About the temple

The general form of Thumpamon Sree VadakkumNathan temple is based on the PANCHA-PRAKARA LAYOUT SCHEME of the traditional kerala temples..The Bhakti Movement and resurgence of Hinduism also marked the revival of temple construction. According to Kularnava Tantra human body itself is a temple and Sadashiva or Paramathma is the diety in this temple. This sidhantha(theory) is adopted in the construction of Kerala Temples. Sreekovil or Garbhagruham (sanctum sanctorum) is considered as the head of the diety, Antharalam or inner Balivattom is considered as the face of the diety, Mukhamandapam or Namaskara mandapam is considered as the neck of the diety, Nalambalam is considered as the hands of the diety, Pradakshinaveethi is considered as the Kukshi pradesa (stomach) of the diety, compound wall is considered as the legs of the diety and the main Gopuram is considered as the foot of the diety. That means Panchaprakaras (Prakaram or compound wall, Bahyahara or Sheevelippura, Madhyahara or Vilakkumadam, Anthahara or Nalambalam and Antharalam or inner Balivattom) of the Temple is the Sthoola Sareera (visible part of the body) of the diety. The Deva Prathishta or idol inside the Sreekovil or Garbhagruha and the Shadaadharas (Aadharashila, Nidhikumbham, Padmam, Koormam, Yoganaalam and Napumsaka shila) under the prathishta is the Sookshma Sareera (soul) of the diety. The Dwajam (flag staff) or Kodimaram is the spinal code of the diety. Hence a typical Kerala temple resembles a human body in all aspects.Fully realising the need to create places of worship that would attract devotees, the Pancha-Prakara scheme became the standard for temple architecture.The dimensions of the five components of the temple architecture are laid out in Tantra Samucchaya, a treatise on temple architecture compiled and written in c.1300 AD The five (Pancha) enclosures (Prakaras) around the Sanctum of the thumpamon sree Vadakkum Nathan temple is as follows:

PANCHA-PRAKAARA LAYOUT: OF THUMPAMON SREE VADAKKUM NATHAN TEMPLE
1. AKATTHE-BALIVATTAM - (a)The innermost enclosure, which includes two Sreekovils for building housing of the the principal deitiesVadakkunnathan and ThekkumNathan. (b) Anthar-mandala: Space outside the Sreekovil occupied by protective deities in the form of small stone platforms - Bali-Kall (c)Namaskaara-mandapa: A raised platform for prostration`s
2. NAALAMBALAM / CHUTTAMBALAM - Area around the sanctum which consists of (a)Valia-ambalam: Covered spaces around the Sreekovil for rituals and prayers
(b) Thittapalli: A small temple kitchen (c) Mulayara : Storage space for grains, fruits, utensils, firewood
3. MADHYA HAARA / VILAKKU-MADAM - The Vilakkumadom `Galaxy of Lamps around temple `had lost in the dark age have reconstructed recently.
4. PURATTHE-BALIVATTAM / SIVELIPPURA - Outer enclosure and cirumabulatory pathway consists the following
(a)Agra-mandapa : Pathway leading to the Naalambalam
(b)Valiya-balikall: Large decorated stone platform for sacrificial offerings
(c) Bali-peetha : Positions for protective deities outside the temple
(d) Kshetra-paala: Positions for temple guardians
(e) Kovil of minor deities: Sub-shrines within the temple compound
The temple had lost the Sivelippura and Koothamabalam(the Enclosure for temple musicians) in the dark ages.
5. MARYAADA / PURAM MATHIL - The outer boundary wall consits the following
(a)Gopura in front of vadakkumNathan - a formal high building marking the main gateways
(b)Reconstructed Oottu-pura : Lunch-hall
(c) Puram-mathil: Outer-wall