Kadalayimadom Temple: Convergence of Major Attributes of an Ideal Village.

 

Here is a part of the poem describing some of the attributes of a village. It is very simple.

 Aalayaal Thara Venam

Aduthorampalam Venam

Aalinu Chernnoru Kulavum Venam

Kulippanaay Kulam Venam

Kulathil Chenthamara Venam

Kulichu Chennuakam Pookaan Chandanam Venam

Banyan tree 

It is a song written by Kavalam Narayana Panikker. The first two lines mean - we need a seating arrangement (Thara) around the banyan tree (Aal) and a temple next to it.

 I will make it clear by explaining each line in the following way.

• Aalayal Thara Venam = If there is a banyan tree, there should be a platform built for it (a raised floor built around the banyan tree, usually in a square shape)
• Aduthorambalam Venam = There should be a temple near this tree.
• Aalinu chernnoru kulavum venom = Very close to this banyan tree, there should be a lake/pond.
• Kulippanay Kulam venom = Yes, there should be a lake/pond for bathing
• Kulathil chenthamara venom = Also, there should be many red lotus plants with flowers in that pond
• Kulichu chennakam pookan chandanam venam = There should be a sandal mix to apply (on the body or forehead) after the bath.

                              Banyan tree with raised platform (Althara)

In Kerala, the banyan tree, temple, Ambala kulam (pond), etc., are together in a single group. They have a close connection, and you can see that almost all temples of Kerala possess these items.

Say anything, this Malayalam folk song is a beauty in lyrics. It is a pleasure to hear. All Malayalies, including me, love this song.

The purpose of each item mentioned in the poem is clear.

Once, I asked my mother why all these things were together near the temple. 

She told me all these were for leading a healthy and peaceful life. She explained it clearly by mentioning each item.

• The first thing to do is to wake up in the early morning.
• Start your day by walking to the temple. You will get enough exercise for the day.
• The second step to follow is to take a bath in the kulam.
• The third step is to enter the temple to make a prayer. After the prayer, the temple priest gives the sandal paste (chandanam) to wear.
• The final step is to come out from the temple to reach the banyan tree platform (the althara) and sit there to join the community group. 

It is a platform for social contact and communication. The discussion at the althara every day makes each person strongly bonded to one another, resulting in solving common and individual issues hand in hand.

Shouldering responsibilities together is a healthy culture. 

What do you say?

After all these processes, everyone goes back home for their other responsibilities.

The banyan tree is important in Hinduism. Why does a tree have so much importance? It may sound suspicious, but there is a reason behind it. 

• The banyan tree is full of the presence of the trinity in which cosmic functions of creation, preservation, and destruction together.
•  The concept is that Brahma resides at the base of the tree, Vishnu resides in the middle, and Shiva at the top.

It is a beautiful concept to preserve and respect a tree.

Don't you think?

The hymn:

'Mulato Brahmarupaya Middleto Vishnu Rupinee Agrato Shiva Rupaya Vrishka Rajayate Namo Namah' ('മൂലതോ ബ്രഹ്മരൂപായ മധ്യതോ വിഷ്ണു രൂപിണേ അഗ്രതോ ശിവ രൂപായ വൃക്ഷ രാജായതേ നമോ നമഃ'). The usual practice is to go around the tree seven times by chanting this hymn to fulfill your wishes.

The hymn to fulfill your wishes

 

Kadalayimadom temple:

 

Kadalayimadom temple

Step into a world where tranquility meets tradition at Kadalayimadom temple. Feel the serenity of the temple pond and be mesmerized by the stunning ambiance.

Discover the essence of an idyllic village where tradition meets tranquility.

Picture this: a quaint village with a serene temple where spirituality blooms and hearts find solace. Embrace the sacred vibes of an althara where stories of yore whisper through the wind.

Dive deeper into the purity of village life as you gaze upon the glistening temple pond, a reflection of peace and community harmony.

Join me in painting a picture of our dream village -

•  pure, traditional, and in harmony with nature. 

Share your vision, and let us build something beautiful together!

After offering your prayers, experience pure bliss as you apply sandalwood paste to your forehead, connecting with centuries-old customs and finding inner peace.

Gather around the sacred Aalthara, where stories unfold through fair-minded communication and bonds strengthen. Let the red lotus bloom as a symbol of unity and growth in our community.

After prayers at the temple, let us embrace the soothing touch of sandalwood paste and partake in deep discussions that nourish our minds and souls.

Sandalwood paste to wear after prayer

• In times of difficulties, they stand together as a community group, supporting each other through thick and thin.
• It is where culture thrives - in togetherness, understanding, and resilience.

 

The beauty of Maranad village, comparing the present stage and years back, was already discussed in my other article (https://retnacpn.blogspot.com/2023/10/my-mothers-native-place-maranadu-village.html).

