Page | xviii

List of Plates:

Plate No. Title Page No. Plate 3.1: Panoramic view of Kerala temple complex 297

Plate 3.2: Circular katala rkvil 297 Plate 3.3: Square Dvitala rkvil with Mukha-mandapa 298 Plate 3.4: Apsidal katala rkvil 298 Plate 3.5: Namaskra-madapa 299 Plate 3.6: Interior of namaskra-madapa 299 Plate 3.7: Inner courtyard and currambalam 300 Plate 3.8: Base of viakkumam 300

Plate 3.9: Viakkumam with lamps 301 Plate 3.10: Projecting Agra -madapa 301 Plate 3.11: Principal balipha 302

Plate 3.12: Dhvajastambham with metal covering 302 Plate 3.13: Deepastambham 303

Plate 3.14: Naapantal with pillars 303 Plate 3.15: Pradakia patha on the bhya hra 304 Plate 3.16: Kraa style Gpuram 304 Plate 3.17: Adhihna 305 Plate 3.18: Hasti-hasta spna 305 Plate 3.19: Common Kraa type Praa 306 Plate 3.20: Wall without decoration and projections 306 Plate 3.21: Wall with pilasters and projections and recesses 307 Plate 3.22: Extending roof covering upper part of wall in

circular rkvil

307

Plate 3.23: Dvitala circular rkvil 308 Plate 3.24: Close view of Dvitiya tala

308

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Plate 3.25: Wooden planks and beams beneath the Terracotta tiled roof in conical roof

309

Plate 3.26: Square Dvitala rkvil 309 Plate 3.27: Joining of wooden rafters of roof 310

Plate 3.28: Crowning finial or Stupi 310 Plate 3.29: Ruined shrine at Tirunillai showing miniature

garbhagha and pillared pradakia patha covered by rkvil wall

311

Plate 3.30: Ruined shrine at Nirmankara showing base of garbhagha and rkvil wall

311

Plate 4.1: Kallil Bhagavati Cave Temple - Front wall, roofing

natural rock and attached Madapa 312

Plate 4.2: Kallil Bhagavati Cave Temple - Straight view from

front

312

Plate 4.3: Kallil Bhagavati Cave Temple capping stone and stairways, view from behind

313

Plate 4.4: Vmanamrti Temple, Trikkakkara - General view from Bhya Hra

313

Plate 4.5: Vmanamrti Ttemple, Trikkakkara - the Agra-Madapa with Principal Balipha

314

Plate 4.6: Lakmaa Temple, Tirumuzhikkulam - Circular Dwitala rkvil

314

Plate 4.7: Lakmaa Temple, Tirumuzhikkulam - Principal

Balipha

315

Plate 4.8: Lakmaa Temple, Tirumuzhikkulam - Wooden bracket figures on the Viakkumam

315

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Plate 4.9: Mah Viu Temple, Thrippunitura - Images on the metal Dhvajastambham

316

Plate 4.10: Mah Viu Temple, Thrippunitura - Principal

Balipha

316

Plate 4.11: Mah Viu Temple, Thrippunitura - Side view

from Bhya Hra

317

Plate 4.12: Mah Viu Temple, Thrippunitura - Gpuram on

east

317

Plate 4.13: Mah Viu Temple, Thrippunitura - Southern

compound wall with chambers and Gpuram 318

Plate 4.14: Mah Viu Temple, Thippunitura - Western

Gpuram

318

Plate 4.15: Mah Viu Temple, Thippunitura - Wooden carvings on the western Gpuram

319

Plate 4.16: Mahdva Temple, Uliyannur circular rkvil 319

Plate 4.17: Mahdva Temple, Uliyannur - Praam supported by seated female Bhtagaa

320

Plate 4.18: Mahdva Temple, Uliyannur Motif on Adhihna

320

Plate 4.19: Mahdva Temple, Uliyannur - rkvil wall and eaves

321

Plate 4.20: Ekadasi Perumtrikkovil, Udayamperur - view from Bhya Hra

321

Plate 4.21: Ekadasi Perumtrikkovil, Udayamperur front view of Agra mandapa

322

Plate 4.22: Ekadasi Perumtrikkovil, Udayamperur sub-shrine of Krishna

322

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Plate 4.23: Ekadasi Perumtrikkovil, Udayamperur Goddess figures on Dhvajastambha

323

Plate 4.24: Perumtrikkovil, Pazhur - Circular katala rkvil 323 Plate 4.25: Perumtrikkovil, Pazhur - Wooden carving of

