The background of taking up this exhaustive study 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 Potluval a renowned Archaeologist, requested the Registrar General. India (late 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 But the study could not be taken up due to heavy pressure of work in connection with the 1971 census. In 1973, the Travancore Devaswam Board also came up with a similar request but the backlog of census work of 1971 census stood in the way in launching the study in 1979 the Advisor to the Government of Kerala on Temples and Traditional Arts again requested the Director of Census Operations to commence the study. But again some unforeseen circumstances prevented the organization from taking up the study However, in May 1990, the Government of Kerala again requested the Census Directorate to take up a detailed survey on temples of Kerala and the Registrar General (Sree AR. Nanda I.A.S.) directed to commence the survey in June 1991.
The schedule, which was canvassed throughout the State, was finalized in consultation with tantris and Silpis Śree AR. Nanda, IAS. (former Registrar General. India), Dr. K. P. Itäman (former Deputy Registrar General, India) and Sree K.C. Narayana Kurup (former Deputy Director of Census Operations, Madras) gave invaluable suggestions in designing and finalizing the schedule The schedules were printed in September 1991 and the work commenced.
This monograph titled Temples of Emakulam District, which is eighth in the District monograph-series, has a special significance as the district can claim to have the birth place of the renowned philosopher-saint Sree Sankarachaarya in it By adopting best elements of Hinduism and Buddhism in his teachings and methods he became the mastermind of cultural synthesis in India. Born at Kaladt on the northern bank of Poorna river (Pertyar) in Ernakulam district he also made signal contributions to the philosophy and practice of Hindu religion. The history of temples of the district is inter woven with his association, which include those temples he worshipped, consecrated or pooja system introduced.
Kerala temples are unique in their architecture style and rituals. The distinctive style of architecture is termed 'Dravida-Kerala The monograph gives the varied forms of architectural types used in building temples. These patterns are clearly discernible from the photographs of major and most important temples included in this monograph. They are aesthetically pleasing visualisation of the great temples described in the monograph. The painstakingly compiled Temple Directory of 1285 temples in the district could support several research studies in architectural pattern.
**Contents and Sample Pages**
Vedas (1196)
Upanishads (501)
Puranas (633)
Ramayana (747)
Mahabharata (362)
Dharmasastras (167)
Goddess (503)
Bhakti (243)
Saints (1513)
Gods (1295)
Shiva (379)
Journal (184)
Fiction (60)
Vedanta (365)
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