Heritage

The Vyala is one of the most powerful figures in South Indian temple architecture. Usually imagined as a composite mythical creature with leonine strength and other animal features, it appears across temple pillars, gateways and sculptural panels as a symbol of protection, royal authority and sacred energy. At Hazara Rama Temple, the new discovery is important because it suggests that such figures were not merely part of wall reliefs or mural-like sculptural programmes, but may also have been carved and installed near major architectural points such as the temple entrance.

The name Thirunakkara is connected to Nakkara Kunnu, the sacred hill on which the temple stands. Kerala Tourism notes that the temple is located on Thirunakkara Hill, locally known as Nakkara Kunnu. This elevated position adds to the temple’s atmosphere. Even though modern Kottayam has grown around it with roads, shops, traffic and civic activity, the temple still preserves the old feeling of a hill shrine placed above the daily movement of the town.