Hidden deep within the lush vegetation in the serene village of Karuvannur, in the northern areas of Kozhikode, is the Kunnamangalam Bhagawati Temple. The temple’s rich history has been etched into Hindu legends, instilling faith in locals and many others. Built 600 years ago, the temple still proudly houses one original piece of architecture, the Karnikara Mandapam. This architectural
gem, a semi-open hall, has stood the test of time, but its time is rapidly running out. Urgent conservation is needed to preserve this 600-year-old treasure.
The Cultural Significance of Karnikara Mandapam
At the heart of this strong community, the Karnikara Mandapam forms a bridge between the present locals and all past locals over these 600 years, connecting each spirit within this faithful community. Opposing the typical four-pillar structure of a temple’s central hall, the Karnikara Mandapam comprises sixteen pillars, representing the layers of a sixteen-petalled lotus known as Karnikara Bindu. The Karnikara Mandapam carries the name of this significant lotus flower and its cultural values; it is said that ‘there’s a lotus flower in every Hindu’s heart’ (McClenaghan). In Hinduism, the lotus signifies spiritual enlightenment, purity, prosperity and beauty; it is believed that in return for this design, the Karnikara Mandapam can offer the same to its devoted community.
The Kunnamangalam Bhagawati Temple is famous for its annual seven-day festival in March (Meenam), with unique rituals held in the Karnikara Mandapam. This celebration of cultural heritage involves re-enacting the legendary slaying of the Asura Darika by Bhadrakali whilst Kalamezhuthu captivates the gathering with a grand image of the goddess using natural powders on the mud floor. The festival contains many more ceremonies of worship in the Mandapam, symbolising the unbreakable bond between the deity and her devotees. Without the Karnikara Mandapam, these sacred festivities would lose a vital piece of their heritage. With nothing remaining of the precious 600-year-old original temple, the community’s faith wouldn’t have such a strong figurehead deep in their hearts. This is where the conservation group ARPO (archival and research project) stepped in and began coordinating a preservation project for the Karnikara Mandapam.
The Restoration of Karnikara Mandapam
ARPO, the guardian of heritage, took the first step towards preserving the Karnikara Mandapam by enlisting the expertise of Team Ezha as a conservation consultant. Comprising three young female architects who crossed paths while pursuing their studies in Delhi just seven years ago, Team Ezha is a testament to the power of shared passion. Swathy Subramanian, Savita Rajan, and Ritu Thomas united under the banner of conservational architecture, a rare commitment for young architects. Their dedication is a beacon of hope for preserving local cultural treasures.
On the brink of collapse, after 6oo years, the Karnikara Mandapam suffered years of neglect and deterioration as termites infested the timber, fungal rot was found in the crevices, and many roof tiles were missing. The Mandapam’s significant structure initially consisted of sixteen timber pillars, a laterite stone plinth, mud flooring with a granite frame and a clay-tiled roof with additional support from timber structural members. ARPO faced monetary difficulties and feared they might have to opt for a cheaper structure of concrete or iron. Still, thankfully, the architects swooped in at the right time alongside extra funding so that they could ultimately use wood in line with the traditional approach. With the severe decay of the structure, Swathy said that it would not have survived another month.
Team Ezha came to the project in January to start the conservation and got to work immediately in order to reach completion before the Meenam festivities, leaving the team less than three months. Although many people who donated to the cause expected something ‘new’ from this project, the architects found it crucial to use traditional techniques and materials, not straying too far from the original architecture of the Karnikara Mandapam. After consulting with local construction experts, the team decided to replace the woodwork completely whilst adding a stone base to the pillars to avoid damp and termites recurring. The mud floor was treated with anti-termite techniques, and the floor stones were washed and reused. The plinth was replastered with lime and washed with red oxide pigment to achieve the original warm hue of the plinth. Local Ayurveda practitioner Purushothaman Vaidyar prepared a particular timber preservation oil made up of castor, neem, sesame, mustard and vetiver oils and herbs, which is said to protect the timber from termites for up to 1,000 years whilst also holding medicinal properties for devotees.
Swathy, Savita and Ritu were able to preserve the traditional charm of the Karnikara Mandapam, protecting it for decades to come, and they achieved all this in less than three months. The Bhagawati temple was ready to welcome the ceremonial festivities with the centrepiece in perfect condition, boasting warm lighting for the rituals to take place and captivate the community, restoring the faith in tradition. This restoration project received honourable recognition from the UN body as team Ezha won UNESCO’s Asia Pacific award for cultural heritage conservation in 2023, a special moment for any conservation architects. These three women, alongside ARPO, gave this quaint village the sacred gift of an unbreakable faith.
References:
ARPO (2024). Architectural Conservation. [online]. Available at: https://www.arpo.in/architectural-conservation#:~:text=The%20sixteen%20pillared%20square%20hall,on%20this%20once%20remarkable%20structure.?pgid=lmk1hb0u-4714be0f-dbf5-4161-baed-bd43922e23bf
Archival and research project (ARPO) (2023). ARPO Intervention: Conserving traditional architecture at Kunnamangalam Bhadrakali Temple. [YouTube video]. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi4t9V6OGzE
Athira, L (2023). UNESCO honour for mandapam in Kerala leaves architect trio beaming. [online]. Available at: https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2023/Dec/25/unesco-honour-for-mandapam-in-kerala-leaves-architect-trio-beaming-2644622.html
Disney, T (2023). Restoring faith in traditional architecture. [online]. Available at: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/tracking-indian-communities/restoring-faith-in-traditional-architecture/
Kuriakose, R (2024). A ‘knot’ to heritage. [online]. Available at: https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2024/Feb/13/a-knot-to-heritage
McClenaghan, L (2022). The lotus flower: meanings, images & insights. [online]. Available at: https://www.floraly.com.au/blogs/news/lotus-flower-meanings
Images:
Image 1. ARPO. The Kunnamangalam Bhagawati Temple through the forest. [Photograph]. Available at: https://www.arpo.in/architectural-conservation#:~:text=The%20sixteen%20pillared%20square%20hall,on%20this%20once%20remarkable%20structure.?pgid=lmk1hb0u-4714be0f-dbf5-4161-baed-bd43922e23bf
Image 2. ARPO. Festive rituals in the Karnikara Mandapam. [Photograph]. Available at: https://www.arpo.in/architectural-conservation#:~:text=The%20sixteen%20pillared%20square%20hall,on%20this%20once%20remarkable%20structure.?pgid=lmk1hb0u-4714be0f-dbf5-4161-baed-bd43922e23bf
Image 3. ARPO. The Karnikara Mandapam’s disrepair. [Photograph]. Available at: https://www.arpo.in/architectural-conservation#:~:text=The%20sixteen%20pillared%20square%20hall,on%20this%20once%20remarkable%20structure.?pgid=lmk1hb0u-4714be0f-dbf5-4161-baed-bd43922e23bf
Image 4. ARPO. The Karnikara Mandapam after restoration. [Photograph]. Available at: https://www.arpo.in/architectural-conservation#:~:text=The%20sixteen%20pillared%20square%20hall,on%20this%20once%20remarkable%20structure.?pgid=lmk1hb0u-4714be0f-dbf5-4161-baed-bd43922e23bf
