called the nalambalam. Functionally the rear and side halls of the nalambalam serves for various activities related to the ritualistic worship. The front hall is pierced with the entry, dividing it into two parts. These two halls; Agrasalas which used for feeding Brahmans, performing yagas and while Koothuambalam are used for staging temple arts such as koothu and temple murals. In few cases, Koothuambalams are separated as an individual structure outside Nalambalam.

* '''Balithara'''

At the entrance of Nalambalam, a square shaped raised stone altar called as 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.

[[File:Edathua Church sideView.jpg|thumb|right|A Syro-Malabar Church with a mixture of Portuguese and Kerala architecture]]

Historical evidences suggest that the second wave of christianity in Kerala came from [[Edessa]] in ancient Persia by the migration of the [[Jewish Christian|Jewish]] [[Knanaya|Knanaya Christians]] in 345 A.D owing to the persecution of [[Syriac Christians (Arameans, Assyrians, Chaldeans)|Syrian Christians]] in the [[Persian Empire (dynasty)|Persian empire]]. According to the narration of a [[Byzantine Rite|Byzantine]] monk, [[Cosmas Indicopleustes|Cosmas]], Kerala had many churches as early as the sixth century. According to the inscription of the times of [[Sthanu Ravi Varma]] by ninth century, [[Saint Thomas Christians|Syrian Christian]] communities enjoyed many rights and privileges which were given as the [[Quilon Syrian copper plates|Quilon Copper Plates]], [[Viraraghava copper plates|Viraraghava Copper Plates]], [[Thomas of Cana copper plates|Knai Thoma Copper Plates]] and the [[Thazhekad, Thrissur|Thazhekkad Sasanam]]. They also played a vital role in trade and commerce. The domestic buildings of the Syrian Christians were akin to the native architecture.

[[File:Chengannur 2.JPG|thumb|right|Syrian Christians have most of their churches built in traditional Kerala style, resembling temples of Kerala. The Old Syrian church of Chengannur has been built in Kerala style with stone lamps, and is a testimony of assimilation of Kerala Christianity with native architecture.]]

However, the Syrians who had migrated to Kerala had brought with them some of the [[East Syriac Rite|East Syriac]] [[Chaldean Catholic Church|Chaldean]] conventions in church architecture. Consequently, churches with regular chancel and nave began to be built and there evolved a distinctive style of church architecture.The peculiar feature of this style was the ornamental gable facade at the nave end, surmounted by a cross. An entry porch (''Shala'') in front of the nave was another feature of these early shrines. The baptistry was a small chamber inside the nave near the entrance. Belfries were built on one side of the nave, but in smaller churches the bell was hung in an opening in the nave gable.

=== Elements of Kerala church architecture ===

[[File: Ramapuram Twin Churches.jpg|thumb|200px|right|St Augustine Syro Malabar Twin Churches, [[Ramapuram, Kottayam|Ramapuram]].]]

Unlike Keralite Temple Artitecture, there is no uniform or standard layout for all Churches of Kerala. Rather most of churches have different set to architecture according to various sects and their traditions apart from experimentation of new designs. Still most of churches, particularly [[Saint Thomas Christian]] churches of Kerala, do share several common features.

The church had a gable roof extending to the chancel, the most sacred part of the church and the sacristy by its side. The tower over the chancel soared higher than the roof of the nave similar to the "S''hikhara''" over the "G''arbhagriha''" in a Hindu temple. The residence of the priest and the parish hall were located on one side of the church and the cemetery was on the other side.

[[File:St Mary,'s Orthodox church , Kottayam (cheriya palli).jpg|thumb|[[St. Mary's Church, Kottayam|Kottayam Cheriyapally]] built in a fusion of Kerala and Syriac artitectural styles.]]

In their external feature Syrian churches retained most of the indigenous features of the Hindu style. The church and the ancillary buildings were enclosed in a massive laterite wall. Majority of the churches have the traditional Tile roofing seen in the Kerala Temple Artitecture and have retained the indigenous features of the Hindu style. The church and the ancillary buildings were enclosed in a massive laterite wall.

There would be an open cross in front of the main entrance on a granite basement in the model of "''Balikkal''", the altar stone. A church also has the "''[[Dhwaja Stambha|Dwajastambha]]''" in front. In the Orthodox Syrian church at Chengannur, Peter and Paul occupy the place of "''Dwarapalas''", the guarding deities of a Hindu shrine. Sometimes a gateway like the temple "''Gopuram''" with a "''Kottupura''" or music room on the upper storey was also provided. The [[Marth Mariam Syro-Malabar Major Archiepiscopal Church Kuravilangad|Marth Mariam church]] at [[Kuravilangad]], originally built in 345 A.D had undergone renovations several times. The church has a rich collection of old relics including a statue of Saint Mary and a cross carved in granite. The [[Kaduthuruthy Valiya Palli|Knanaya Valiapally]] of [[Kaduthuruthy]] is another old church with the biggest cross formed in a single granite piece. The [[St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Cathedral, Piravom|Valiapally]] of [[Piravom]] is also another old church with old Persian writings.

[[File:Kalkurish.1.jpg|thumb|Open Granite cross ("''Nasrani Sthambha''") seen infront of the [[Kaduthuruthy Valiya Palli|Kaduthuruthy Knanaya Valiyapally]]]]