In this article, I discuss only the temple and its surroundings with some requirements of an ideal village.

Temples in Kerala have a different architectural style. Each construction is by the rules of Vastu. 

• We have extreme climatic conditions like heavy rainfall during North-East and South-West monsoon seasons. 
• It is difficult to withstand the scorching heat in the summer season.

The climate here is wet and hot due to humidity throughout the year.

 

• To counter these climatic conditions, the Kerala people developed a traditional style that is the architecture of Kerala.
• The temples of Kerala are in strict accordance with two temple construction theses, Thantra-Samuchayam and Shilparatnam. 
• Tantra samuchayum deals with developing structures that regulate energy flow.

Do you know how energy flow regulation happens?

• The structure that allows positive energy flows in, while negative energy does not tend to remain retarded within the structure.

Shilparatna deals in developing stone and timber architecture. 

Wooden louvers to admit air and light.

• The concept of this style of architecture is that each carved structure imbibes a life and personality of its own.

Unique features:

 

• Traditional knowledge system where there is strict adherence to the principles of Thatchu Sastra
• Pleasingly proportioned and in complete harmony with nature
• Well-defined styles to counter the wettest climatic conditions, heavy humidity, and harsh tropical summers.

The tiled and slopped temple roof protects the walls during heavy monsoons and hot tropical summers. The walls are often square, and the innermost enclosed shrine has another four walls to which only the pujari (priest) enters.

Tiled sloppy roof

Elements and features of the temple:

Sri-kovil

 

In the inner sanctum sanctorum, the devi (the deity) resides. It is an independent structure, detached from other structures, and having its roof shared with none. The Sri-kovil has only one large door facing towards the east.

The Sri-kovil is square, and the square shape is the form of the Vedic fire altar and strongly suggests the Vedic mooring. 

• To protect the wall from the vagaries of climate, a sloping roof with projecting caves gives a characteristic form to Kerala temples. 
• The Sri-kovil is on a raised platform with five steps called Sopanapadi. 
• On the sides of the Sopanapadi, two carved statues known as Dwarapalakas (door guards) are there to guard the deity.

 As per Kerala ritual customs, only the priest (Thantri) and second priest (Melshanti) have the right to enter the Sri-kovil.

 

Besides, Sri-kovil other features of the temple are:

• The flag post is there in front of the entrance of the temple.
• The Namaskara mandapa is a square-shaped pavilion with a raised platform. It has four pillars and a pyramidal roof.

The shrine and the mandapa building are within a rectangular structure. It is called the Nalambalam.

Flag post in front of the entrance

At the entrance of the Nalambalam, we can see a square-shaped raised stone altar called Balithara.

• The main entrance has wooden louvers to admit air and light, maintaining a pleasant temperature inside.
• Chuttambalam, the outer structure within the temple walls, has a main pavilion known as a mukha-mandapam. 

Entrance to Nalambalam (you can see a part of Balithara)

The temple is now fully enclosed in a massive wall pierced with a gate.

The Chuttambalam has gates to enter from all sides.

A tiled walkway can be seen around the Chuttambalam to allow devotees to circulate the temple.

The Chuttambalam has dwajavillakku or giant lamp-posts in several places in the mukha-mandapam.

 

Lamp-posts

Ambala kulam (Temple Pond):

 

This temple has a sacred temple pond within the temple complex.

•  As per Vastu rules, water is a source of positive energy and synthesis balance of all energies. 
• This pond is for devotees to bathe before entering the temple. 

Ambalakulam

Today, several temples (including Kadalayi madom temple) have Mani-Kinar or Holy Well within the Nalambalam complex to get sacred waters for purposes of rituals.

The lawn between the banyan tree and the temple is green even when the summer temperature is very high, nearly 40 degrees Celsius. Nobody waters it. The reason may be the presence of wetlands and other water bodies in the location.

The custom of tying cradle and bell on banyan tree:

Here I noticed that there are a lot of bells and cradles on the banyan tree.

Here is a belief that if a woman who does not have a child for a long time after marriage ties a cradle to the temple Banyan Temple Tree and prays devotedly for a child.

• Devotees tie the bell after rituals to fulfill their wishes.
• The devotees walk around the tree with prayers and making wishes. After that, they tie the bell to it, expecting a positive result.

I have discussed the belief of tying cradle and bells on the banyan tree in my other article. Please have a look into it. (https://retnacpn.blogspot.com/2024/03/azhimala-where-nature-dances-with.html)

 

Bell and Cradle tied on the branch of Banyan tree

Ideal village:

Now let me tell you something about an ideal village.

 

• Mahatma Gandhi once said the future of India lies in its villages. 
• Villages are the backbone of this country, where almost seventy percent of our population dwells. 

 

I think villages are ideal when they attain sustainability.

 

Villagers or Inhabitants 

 

The people of a village have a significant role in maintaining the quality of that location.

