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The
Architecture of Kerala Temples and a comparison with
Yagasala
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A
diagram of a Kerala Temple
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A
diagram of the Yagasala
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The
temple also resembles the human body.(in the vertical
plane) The human body contains invisible parts comprising
energy centres called Chakras and a Kundalini which
is supposed to have the shape of a snake.Shadadhara
prathishta which resembles the shape of these Chakras
is done in Kerala.
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- 1.Adharasila
-------(Muladharam)
- 2.Nidhikumbham
-(Swadhishtanam)
- 3.
Padmam ---------(Manipurakam)
- 4.
Kurmam ----------(Anahatham)
- 5.
Yoganalam-------(Vishudhi)
- 6.
Napumsakasila (Aajna)
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All
the above representing these chakras are below the Deity
and cannot be seen after the deity is installed.. In
the horizontal plane it is like the body prostrating
with feet at Gopura and head touching the Deity.. In
Kerala while doing Pradakshina we do not cross the liquid
outlet( outlet for the liquids to come out after abhisheka)
of Siva.This system is not practiced any where else
outside Kerala, except at the Somanath temple in Gujarath.
......
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| Note:-
Top is the sketch of a temple and next below is the outline
of a Yagasala.Below is given comparison of the parts of
both. |
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Yagasala
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Temple
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Yupa
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Flag mast
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Utharavedi
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Balikalpura
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Dasapadam
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.Valia Balikal
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Havirdhanam
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Valiambalam
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Sadass
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Mandapam
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Pragwamsa sala
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Sree koil(Sanctum sanctorum)
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Agnikundam
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Sivalingam
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Pathnisala
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Durga
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| Other
resemblances : |
- One
who does Yaga is called Yajamana and one who builds
temple is also called Yajamana.
- The
helpers in Yaga are called Ritwiks.The parikarmis
in temples are also called Ritwiks.
- The
three kriyas in Yagasala are called Prathasavanam,
Madhyahnikam,and Thrithiyasavanam. The same names
are given for poojas in temples.
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A
sketch of temples outside Kerala.
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