Kamalanathan Temple, Thiruvanvandoor, Alappuzha – The Temple

Kamalanathan Temple, Thiruvanvandoor, Alappuzha – The Temple

The temple is built in Kerala style architecture, which is common in all temples in the South Indian state of Kerala in Eastern axis. The temple has a two storied gopuram or a gateway tower, with the upper storey having wooden trails covering the Kottupura (a hall of drum beating during festivals). A rectangular wall around the temple, called Kshetra-Madilluka pierced by the gateways, encloses all the shrines of the temple. The metal plated flag post or Dwajasthambam is located axial to the temple tower leading to the central sanctum and there is a Deepasthamba, which is the light post. 

Chuttuambalam is the outer pavilion within the temple walls. The central shrine and the associated hall is located in a rectangular structure called Nallambalam, which has pillared halls and corridors. Between the entrance of Nallambalam to the sanctum, there is a raised square platform called Namaskara Mandapa which has a pyramidal roof. Thevrapura, the kitchen used to cook offering to the deity is located on the left of Namaskara Mandapa from the entrance. Balithara is an altar is used for making ritualistic offering to demi-gods and the festive deities.

The central shrine called Sreekovil houses the image of the presiding deity. Presiding Deity is called as Paambanaiyappan (Paambu + Anai + Appan) / Kamalanathan. He is found in standing posture facing towards west direction. Lord is holding his conch and discus. The sculpture in the form of the idol, which depicts the dance of child Krishna, on the heads of snake Kalinga is very attractive. The two pillars bearing this Nardana Kanna, also have the carvings of all Dasavathara (10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu) scenes.  

Sreekovil is on an elevated platform with a single door reached through a flight of five steps. Either sides of the doors have images of guardian deities called Dwarapalakas. As per Kerala rituals, only the main priest called Thantri and the second priest called Melshanthi alone can enter the Sree Kovil. The central shrine has a circular plan with the base built of granite, superstructure built of laterite and conical roof made of terrocata tile supported from inside by a wooden structure.

The lower half of Sree Kovil consists of the basement, the pillar or the wall, called Stambha or bhithi and the entablature called prasthara in the ratio 1:2:1, in height. Similarly, the upper half is divided into the neck called Griva, the roof tower called shikhara and the fonial kalasam (made of copper) in the same ratio. The roof projects in two levels to protect the inner structure from heavy rains during monsoon. The roof of the temple and some of the pillars have lavish wood and stucco carvings depicting various stories of ancient epics, Ramayana and Mahabharatha.

The outer walls around the sanctum have a series of wooden frames housing an array of lamps, which are lit during festive occasions. The temples have paintings on its walls dating back to early 18^th century. Vimanam over the sanctum is called as Vedhalaya Vimaanam.  Lots of Utsava Idols were digged out during excavation conducted in Temple premises and they were kept in separate Shrines. Mother is called as Kamalavalli Nachiyar. Theerthams associated with this Temple are is Pabhanasa Theertham and Pambha Theertham.

There is also a shrine to Gopalakrishnan here. The image of Gopalakrishna was lost many years ago and was rediscovered in the 1960s and reconsecrated. Lord Krishna is in his baby form standing on two folded legs and one hand and showing the left hand containing curd rice. He is seen holding the rice with two of his fingers. There are shrines of Sastha, Shiva and Ganapathy outside the main temple. This temple dates back to the period of Kulasekhara Perumal. Much of the present structure dates back to the 14^th century CE and was renovated by the Travancore kings (Moolam Thirunaal) in early 20^th century.