Context: The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has urged the government to protect historically significant structures such as the 600-year-old 'Vilakkumadom,' a magnificent granite edifice, at the Sree Mahavishnu Temple at Thirunelly in Kerala's Wayanad district.
Thirunelli Temple
History
- There is documentary evidence that Thirunelly was an important town and pilgrim centre in South India during the reign of Chera monarch Bhaskara Ravi Varma I (962-1019 CE).
- Historian V. R. Parameswaran Pillai states in his book 'Thirunelli Documents' that this temple was formerly an important component of Kerala's early recorded history.
- Architecture
- This 3000-year-old temple is a fine example of Kerala temple architecture. The temple is an architectural marvel with around 30 granite columns and a granite paved floor. A cloister of cubical granite pillars runs along the temple's outer wall.
- An open courtyard surrounds the Sanctorum, which is encircled by a tile-roofed building.
- The holy temple pond is called Panchatheertham. The temple lacks a temple well, which is a notable characteristic.
- The main deity idol of the temple is in the form of Chathurbhuja.
- Religious Significance
- Temple is the only temple in the world where worshippers can complete all of life's rituals, from birth to death and life after death.
- The ceremonies are carried out on the banks of the Papanasini stream, which flows down from Mount Brahmagiri.
- Lord Brahma is said to have performed Lord Vishnu's prathishta here. The cave temple Gunnika, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located on the temple's western side. As a result, Thirunelli is blessed by the presence of all three parts of the trinity.
- It is also known as ''Sahyamala Kshetram'' and ''Southern Kashi''.
Distinctive Kerala style of temple architecture
Provincial variety of Dravidian style
- The Dravidian style took a positive shape and became strengthened during the Pallavas of Kanchipuram. This style underwent gradual changes without losing its individuality.
- Kerala, on the west coast of South India, has a provincial variation of this style. Basic temple construction and Brahmanical religion developed in Kerala in tandem and steadily under the Kulasekharas of Mahodayapuram.
Local features in the Kerala temple architecture
Largely dictated by the geography of the region that abounds in forests blessed with the bounties of the monsoons, the structure of the temples in Kerala is distinctive.
Roof
- Temple roof resembles those found in the Himalayan regions and those in East Asia.
- Steep and pointed roofs constructed with wood are covered with copper sheets.
- The shape of the roof is in accordance with the plan of the sanctum below. With a circular plan, one sees a conical roof, while with a square plan the roof is pyramidal.
- The roof protrudes at numerous levels to shelter the interior skeletal framework from the region's violent monsoons.
Sanctum
- 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.
Mandapam
- The Mukha Mandapam is integrated with the Gopura entrance.
- The flagstaff or Dwaja Stambham is located outside of the Dwajastambham.
- 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.
Hall
- The Kuttambalam or the theater hall of the Keralite temple is located either as a part of the inner prakara or as a separate hall outside the innermost prakaram.
- The Kuttambalam 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.
- Materials Used and Decorative elements
- A harmonic blend of stones, woodwork, stucco work, and painting create a structure rich in regional traditions.
- The woodwork is quite important here, as it gives the Kerala temple silhouette its vitality and character. The temple's inner skeletal framework is made of wood, but the foundation and upper construction are made of granite and laterite, respectively.
- Kerala temple walls are made of coursed laterite stone masonry that has been plastered with mud and lime.
- Murals can be found on some of these temple walls. Another distinguishing feature of Keralite temples is the use of Vilakku Maadam (multi-tiered brass lamps) in front of temples.
About INTACH
- The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is a non-profit charitable organisation registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
- It achieved Special Consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council was awarded in 2007.
History
- INTACH was established in 1984 in New Delhi with the goal of establishing a membership organisation to promote and lead heritage awareness and conservation in India.
- INTACH has been a leader in the conservation and safeguarding of India's natural and cultural heritage since 1984.
- In 2007, INTACH signed a memorandum of understanding with AusHeritage, Australia's well-known heritage network, to engage on regional initiatives in South Asia and South East Asia.
Restoration
- Over the years, INTACH has taken up the restoration and conservation of hundreds of monuments that fall outside the purview of the Archaeological Survey of India and other government organisations.
- After developing Raghurajpur, Odisha, India, as a heritage village known for its master 'Pattachitra' artists and 'Gotipua' dance troupes, it later used the same pattern to develop Padmanabhpur village, Ganjam district, Odisha, India, known for its weavers and folk dancers, into another heritage destination.
Mission
- INTACH's mission to conserve heritage, is based on the belief that living in harmony with heritage enhances the quality of life, and it is the duty of every citizen of India as laid down in the Constitution of India.
- The objectives spelt out in the Memorandum of Association constitute INTACH's Mandate and Vision
- Sensitise the public about the pluralistic cultural legacy of India and instill a sense of social responsibility towards preserving India's common heritage.
- Document unprotected buildings of archaeological, architectural, historic and aesthetic significance, as well as the cultural resources, as this is the first step towards formulating conservation plans.
- Develop heritage policies and regulations, and make legal interventions to protect India's heritage when necessary.
- Provide expertise in the field of conservation, restoration and preservation of specific works of art and encourage capacity-building by developing skills through training programmes.
- Undertake emergency response measures during natural or man-made disasters and support the local administration whenever heritage is threatened.