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The use of the
sloping roof on wooden frames which was introduced primarily to counteract heavy rain,
also lend superficial similarity with the architectural traditions of the Himalayan
region, China and Far Eastern countries. Further Kerala temples are rarely higher when the
coconut palms around them. Their style of architecture, though compli- cated, is never
remarkable for design, elegance or magnificence of dimensions; it consists of a series of
low buildings, encompassed by a strong wall; they are surrounded with groves and ianks for
the refreshment and devotion of Brahmins; their site is always well chosen on the bank of
a stream,or verge of a lake, embossomed in the exuberant foliage of majestic trees;
nothing can be more beauti fully picturesque than their situation. **
Classic Temple
A classic temple in Kerala called Ambalam or Kshetram or
sometimes tali has the srikoil or central shrine as its heart. The srikoil plan may be
round, square, rectangular, oval or Apsidal (semicircular) and the temple normally faces
east, though some face west and a few South.
**Memoir of Travancore Survey, Vol. 1.
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