Kerala Religious Architecture

The architecture of Kerala tells many stories. The way its architecture has been designed not only speaks about the artistic and technical capabilities of the craftsmen, but also about the progression and evolution of its society. Kerala has an abundance of architectural styles. Places of worship have been reworked over centuries, the styles differing according to the period of renovation, resulting in a vivid representation of an eventful political and cultural life. But it is the philosophy of adopting indigenous raw material for architectural expression that has been dominant features of Kerala architecture.

Traditionally, the architecture of Kerala has been of a humble scale. An ensemble of simplicity and elegance, it is tailored to suit Kerala’s climate and culture. The low walls, slopping roofs and projecting eaves of ancient houses were built for protection against heavy rains and intense heat. The setting of the building in an open garden was also done so that the house would receive plenty of winds. But because of the limitations of building materials, architecture mixed mode of construction evolved in Kerala architecture.

Kerala Temple architecture

Kerala has more than 20,000 temples dotting its landscape. Unique in their design and construction, they stand out when compared to other Indian temples. Here the temple structure stresses on horizontal movement rather than tall towers and pillars. Temples buildings are rarely taller than the coconut trees that surround them. The reason for this was since Kerala has heavy monsoon with thunder and lightening, so the tree nearby taller tan the temples, played the lightening conductor. One of the characteristics aspects of Kerala temple architecture is that they primarily wooden structures. Another distinctive feature of Kerala temple architecture is the use of multi-tired brass lamps or the stambha vilakku.

The temple architecture, Kerala is an amalgam of stonework, woodwork, stuccowork and paintings harmoniously blended into a structure vibrant with the traditions of the region. The best examples of the typical Kerala temple are the Peruvanam temple in Thrissur, Vadakkumnathan temple in Thrissur, Sree Mahadeva Temple at Ettumanoor, Koodalmanikyam temple at Irinjalakuda and the Sree Subrahmania temple at Haipad.

Domestic architecture

There are two main features of Kerala houses that make them unique. The first is that domestic architecture, Kerala follows the style of detached sections. There is no concept of row houses. Secondly, the evolution of domestic architecture, Kerala closely follows the trends in temple architecture, Kerala. In its most developed form, architecture typical house in Kerala is the courtyard type or the naalukettu. These houses are built strictly on the principle of Thachu Shastra, which is the ancient science of construction. Many of the old palaces of Kerala are built in the style of traditional domestic architecture of Kerala. The most important ones are Padmanabhapuram Palace in Kanyakumari, the Dutch Palace at Mattancherry, the Krishnapuram Palace near Kayamkulam and the Kuthira Malika Palace in Thiruvananthapuram.

Islamic Architecture

By the 15th century, Islam was wide spread in Kerala and there were architecture considerable number of Islamic buildings. However, the mosques that were built exhibited none of the features of the Arabic style of Islamic architecture Kerala that is famous in other parts of India. The reason for such a sharp differences in Kerala was because the local craftsmen and artisans trained in the guild of temple construction had only temples as their models. So mosques were built within the same framework. The Juma Masjid at Kannur has a gate built in manner of a temple gopuram. In more recent times Islamic architecture Kerala symbols like minarets and domes are increasingly coming into play.

Kerala Church Architecture

Historical evidence suggests that by the 6th century, there were many Churches in Kerala. The oldest Syrian Church of Kerala is believed to be the St. Thomas Church at Palayur. In their external features, these Syrian Churches did retain some of the indigenous features of the Hindu style of temples, but the original Syrians also brought with them some West Asian characteristics in the Church architecture of Kerala. Prominent among these is the ornamental gable façade at the nave end surmounted by architecture cross.

The Portuguese followed by the Dutch and British then introduced European elements into the Churches of Kerala. In 1510, Franciscan missionaries built the first Church of this type at Fort Kochi. It was the Portuguese who for the first time did away with the dominating tower above the altar, which was actually an adaptation of temple architecture, Kerala. Ceilings and walls were painted with religious themes in the style of European masters. Sharp and rounded arches were set up and colored glass windows were installed. Later the British too brought in traditional Western buildings elements into Churches of Kerala, which began resembling their European counterparts. Gothic arches, pilasters and buttresses rounded openings, classical moldings and stained glass windows made the entire structure totally unlike the native style being followed.

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