Exploring Kerala’s traditional Architecture – Vastu Sastra

Kerala is the land of abundant natural beauty. Along with being blessed by nature the rich culture and heritage of Kerala can be felt in its architecture which is also greatly influenced by the Dravidian and Indian Vedic Architectural Science (Vasthu shastra) over two thousand years. The Thachushastra, Tantrasamuchaya, Silparatna and Manushyalaya – Chandrika are important architectural sciences that influence the architecture of Kerala.Exclusive Kerala trip packages will include visits to places that have these traditional architectural structures where in you can view the beauty of the structures that have been built in Kerala. The architectural style of Kerala has evolved over the years and is greatly influenced by its maritime trading partners Arabs, Chinese and Europeans. The main characteristic expression of architecture here is the geographical and climatic factors. Geographically Kerala is bounded by the Arabian Sea on the west and the Western Ghats on the East forming a narrow strip of land in between. The high level of humidity in the state is attributed by the long monsoon season as the state experiences the south western monsoon as well as the north eastern monsoon. Also the months of April and may experience a harsh tropical summer. All these climatic factors have influenced the architecture of Kerala. Amazing Kerala tour packages from Surat can be customized according to the places that you would like to visit and the number of days that you want to stay in each place. Of all the different types of traditional structures the Nalukettu is a very peculiar traditional homestead of an old tharavadu where many generations of Matrilineal families existed. The traditional architecture of a Nalukettu involves four halls that are joined into a central courtyard that is open to the sky. The four halls are respectively named according to the four directions as the Vadakkini (northern block), Thekkini (southern block), Padinjattini (western block) and Kizhakkini (eastern block). The architecture of the tharavadu was specially designed to cater to the huge families to live together and enjoy the facilities of the Marumakkathayam homestead. The science of Carpentry or Vasthu was the governing science in building such traditional homesteads. The knowledge in this field was greatly evolved and formed into major branches of literature. The layout of these homes was simple and yet they could accommodate huge number of people. The Ettukettu (eight-halled with two central courtyards) and the Pathinarukettu (sixteen-halled with four central courtyards) are more elaborate forms of the Nalukettu. The houses all face the rising sun and there is excellent ventilation in them. Even during the hottest summer the houses will have a cool temperature within it making these houses ideal for everyone. The best honeymoon packages in Kerala will make you experience not only the natural beauty of this state but you can also enjoy the varied architecture of this place with your spouse. You can also imbibe a few ideas which you can incorporate into building your new home as you start a new life together.

 

The architecture of Kerala can be broadly categorized into two sections – Religious architecture that has been adopted by temples and the Domestic architecture that has mostly been seen in houses. There are distinctive styles in these architectures as Palaces and the feudal lords had more elaborate mansions than the commoners and the style of houses also differed among different religious communities. The base model of all these structures remain the same with the characteristic sloping roofs that were made to withstand the heavy monsoon and the roofs were either lined with tiles or thatched with a labyrinth of palm leaves. These are supported on a framework of timber or wood. And this framework was supported on pillars. The science of Vasthu plays a very important role in the building of these structures as the concept behind this believed that the wood that is used in the construction is a living thing and has its own life and this must be synthesized with the surroundings and the with the people who live in it. The Kerala honeymoon is a good option for newly married couples as the beauty of Kerala lies in its uniqueness. Everything in this place is unique and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

 

There are many element of the Nalukettu. They are:

 

Padipurra is the main entrance of the home. This may also be constructed like the goupuram of the temple style with one or two rooms to accommodate guests who are not entertained in the main house. The Creative Kerala honeymoon tour packages can be booked in advance and you can select the different places that you would like to visit. If you enjoyed the structure of the Nalukettu then you can choose options of staying in a homestay offering these kind of facilities.

 

Poomukham is the main portico after you climb the steps of the house. Traditionally it has a slopping roof supported on pillars. It is usually here that the head of the family called the Karnavar will sit in a reclining chair and with his spittoon on his side.

 

Chuttu verandah form the main portico there is a verandah to either side in front of the house like an open passage, with lamps which hang from the sloping roof. The Kerala tourism honeymoon packages can be customized according to your choice of the number of days you would want to stay here.

 

Nadumuttom is the central open courtyard of the house which divided the house into four sections. In this courtyard there is the holy basil plant is kept and daily during sunset a lamp is lit in front of it. This Nadumuttom being open to the sky will have the inflow of rain and sunlight which will allow positive energies to flow in and out of the house.

 

The puja room of the house is placed in the north east corner and the idols can face either east or west. The traditional puja rooms are even incorporated in nowadays homes. The Romantic Kerala tour packages for couples are  ideal for newly married couples as Kerala will not only make you enjoy, but you can also adopt a few things from here before going back.