Goddess on the ceiling of Agra Madapa

324

Plate 4.26: Perumtrikkovil, Pazhur - Front view from Bhya

Hra

324

Plate 4.27: Krishna temple, Okkal - Circular katala rkvil 325 Plate 4.28: Krishna temple, Okkal Recessed Mukha mandapa

and granite sopana 325

Plate 4.29: Mahdva Temple, Keezhillam - Circular katala rkvil

326

Plate 4.30: Mahdva Temple, Keezhillam - View from Bhya Hra

326

Plate 4.31: Bhagavati Temple, Iringol - Front view from Bhya Hra

327

Plate 4.32: Rmaswmy Temple, Trikkalathur- Drvida style rkvil

327

Plate 4.33: Rmaswmy Temple, Trikkalathur- rkvil and Namaskra-Maapam

328

Plate 4.34: Mahdva Temple,Trikkariyur view from Bhya Hra

328

Plate 4.35: Mahdva Temple,Trikkariyur gopura on East 329 Plate 4.36: Mahdva Temple, Uliyannur ruined shrine of

Madathilappan 329

Plate 4.37: Rrjwari Temple, Chottanikkara the sacred peepul tree in Bhya Hra

330

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Plate 4.38: Rrjwari Temple, Chottanikkara - General view from Bhya Hra

330

Plate 5.1: Mahdva Cave Temple, Trikkur- View entrance 331 Plate 5.2: Mahdva Cave Temple, Trikkur- View from top 331 Plate 5.3 Irunilamkod Dakimrti Cave Temple carving

inside the sanctum 332

Plate 5.4: Irunilamkod Dakimrti Cave Temple view from outside

332

Plate 5.5: Mahdva temple, Airanikkulam - View from outside, circular dwitala shrine on left and square dwitala shrine on right

333

Plate 5.6: Mahdva temple, Airanikkulam - Circular Dwitala rkvil

333

Plate 5.7: Mahdva Temple, Airanikkulam - Embellished Adhihna of the Circular rkvil

334

Plate 5.8: Bharata Temple, Irinjalakkuda - Circular Dwitala rkvil

334

Plate 5.9: Bharata Temple, Irinjalakkuda - Carved wooden pillar in the Namaskra-Maapam

335

Plate 5.10: Bharata Temple, Irinjalakkuda - Carved wooden rafters

335

Plate 5.11: Bharata Temple, Irinjalakkuda - Principal Balipha on the Bhya Hra

336

Plate 5.12: Bharata Temple, Irinjalakkuda Kttambalam 336 Plate 5.13: Bharata temple, Irinjalakkuda - Gajalakshmi

Carvings on Banister of the kttambalam 337

Plate5.14: Bharata Temple, Irinjalakkuda - Gpuram built in Kraa style

337

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Plate 5.15: iva Temple, Avittathur - Circular Dwitala rkvil 338 Plate 5.16: iva Temple, Avittathur Granite Adhihna of

rkvil

338

Plate 5.17: iva Temple, Avittathur carved wooden rafters and prastara

339

Plate 5.18: iva Temple, Avittathur carved pillar in Namaskra-Madapa

339

Plate 5.19: Mahdva Temple, Peruvanam - Circular katala rkvil of Irattayappan

340

Plate 5.20: Mahdva Temple, Peruvanam Details of Adhihna and wall of Irattayappan rkvil

340

Plate 5.21: Mahdva Temple, Peruvanam - Sculpture on the rkvil wall

341

Plate 5.22: Rma temple, Triprayar Granite Adhina and Praam

341

Plate 5.23: Rma Temple, Triprayar - Metal covered Spnam 342 Plate 5.24: Rma Temple, Triprayar - Mural covered wall of

rkvil above the high Adhihna

342

Plate 5.25: Rma Temple, Triprayar - Mural Painting on rkvil wall

343

Plate 5.26: Rma Temple, Triprayar - wooden bracket figures on elephant pedestals

343

Plate 5.27: Rma Temple, Triprayar - Wooden bracket figure 344 Plate 5.28: Rma temple, Triprayar - View into the inner

Pradakia-Patha and inner wall through southern dvra

344

Plate 5.29: Rma Temple, Triprayar view from Bhya Hra

345

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Plate 5.30: Rma Temple, Triprayar View from river side 345 Plate 5.31: Vatakkunnthan iva Temple, Tr - Circular

katala rkvil I of Vatakkunnthan (rkvil I) 346

Plate 5.32: Vatakkunnthan iva temple, Tr-Pranala of rkvil I

346

Plate 5.33: Vatakkunnthan iva temple, Tr- wall details of rkvil I

347

Plate 5.34: Vatakkunnthan iva Temple, Tr - Circular Dwitala rkvil of lord ankaranryana (rkvil II)with Namaskra-Madapa

