THE IDOLS IN KERALA TEMPLES

The idol is a very important aspect of the Temple. This icon embodies
the presence and profile of the residing Deity.  The materials used vary
from stone, metal, wood and mud etc.

Indian Shilpa Shastras have three main styles, and are the Naagara,
Draavida and Vesara. The Naagara is prevalent in the regions between
Himalayas and the Vindhyas, the Draavida between the Krishna River and
Kanyakumari and the Vesara is ubiquitous in the areas amid Vindhyas and
Krishna.

Stone metaphors in Kerala are usually granite or laterite. Granite with
hard texture was generally used. The granite chosen for the idol is
termed as the Sila. They are classified as Purusha (Male), Sthree (Female)
and Napumsaka (Neutral). The Purusha Sila should resemble the shape of
the Arayaal (Fig Leaf) or Banyan leaf, with larger length and less
width. The Sthree Sila usually make a low resonance when hit and are cool
to touch and have a lesser content of ferrous ingredients. 

The Napumsaka
has the distinctiveness of both Male and Female. The Purusha Sila are
for the Male Deities and the Sthree for the Female Divinities. The
Nampusaka Silas are used to sculpt the Peetham or the base of the idol. When
this type of stone is not available the Purusha Sila is used.

They are again categorized into Brahmana Sila. And is based on the
Chaathur Varnya, and is the granite having the colour of a white lotus.

The red or horse gram coloured granite is the Kshtathriya Sila.

Vaisya Sila is the green and yellow coloured granite

Black or having the colour of green gram, the Sudra Sila.

The dark black granite having more iron content is known as the Krishna
Sila, which is generally used for carving the idols and the Bali
Peetham.

The sound or tone of the stone when rapped is an imperative facet.

The Sila should also have a greater spark when chiseled, and one stone
should not be used for more than one Devatha or Bali Peetham.

The Shilipis or the sculptors believe that the chosen stone generally
have the power of the Devatha absorbed in them.

The sites where the granites are chosen are subjected to purifications
and the area is known as Sila Parigraha. Apparently there are three
places in Kerala purified by Parasurama, and is at Thrithala (Ottappalam),
Thiruvanchiyoor near Ettumanoor and Paandavanpaara (Chengannur).

The Granite from Omallur (Pathanamthita) predominantly has the Krishna
Sila

Most of the Vigraahams are made in Kunnamkulam, Brahmamangalam, and
Chengannur. Mylaati (near Nagercoil) and Kanya Kumari district of Tamil
Nadu are also centers for carved images.

A few important stone idols are seen at the Anantheswara Vinayaka
Temple in Madhur (Kasaragod), Krishna Temple at Thricchambalam, Subramanaya
Temple at Payyanur, Maha Vishnu Temple at Thirunelli, Rama Temple at
Thiruvilwamala, Guruvayur Temple, Bharathan Temple at Irinjalakuda,
Lakshmanan Temple at Mulakkulam, Krishna Temple at Ernakulam, Dhanwanthari
Temple at Cherathala, Aruvikkara Temple at Neyyattinkara etc

Stone Sculptures can be seen on the Aadhisthana, motifs, pillars,
balustrades, Koothambalam, and Dwaara Paalakas etc.

Stone idols are relatively less in Kerala. This may well be since
copious wood is available and the problem of transportation of the granite
stones, considering the large numbers of rivers intersecting in Kerala.

Metal icons dates back to the 5th century AD. The Matsya Purana (450
AD) has descriptions on the technique of casting bronze idols. The images
at the Thiruvanthapuram Museum in particular of Maha Vishnu belong to
the Pallava period (4th–5th    century AD).

Pancha Loha (Alloy of 5 Metals and are copper, tin, silver, gold and
iron) idols are very common, and include the main idol, Archana Vigraham
and the Sree Bali Vigraham. The largest Pancha Loha idol probably is at
Airaanikkulam (Trichur District), this icon of Lord Shiva weighs
1000kg.The smallest is the idol of Ganesha at the Vinayaka Temple at
Pattathumogaru in Kasargode District. Another special feature is this idol is
not fixed on the Peetham (Base) in the Sanctum Sanctorum.

The opening of the idols eyes (Nethra Unmeelana) is done only during
the consecration ceremony.

Other principal Pancha Loha idols are Subramanaya (Maniyoor),
Annapoorneswari (Cherukunnu), Lokanaar Kavu (Vadakara), Ayyappan Swamy
(Sabarimala) etc.

