Temples of Pattanamtitta District

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Preface The monograph Temples of Kerala, which was released on February 24, 1999 AD by the President of India, covered the general aspects of temples in Kerala like history of temples over the last two thousand years, mode of worship, architectural features, carvings and paintings, iconography of idols, deva-prasnam (astrological prediction on temples), rites, priesthood, offerings, temple customs and administration, ritualistic and performing arts etc. As an addendum to the monograph Temples of Kerala, it was decided to have 14 District monographs, of which ten District monographs have been published viz. Temples of Kasaragod district, Temples of Kannoor district, Temples of Wayanad district, Temples of Kozhikkode district, Temples of Malappuram district, Temples of Palakkat district, Temples of Trésoor district, Temples of Ernakulam district Temples of tukki district and Temples of Kottayam district. The monograph of Temples of Alappuzha district was entrusted for printing to the office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India and printed copies still awaited. This monograph, Temples of Pattanamtifta district, is the twelfth in the series of District monographs.

The background of taking up this exhaustive study on temples of Kerala needs little elaboration. The Census Organization of India undertook a study on temples of Madras State as an ancillary study of the 1961 Census. This study evoked keen interest among scholars, the Government and statutory bodies of Kerala Late Sree R. Vasudeva Poduval a renowned Archaeologist, requested the Registrar General, India date Sree A Chandrasekhar) as early as 1969 to launch a study on temples of Kerala similar to the one that was conducted in Madras state and the latter readily agreed to this suggestion. The study could not be taken up due to heavy pressure of work in connection with the 1971 Census.

Foreword Temples form an integral part of the religious life of a Hindu A temple dedicated to a deity is not only a product of technical knowledge of the building but also metaphysical and theological concepts of artistic and literary, religious practices and attitude prevalent at a particular time. The intricate architectural design and the inscriptions within the temple express many facets of the religion, ideas about the deities, and the abode of them on earth in the form of temples. The inscriptions attractive and their tantric background are indeed the best source for the correct understanding of a Hindu temple.

In view of the above relevance and to understand the various facets of temples, the study on "Temples of Kerala" has been undertaken. The present volume of Temples of Pattanamtitta District is the 12" publication in the District series of "Study of Temples" This monograph contains details of 407 temples and write-up on 78 important temples, in addition to attractive photographs.

The present report is the outcome of the concerted efforts of Shri. Jayashanker, retired Deputy Director of Census Operations, Kerala. The present work meticulously completed by him reveals his basic understanding of the intimacy of the various facets of the Indian temples. It is expected that the voluminous details presented in the current report will definitely fulfil the purpose and the aim of which the study is undertaken.

The efforts made by the author will definitely go a long way to enrich the already existing literature on religious places in India and will be handy in this direction. I do hope that this work will be received by the readers as well as by the research scholars alike.

**Contents and Sample Pages**