347

Plate 5.35: Vatakkunnthan iva Temple, Tr - Adhihna and Pranala of rkvil II

348

Plate 5.36: Vatakkunnthan iva Temple, Tr - Close view of the rkvil II

348

Plate 5.37: Tiruvimbilappan iva Temple, Tr - Circular katala rkvil

349

Plate 5.38: Tiruvimbilappan iva Temple, Tr carvings on wooden architrave

349

Plate 5.39: Tiruvimbilappan iva Temple, Tr Carved pillars on Namaskra-Madapa

350

Plate 5.40: Tiruvimbilappan iva Temple, Tr carvings on wooden ceiling of entrance

350

Plate5.41: Tiruvimbilappan iva Temple, Tr carvings on ceiling of Agra Madapa

351

Plate 5.42: Tiruvimbilappan iva Temple, Tr general view from outside

351

Plate 5.43: iva Temple, Velappaya - Circular katala rkvil

352

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Plate 5.44: iva Temple, Velappaya-granite Adhihna of rkvil

352

Plate 5.45: iva Temple, Velappaya-Sopana with anthropomorphic figure

353

Plate 5.46: Mahdva Temple, Tiruvancikkulam - Square Dwitala rkvil, view from behind

353

Plate 5.47: Mahdva Temple, Tiruvancikkulam - Adhihna 354 Plate 5.48: Mahdva Temple, Tiruvancikkulam - Dwitala

Namaskra-Madapa 354

Plate 5.49: Mahdva Temple, Tiruvancikkulam - Mural painting on wall of sub shrine

355

Plate 5.50: Mahdva temple, Tiruvancikkulam- rkvils of subshrines

355

Plate 5.51: Ka Temple, Trikkulasekhapuram Square dvitala rkvil with Mukha-Madapa and Garuda Madapa

356

Plate 5.52: Ka Temple, Trikkulasekhapuram - Adhihna and Praa

356

Plate 5.53: Ka Temple, Trikkulasekhapuram - Wall details, the Dvaka with images and other carvings

357

Plate 5.54: Ka Temple, Trikkulasekhapuram - principal Balipha

357

Plate 5.55: Ka Temple, Trikkulasekhapuram - General view from outside the compound wall

358

Plate 5.56: Klttai iva Temple,Methala - the Garbhagha and remains of the rkvil

358

Plate 5.57: Tirumattaiyappan (Nityavicrwaram) iva Temple - Square Dvitala rkvil

359

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Plate 5.58: Tirumattaiyappan (Nityavicrwaram) iva temple - Granite Banister with carvings

359

Plate 5.59: Tirumattaiyappan (Nityavicrwaram) iva Temple Praa

360

Plate 5.60: Tirumattaiyappan (Nityavicrwaram) iva Temple - Details of carvings on rkvil wall

360

Plate 5.61: Tirumattaiyappan (Nityavicrwaram) iva Temple - Projected Mukha-Madapa

361

Plate 5.62: Tirumattaiyappan (Nityavicrwaram) iva Temple Granite Principal Balipha in the Bhya

Hra

361

Plate 5.63: Mahdva Temple, Airanikkulam - Square Dvitala rkvil with Mukha-Madapa

362

Plate 5.64: Mahdva Temple, Airanikkulam details of Adhina with Mgamla and wall

362

Plate 5.65: Mahdva Temple, Peruvanam Granite Adhina 363 Plate 5.66: Mahdva Temple, Peruvanam - wall Details of

Mattilappan rkvil

363

Plate 5.67: Mahdva Temple, Peruvanam - Tritala rkvil of Mattilappan

364

Plate 5.68: Mahdva Temple, Peruvanam - Carvings and wooden bracket figures on Mattilappan rkvil

365

Plate 5.69: Mahdva Temple, Peruvanam - principal Balipha 365 Plate 5.70: Mahdva Temple, Peruvanam -view of

Mattilappan rkvil from Bhya Hra

366

Plate 5.71: Vatakkunnthan iva Temple, Tr - Square Dwitala rkvil of Lord Rma

366

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Plate 5.72: Vatakkunnthan iva Temple, Tr - Granite Adhina and Praam of Rma shrine

367

Plate 5.73: Vatakkunnthan iva Temple, Tr - Close view of the rkvil wall

367

Plate 5.74: Vatakkunnthan iva Temple, Tr - Principal Balipha

368

Plate 5.75: Vatakkunnthan iva Temple, Tr - Three principal Baliphas aligned in front of the Currambalam facing respective deities

