Temples are the traditional centres of worship of people belonging to the Hindu religion in India and elsewhere. In Malayalam language they are commonly called Ambalams. Other common names are Kshetram, Kavu, Kovil etc.
The management of a temple is usually done by a trust/board. There may be a group of temples managed by the same board (for example the Tranvancore Devaswam Board under the Government of Kerala). Many temples are managed by a single person or a family. Many of the old Kings used to have their own big temples like the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram (Travancore Maharaja), Tali temple in Kozhikode (Zamoothiri Raja) and so on.
The origin of temples can be linked to the age old concept of idol worship (VIGRAHARADHANA). It is generally believed that common man is not able to understand the ultimate reality easily. Idol worship is considered to be the first step to such an understanding. It is not known how the word Ambalam came to be used to refer to the centres of worship in Kerala. Probably it came from the word Ambaram, meaning sky.
There is no written record as to when the practice of building of temples was first started. The history of ancient Kerala temples is closely related to that of the neighboring state of Tamilnadu.In South India it seems it was during the period of the Pllava Kings that the practice of constructing temples either in natural cave like openings (cave temples - Such places can be seen even today in some places) or by properly shaping the rocks (Rock cut temples). The reign of the Chola Kings was the golden period of temples.
Temples have not only been mere centres of worship, but also centres of architecture, painting and other art forms. many temples are monumental evidences for the architectural capabilities of the artisans of the period. also one can find rare pieces of paintings on the walls of many temples. Many art and dance forms originated, grew and flourished in and around the temples of yester years. In Kerala, the origin of Kathakali, Koodiyattom, Koothu, Ottam thullal etc. can be directly linked to the temples.
Normally in Ambalams, there will be a main deity who will be either Lord Maha Vishnu, Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, Lord Subramanya, Lord Ganapathi etc. and there will be one or more sub deities. In a Kavu, the deity is usually a Goddess like Parvathi, Saraswathy, Kali or Lord Ayyappa.
Temple
architecture in Kerala is different from that of other regions in India.The
roofs are steep and pointed, and covered with copper sheets.With a circular
plan, one sees a conical roof, while with a square plan the roof is pyramidal.
The roof is constructed with wood and is covered with copper plates.
The entire Ambalam complex
will be fortified with a strongly built, tall compound wall. There will
be four gates in the form of Gopurams at the centre on the four sides.
Inside, as one enters through the main Gopuram, one finds the Kodimaram
or Dhwaja Stambha(Flag Staff ). It is on top of the Kodimaram that
the flag of the main deity will be hoisted on the first day of the Temple
Festival (Ulsavam). This is called
Kodiyettam. It is commonly made of
Copper and gold coated on the outside. Then one sees the Chuttambalam.
This consists of rigid interim pillars on to which wooden or metal sheets
are fastened from the inside. The Chuttambalam protects the heart of the
temple, the Sree Kovil, the Sanctum
Santorum, which is the most important part of the temple. There will be
usually hundred of lamps on the outside of the Chuttambalam, which are
lit on special occasions and also as an offering by the devotees.
Inside of the Chuttambalam is the Sree Kovil (Sanctum Sanctorum). It is here that the main deity will be installed. The idol of the main deity is fixed at the centre of the Sree Kovil on a raised Peedham. This is called the Pratishta. The Prathishta Karmam is carried out by the Thanthri of the temple or by an eminent religious leader on Saint. The idol itself will be usually carved out of selected good quality rare stones. There will be a namaskara mandapam located directly in front of the sanctum.
In the temples of Kerala, entry into temples is restricted to those who belive in the Hindu religion only. One should enter the temple, clean in the body (after a bath) and in the mind. One is not allowed to enter the temple wearing a shirt.
Poojas and other offerings are carried out by the Main Poojari (Mel Shanthi). He belongs to the Brahmin community (Nampoothiri). In fact no body else is allowed to enter the Sree Kovil. He will bathe the idol, dress Him in a suitable attire, light the lamps, do the poojas and offerings to the accompaniment of mathrams, and distribute Prasada.
The common offerings (VAZHIPADU) in temples are : i) Offerings of flowers (Archana or Pushpabhishekam or Pushpanjali) ii) Abhishekam (bathing the idol with water, milk, ghee, oil, tender coconut water etc.) The fluids after the Abhishekam are consumed by devotees as Theertham. These offerings are followed by Aarathi and Karpooram Uzhiyal. There will be several lamps lit on either side of the idol and on the front.
Other Vazhipadus are :
i) Thrimadhura
ii) Payasam
iii) Nivedyam
iv) Ganapathi
Homam , specific to Lord Ganapathi.
This is meant to entreat Him, who is considered as VIGNESWARA,
the one who removes obsatcles, to help us to proceed smoothly in whatever
venture we are setting our feet on.
Another important offering in many temples is the THULABHARAM (weighing using a common balance). In this offering, there will be a large common balance. The devotee sits on one pan while his weight is balanced in the other pan with any item of his choice, like plantain, Sarkara (molasses), sugar etc. The weighed item is then offered to the deity.
The poojas and other offerings are carried out to the accompaniment of Vadyas and devotional songs. These are usually done by the Marars, who belong to the Ambalavasis. The Warriers, another group of the Ambalavasis, have the task of arranging flowers for the poojas, preparing garlands for the deities, cleaning the lamps and vessels, keeping the temple premises neat and tidy etc.
The temples provide facilities to hold marriages, Choroonu (the first rice feeding of a child).
Every year there will be at least one Ulsava, the temple festival. The Ulsavam lasts for six to ten days. It starts with Kodiyettam on the first day and ends with Aarattu (the Royal Bath) and Kodiyirakkam on the last day. There will be special poojas during the festival. The Main deity will be taken in a procession atop an elephant, to the accopaniment of Vadyas like Chenda, Edakka, Thakil, Nadaswaram etc. In the evenings there will be lectures on religious matters by eminent personalities and Scholars (Mathaprasangam), Bhajans, classical music concerts, as well as staging of various forms of temple arts like Kathakali, Koothu, Thullal, Bharatha Natyam etc. There will be a display of fireworks also.
There is usually a Kuttambalam or the theater hall, which is the site of the performance of Kathakali or Chakkiyar koothu recitals.