A recent evolution in style is the golden hue on the idol. These idols
resplendent with mystical aura when lamps are lit in front of them.

The Temples of Kerala have exquisite wooden carvings in most of the
Temple Prakaara (Enclosures). The idols made in wood are very rare. Five
types of wood are generally used, and are Charalam, Thinduka or Panachi,
Teak, Varikkaplavu (Jack Wood) and Devathaaram.

The idols are usually preserved by anointing them with a liquid
obtained by distilling the bark and roots of Teak. This distilled liquid is
called Chaanth, and the ceremony of smearing the idol is known as
Chaanthaattam. The Chaanthaattam is an important offering Vazhipad (Offering).

Some of the Temples having wooden idols are the Thirumandhamkunnu Sree
Bhagavati Temple (Ernad), Arakkurissi Udayarkunnu Bhagavati Temple
(Mannarkkad), Manappullikkavu Bhagavati Temple (Palakkad),
Thirukaacchamkurissi Maha Vishnu Temple (Payyalore, Chittur), Thripallavur Bhagavati
and Kotokkad Bhagavati Temple (Alathur), Paramekkavu Bhagavati Temple
(Trichur), Kodungallur Bhagavati, Chettikulangara Bhagavati Temple
(Mavelikkara), Paravati and Ganesha Shrines at the Kottarakkara Shiva Temple
and Chamundi Devi Temple (Thiruvanthapuram) etc.

The woodcarvings in Temples can also be seen on the Sree Kovil,
Namaskara Mandapam, Naalambalam, Vilakkumatam, Koothambalam, and Gopuram etc

The Balikal Mandapams of South Kerala generally have carvings on the
ceiling.


The Katu Sarkkara Bimba Vidhaana is a unique technique of idol
formation.  Katu Sarkkara is a resolute paste made out of indigenous herbs and
plants (Katu) and crystallized sand or gravel (Sarkkara). This blending
of these materials is done as per Tantra Shastras, an ancient Text.
This concoction is made with flawless care as the idol has to be protected
from termites, insects etc. It takes about sixty days to complete this
progression.

The first feature is making the skeleton or Soolam of the Bimba (Idol).
High quality wood is used to make the skeleton, and the measurement
vary for different Deities as mentioned in the Tantra Shastras.

The Ashta Bandhana Lepana is the process of pasting the different parts
of the skeleton. For this honey, a type of tree gum, jaggery, Kaavi
(Red Ochre), oil and ghee are mixed in an earthen pot and heated.

The next aspect is Naadi Bandhaana, or creating the Naadis or nerves.
The construction of nerves of the human body on the idol is done with
the fibers of the coconut husk.

According to tradition the seven important Naadis or the Saptha Naadis
constitute the Sushumma, Ida, Pingala, Poosha, Yasawani, Sankhini, and
Kuhu are shaped on the idol. The Sushumma represents the spinal cord
and extends from the Mooladhara (Base) to the Sahasraa (Top of the head),
and passes through the Bhroo Madhyam (Forehead). The Ida is then woven
on the right and the Pingala on the left of the Sushumma.  

One of the three yarns of the Ida goes to the left nostril, and of the Pingala goes
to the right nostril and the ears. The yarns connected to the ear are
known as the Poosha and Yaswani. The Sakhini is connected to the navel,
and the Kuhu is fixed to the Guda (Anus).

The Mrtth Lepana or well-treated mud (Mrtth) is coated after the Naadi
Bandhaana. The soil is taken from three different sources. Dry land
represents (Vaatha), marshy land (Kapha) and sandy land (Pittha).

Dirt, stones plants and roots etc are removed and the mud is washed
thoroughly. Then three different Kashayam (Tonic) are prepared and mixed
with the different soil in earthen pots for a period of ten days. The
mud is dried and then mixed with the Thriphala Kashayam again for ten
days and dried. River sand with barley, wheat and the leaves of the
Kaasavu (Memecylon Edule) The mixture is then blended with tender coconut
water and kept for another ten days, and is stirred daily.
Equal amounts of Thiruvattapasa, Kuntharikkam, Guggulu, and Chenchalyam
are then added.

This fused mud is mixed with honey and put in cow milk curds for seven
days.

A mixture of identical amounts of dried ginger, pepper and Thippali is
prepared and added to the mud along with honey, ghee and milk.