368

Plate 5.76: Vatakkunnthan iva Temple, Tr - Interior of Kttambalam

369

Plate 5.77: Vatakkunnthan iva Temple, Tr - Tritala Gpuram on west

369

Plate 5.78: Vatakkunnthan iva Temple, Tr - Tritala Gpuram on south

370

Plate 5.79: Vatakkunnthan iva Temple, Tr - Wooden Carvings on the southern Gpuram

370

Plate 5.80: Rma Temple, Katavallur - Square Dvitala rkvil with Mukha-Madapa

371

Plate 5.81: Rma Temple, Katavallur - Granite Adhihna and Spna

371

Plate 5.82: Rma Temple, Katavallur - Praam with supporting Bhtagaa

372

Plate 5.83: Rma Temple, Katavallur - details of rkvil wall 372 Plate 5.84: Rma temple, Katavallur - Carved wooden Vya

bracket figure on corner 373

Plate 5.85: Rma temple, Katavallur- carved wooden bracket figure fixed on the rkvil wall

373

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Plate 5.86: Rma Temple, Katavallur - The row of wooden bracket figures on rkvil wall

374

Plate 5.87: Rma Temple, Katavallur - Principal Balipha 374 Plate 5.88: Rma Temple, Katavallur - General view 375 Plate 5.89: Vilwdrinthan Temple, Tiruvilwamala - The twin

rkvils

375

Plate 5.90: Vilwdrinthan Temple, Tiruvilwamala - Wooden sculptures on the Grva

376

Plate 5.91: Vilwdrinthan Temple, Tiruvilwamala - Wooden Vya figure on the corner of Namaskra-Madapa

376

Plate 5.92: Vilwdrinthan Temple, Tiruvilwamala - Remains of Adhina of compound wall

377

Plate 5.93: Durga Bhagavati Temple, Oorakam - Square Dwitala rkvil

377

Plate 5.94: Durga Bhagavati Temple, Oorakam- principal balipha

378

Plate 5.95: Durga Bhagavati Temple, Oorakam - Metal images of goddess fixed on the bottom level of

Dhwajastambham

378

Plate 5.96: Durga Bhagavati Temple, Oorakam - Dwitala Gpuram with carvings

379

Plate 5.97: Durga Bhagavati Temple, Oorakam - Wooden carved panel with Gajalakmi image in the centre, the royal insignia of Cochin rulers

379

Plate 5.98: Kurumba Bhagavati Temple, Kodungallur- rmlastnam, view through the open Namaskra-

Maapam

380

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Plate 5.99: Kurumba Bhagavati Temple, Kodungallur - General view from the Bhya Hra

380

Plate 5.100: Kurumba Bhagavati Temple, Kodungallur - A scene of Oracles during Bharani festival

381

Plate 5.101: iva Temple, Velappaya - Square Dwitala rkvil with Mukha-Maapam

381

Plate 5.102: iva Temple, Velappaya - Motifs on the granite Adhina

382

Plate 5.103: iva Temple, Velappaya - Granite banister with Ghanadwra motif carvings

382

Plate 5.104: iva Temple, Velappaya - Details of rkvil wall 383 Plate 5.105: iva Temple, Velappaya - Laterite Principal

Balipha

383

Plate 5.106: iva Temple, Velappaya- Currambalam and ikharas of rkvils, view from Bhya Hra

384

Plate 5.107: Nedumpura Tai temple, Kulasekharanellur - Apsidal Dwitala rkvil with copper covered roof

384

Plate 5.108: Nedumpura Tai temple, Kulasekharanellur - Details of Adhina and rkvil wall

385

Plate 5.109: Nedumpura Tai temple, Kulasekharanellur - rkvil, rear view

385

Plate 5.110: Nedumpura Tai Temple, Kulasekharanellur - Lateral Spnam with Ghanadwra motif carving on banister

386

Plate 5.111: Nedumpura Tai Temple, Kulasekharanellur - Wooden sculpture on the Grva

386

Plate 5.112: Nedumpura Tai Temple, Kulasekharanellur - Namaskra-Maapam

387

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Plate 5.113: Nedumpura Tai Temple, Kulasekharanellur - View of Currambalam and superstructure of rkvil

from Bhya Hra

387

Plate 5.114: Nedumpura Tai Temple, Kulasekharanellur - Principal Balipha

388

Plate 5.115: Nedumpura Tai Temple, Kulasekharanellur - Front gable of rkvil and Currambalam - View from Bhya Hra

388

Plate 5.116: Ayyappa Temple, Panjal Apsidal Ekatala rkvil 389 Plate 5.117: Ayyappa Temple, Panjal View from outside 389