•  In an ideal village, the villagers themselves are involved in the formation, governance, and maintenance of the place in an open-minded way. 
• They give preference to honesty and hard work. 
• They tolerate every faith and religion, brotherhood, and unity. 
• They always live like a single family and help one another in their hour of need. 
• They maintain a sense of discipline and a spirit of service. 
• They shoulder the responsibilities not only of the happenings of the village but also of the country and the world. 
• They should always be active and cheerful citizens. 
• Simple living and high thinking should be their way of life.

 

Basic Infra-structures

 

Besides the people, an ideal village should have the following basic infrastructure.

 

Good Connectivity

• Good connectivity is an essential requirement of an ideal village. 
• The village should be well-connected to other parts of the country by roads and rails.

Well-maintained streets and lanes of the village are another requirement. So that people can easily commute from one part to another.

 

Houses should be:

 

• The houses should be neat and clean. 
• Well-ventilated to allow free flow of light and air.
• There must be arrangements for proper sanitation and drainage systems.

 

Sufficient sources of potable water:

 

• An ideal village has a clean drinking water supply system.
• There should be enough wells and tube wells to meet the needs and help everyone get good drinking water. 

There should be separate ponds to take baths and to get water for their cattle.

 

Proper sanitation and drainage facilities:

 

• An ideal village has proper sanitation and drainage systems. 
• Draining out the dirty water and waste would help to keep the village clean and free from many diseases caused by filthy water. 

It would also save the villagers from water-logging during the rainy season.

 Pasture land for cattle:

• Almost every villager living in a village keeps cattle. 
• There should be enough pasture land for grazing their cattle. 

Generally, it should be within the village or near the house.

 

Cultivation of bananas and other crops

Food and fodder

 

The villagers grow food and vegetables not only for themselves but also for the urban people. 

• They are the food givers.
• They grow grass and produce dairy, poultry, and other products for their consumption and supply to urban areas. 

There must be a system to provide them with good seeds.

The advantage of insurance coverage is a must if there is any loss due to disasters like heavy rain. 

 

Market within the village

Farmers grow food crops, cash crops, and fodders in their fields.

They consume the food crops and the fodder for their cattle.

• The cash crops and other surplus products are sold in the market to meet their requirements. 
• There should be a provision for a market in the village so that the villagers can sell their surplus products at reasonable rates and get good returns. 

This way, villagers can avoid the involvement of any middlemen in the trade.

 

Cottage Industries

 

An ideal village should have well-established small cottage industries so that the artisans and small farmers can showcase their skills and extra time to produce articles necessary for day-to-day use and earn a handsome profit by selling them in the market.

 

Healthcare Centres and Hospitals:

 

Besides food, the other most important aspect of human life is health. 

• An ideal village has proper facilities taking care of the health of the villagers as well as of their cattle and poultry.
• There should be one to two healthcare centers for the people and cattle (veterinary dispensaries). 

A small hospital also adds to the quality of such a village. 

 

Educational facilities:

 

• An ideal village must have proper arrangements for education for the children. 
• There should be Primary and High schools so that the little children need not go away for education. 
• Primary education, a civil right, should be free and compulsory for every child up to a certain age.

There should also be soft skills training centers and preferably an adult education center for the elders who want to get an education.

 In addition to the above, other facilities like a post office, college, playground for children, and a meeting place for elders should also be part of an ideal village.

•  Availability of electricity is a must in an ideal village.
•  Electricity lights up the lives of students and the farmers there. 

We know that in the last few years, there has been uncertainty in the monsoon. Poor monsoon causes the failure of crops. If there is electricity, then tube-well can be used to irrigate the fields.

 

Generally, farmers live in the villages. They are very much dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. 

• Failures of crops can create a financial burden for them, and this is the reason for the increase in the rate of suicide among farmers in our country. 
• The main reason for the failure of crops in our country is the lack of irrigation facilities. 
• There should be a proper linkage of canals, rivers, and ponds in a village. 

 

In Maranad, linked canals are there, even inside the temple premises, connected to the Kallada irrigation project.

 Public gathering house

 The village chaupal or public gathering house should also be there, where villagers could gather to discuss things related to their village or farming. You can use it to announce different programs and schemes run by the government from time to time. 

• There should be a television, a radio set, and some newspapers to keep villagers up to date with all the latest happening around the country.
• There should be a library in the village for both students and elders. 

 

Venue for conducting programs

Police station

There should also be a police station in or near the village to settle disputes. 

 Tree cover

 There must be lots of tree cover to prevent soil erosion and groundwater recharging.

 

Lots of tree cover

In a nutshell, an ideal village should have all possible provisions and basic intra-structures for the all-round well-being of the villagers. 

• Life in such a village would be a grace. 
• No one would think about migration to other countries or leave his home and dowel in an urban area. It is a way of preventing brain drain.

Don't you think so?