ART & CULTURE

Apart from its religious significance, the Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple also showcases splendid architectural beauty. The temple boasts intricate woodwork and elaborate mural paintings depicting various Hindu mythological tales mostly from the great Indian Epics Ramayana and Mahabharata on its walls. The serene surroundings and well-preserved premises provide a peaceful atmosphere for spiritual contemplation.The carvings and murals in Ettumanoor Temple are proofs of how much progress was made in the art of sculture and painting in Kerala in ancient times . The walls and ceiling of the shrine, Mandapam , Belikalpura and East Nada are adorned with plenty of such artistic wonders. Most of the carvings are based on the stories of the great epic The Ramayana and The Mahabharata .The Portrayal of the great stories starts from the image of Bhuthathan( some say Chathan swamy) .Bhuthathan is said to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Next to it a row of animals are depicted on granite stone. Then the stories of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata then Dashavathara ,Dakshayagam ,Sivapuranam ,Ganapathi prathal etc .all these are made with great artistery and heart warming work of art.

The inside walls of the gopuram is inscribed with 'pradosha dance', 'Aghoramurthy', Ananthashyanam,and the outer side of the wall 'vettashastav', ' venugopalan', 'gopika vastrakshebham', lasya dance of gopikas etc are portrayed.These paintings are crowning examples of Kerala's unique artistry.

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