The mixture is then well ground.
Equal quantities of Plavin Pasa and the kernel of the Koovalam fruit
are added together with a little oil. Saffron powder, sandalwood,
camphor, Akil, Kottam and Gorochana are mixed and ground in Kaasavu oil.
Kasthoori (musk) is added to a powdered mixture of gold, silver, purified
sand from riverbanks or seashore, mud from the crab hole, mud from the
farmer’s plough, bull’s hooves and elephant’s tusks and Ganga water. This
mixture is than added to the mud concoction.

The Kashayam made from the bark of the Illippa (Bassia Longifolia) tree
is added and kept for five days. This is then well ground.

Coconut husk equaling a quarter of the mud mixture is added together
with the gum of Koovalam and Plavu (Jack Fruit) trees.

This mixture is then pounded for ten days and applied on the skeleton
of the Bimbha (Idol).
There are specific proportions and measurements for every liquid and
material that is added to the mud, and stringent care is taken to ensure
this.

Pure silk smeared with gum is wrapped on the Bimbha to protect the
Mrtth.

Equal proportions of river sand, black sand, black stones or gravel
from riverbanks and Kozhipparal are powdered and ground daily for a period
of one month in the Kashayam of the Thriphala, gum from jackfruit tree
and Koovalam. A thin coating is applied on the Bimbha. This process is
known as Kalkka. This process can be used to create ornaments and
decorations.

The Sankh powder gives the idol a white colour.

These types of idols are not subjected to Abhishekam.

These are very rare and the most conspicuous is the main idol at the
Anantha Padmanabha Swamy Temple at Thiruvanthapuram, which is about 18
feet long. In the same Temple is the idol of Vishwaksena, the
Nirmaalyadhaari of Vishnu in this style.

Some of the other Katu Sarkkara is at the Bhadra Kali idols at Maatayi
(Kannur), Panayannarkavu (Thiruvalla), and Malayalapuzha (Kochencherry)
etc.

Clay idols or Venkali images are also rare in Kerala. This style is
usually seen at the borders of the State.

Mud images are very few. The most famous perhaps is the icon at the
Mahathara Maha Lingeswara Temple at Adoor. This is about three feet high,
and is said to be made by Krishna. The idol is now covered with copper
sheets. The others are at the Parvati Parameswari Temple at Thalassery,
Mariamman Bhadra Temple, at Vythiri etc.

The idol at the Vallabha Temple at Thiruvalla is made of Anjanakall,
mud, Darbha and a type of resin. After the Abhishekam, the idol is gently
sponged with a Thoorth (Hand Loom Towel).

Some of the idols are also made in laterite stone.

There are certain traditional impressions and resemblances, which are
generally seen on the idols.

                Part                                                             
Shape

Forehead                                                          
Moon on the Ashthami day

Eye Brows                                                        
Bow

Eyes                                                                  
Lotus Petal, Bilva Leaf, Bow or Fish

Pupil                                                                  
Full Moon or Circle

Nose                                                                  
Sesamum Flower, Seed or Bitter Gourd

Face                                                                   
Egg, Mango, Gingili Seed, Full Moon
                                                                          
Or blossomed Lotus

Ear                                                                      
Conch, Shell of Amara Bean

Tooth                                                                   
Pearl or Jasmine Bud
Mouth                                                                 
Oyster Shell

Neck                                                                   
The Valam Piri or Right Twisted
                                                                            
Conch

Shoulder                                                              
Bamboo or Sugarcane Base
                                                             
Arm                                                                     
Joints of the Arm resemble the nodes
                                                                              
Sugarcane or Bamboo

Palm                                                                     
Inner area of the Palmyra Fruit and
                                                                            
Fingers in the shape of the end of the
                                                                            
Cows Tail

Finger                                                                
Well Fish

Nail                                                                    
Parrots Beak or Crescent


Trunk                                                              
Bull Face

Breast                                                               
Flower Bouquet, Water Whirl, Elephant
                                                                          
Forehead, Lotus Bud, Tender coconut
                                                                          
or Pot
Nipple                                                                
Naava Mani (Small Bell) that is used
                                                                    for
Poojas

Stomach                                                              
Leaf of Peepal Tree

Navel                                                                  
Water Whirl

Folds in the Stomach                                              Waves

Waist                                                                  
Small Drum

Buttock                                                               
Head of the Cobra or the Leaf of the
                                                                           
Peepal Tree

Loins                                                                  
Heap of Sand

Thigh                                                                   
Plantain Stem or Elephant Trunk

Knee                                                                     
Crab

Leg                                                                       
Varaal Fish





Foot                                                                      
Tortoise


Toes                                                                      
Millipede