| Title | Kerala architecture style |
|---|---|
| Description | Characterized by sloping roofs, gabled windows, and the use of locally sourced materials like laterite and wood, Kerala architecture reflects the region's climate and cultural traditions. |
| Tags | Nalukettu Keralite Laterite Wood architecture Sloping roof Nadumuttam Kerala Keralan woodwork sloping roof Koothambalam Vastu Shastra Silpa Shastras Kuttambalam Padipura Kerala Temple Malabar Temple Architecture Wood Carvings Sloping Roof Kerala architecture Dravidian architecture Vernacular architecture Temple architecture Residential architecture Kerala style Sloping roofs Wood carvings Thachu Shastra Vaastu Shastra Ekasala Kutasala Gajaprishta Wood Vernacular Travancore Domestic Royal Kerala Style Laterite Architecture Tropical Architecture Vasthu Shastra Chuttambalam Temple Woodwork Gable Courtyard Laterite construction |
| Style ID | INHF-230819213-18-11-25-KE |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/styles/kerala-architecture-style |
| API Endpoint | https://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/styles/kerala-architecture-style |
| Total Sites | 17 |
| Primary Sites | 12 |
| Created | November 19, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 19, 2025 |
| Regions | Kerala Tamil Nadu (Kanyakumari district) Tamil Nadu |
|---|
| Time Periods | 8th-18th century CE 8th century CE onwards 8th century CE 9th century CE 10th century CE 11th century CE 12th century CE 13th century CE 14th century CE 15th century CE 16th century CE 17th century CE 18th century CE 19th century CE 20th century CE 16th Century CE 17th Century CE 18th Century CE 8th Century CE 9th Century CE 10th Century CE 11th Century CE 12th Century CE 13th Century CE 14th Century CE 15th Century CE |
|---|---|
| Dynasties | Chera dynasty Travancore dynasty Zamorin of Calicut Chera Dynasty Travancore Royal Family Cochin Royal Family Travancore Dynasty Cochin Dynasty Kingdom of Travancore Travancore Travancore Kingdom Kingdom of Cochin Cochin Kingdom |
| Sacred Contexts | Temples Nalukettu houses Palaces Hindu temples Traditional homes Residential Traditional homes (Nalukettu) Sacred groves (Kavu) Domestic Royal Nalukettu Houses Traditional houses Hindu Temples Nalukettu Sacred Groves |
|---|---|
| Associated Deities | Vishnu Shiva Bhagavathi Bhagavathy Ganesha Devi Ayyappan Krishna |
| Primary Materials | Laterite Wood Granite Laterite stone Clay tiles Clay Clay Tiles |
|---|---|
| Architectural Features | Sloping roofs Gabled windows Courtyards (Nalukettu) Wood carvings Courtyards (Nadumuttam) Padippura (entrance gate) Ambalakulam (temple pond) Wooden carvings Nalukettu courtyard Koothambalam Gable windows Courtyards Gables Padippura (Entrance gate) Kuttambalam (Temple theatre) Koothambalam (Temple theatre) Sloped roofs Verandahs Use of wood carvings Verandahs (Poomukham) Padippura (gateway) Nalukettu (quadrangular structure) Sloping Roofs Gabled Windows Verandas Laterite Walls Mural paintings Padippura (gatehouse) Nalukettu (quadrangular house) Wood Carvings Nalukettu Padippura |
| Keywords | Nalukettu Keralite Laterite Wood architecture Sloping roof Nadumuttam Kerala Keralan woodwork sloping roof Koothambalam Vastu Shastra Silpa Shastras Kuttambalam Padipura Kerala Temple Malabar Temple Architecture Wood Carvings Sloping Roof Kerala architecture Dravidian architecture Vernacular architecture Temple architecture Residential architecture Kerala style Sloping roofs Wood carvings Thachu Shastra Vaastu Shastra Ekasala Kutasala Gajaprishta Wood Vernacular Travancore Domestic Royal Kerala Style Laterite Architecture Tropical Architecture Vasthu Shastra Chuttambalam Temple Woodwork Gable Courtyard Laterite construction |
|---|
| Title | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kerala Architecture: Its Peculiarities and Influences | book | Comprehensive overview of Kerala's architectural heritage |
| Architecture of Kerala | Book | |
| Architecture of Kerala Through Ages | Book | Comprehensive overview of Kerala architectural history and styles. |
| Arts and Crafts of Kerala | book | Overview of Kerala's artistic traditions. |
| Architecture of Kerala Through the Ages | Book | Comprehensive overview of Kerala architectural history. |
| The traditional architecture of Kerala | Book | |
| Indian Architecture: Buddhist and Hindu Period | Book | General overview of Indian temple architecture. |
| Kerala Architecture | Book | Detailed study of Kerala's unique architectural style. |
| Elements of Kerala Architecture | Book | |
| Kerala Architecture: A Comprehensive Study | Book |
| Site Name | Status | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Ananthapura Lake Temple Kasaragod | Primary | 100% |
| Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Aranmula | Primary | 100% |
| Attukal Bhagavathy Temple Thiruvananthapuram | Primary | 100% |
| Bekal Fort Kasaragod | Primary | 100% |
| Chottanikkara Bhagavathy Temple Ernakulam | Primary | 100% |
| Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple Kottayam | Primary | 100% |
| Guruvayur Temple Guruvayur | Primary | 100% |
| Kundankuzhi Mahadevar Temple Nagercoil | Primary | 100% |
| Mattancherry Palace Kochi | Primary | 100% |
| Padmanabhapuram Palace Kanyakumari | Primary | 100% |
| Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Thiruvananthapuram | Primary | 100% |
| Vadakkunnathan Temple Thrissur | Primary | 100% |
| Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple Dharmasthala | Secondary | 100% |
| Hill Palace Tripunithura | Secondary | 100% |
| Palakkad Fort Palakkad | Secondary | 100% |
| Sringeri Sharadamba Temple Sringeri | Secondary | 100% |
| St. Angelo Fort Kannur | Secondary | 100% |