| Title | Kerala architecture styleUncommon |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| Also Known As | Dravidian architecture style Vijayanagara architecture style Kadamba architecture style Dravidian Architecture Kerala Architecture Later Cholas Vijayanagara Empire Hoysala Architecture influences (minor) Kadamba Architecture influences (minor) Kalinga architecture style Traditional Hindu Temple architecture style Kalinga Architecture Influences Vastu Shastra Traditional Hindu Temple Architecture South Indian Temple Style Pandyan Architectural Elements Hindu Temple architecture style Chola Dynasty Influences Pandya Dynasty Influences Chera Dynasty Influences Military Laterite stone for coastal defense Nava Kerala Architecture Later Chera Architecture Vijayanagara Architecture Keralan Architecture Dravidian Sloping roofs ornate carvings Koothambalam Style Chera Style Silpa Shastras temple gopuram towers. Hoysala Architecture Panchayatana Style (though not strictly adhered to) Gajaprishta (Elephant-back) roof elements Mantapa Architecture (specifically for the various halls pavilions) Traditional Tulunadu Architecture Elements of South Indian Temple Architecture gopuram. Traditional Vernacular materials sloped roofs. Traditional Keralan Residential Architecture Nālukettu Style Ettukettu Style Pathinarukettu Style Influence of Western Architecture (specifically Dutch Portuguese colonial styles) Temple Sloping pyramidal tower. Pandya Architecture Nayaka Architecture Chola influences (possibly indirect) Local vernacular traditions of Kanyakumari district Possible Pallava influences in some decorative elements South Indian temple architecture (general) Elements of Agama Shastras in temple layout Vernacular Wood Laterite Slope West Asian Influences Dutch Colonial Influences European Influences laterite granite Nayaka Style Tamil Nadu Temple Architecture Wood Architecture Traditions of Kerala Influence of Local Artisans Craftsmen Elements of Fortress Architecture Traditional Keralite Domestic Architecture Kerala architecture Laterite walls moat Laterite Masonry Tradition Mughal Architectural Influences British Colonial Military Architecture West Coast Fortification Style Elements of Vijayanagara Military Architecture Sloping roof Kalinga Architecture Chola Architecture Mughal Architecture (minor influence in later additions) Dravida intricate carvings. Chalukya Architecture Badami Chalukya influences Indo-Portuguese Military Fusion of European Indian elements. Laterite masonry traditions of coastal Karnataka Vijayanagara military architecture Elements of Islamic architecture (influenced by later additions) West Asian Fortification styles (introduced by Europeans) Portuguese colonial architecture British colonial architecture Kerala Dravidian Koothambalam Design Later Chola influences (possible given their historical presence in the region) |
| 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-STY-5969630934-14:13:53:29:08:24:KAS |
| URI | https://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/styles/kerala-architecture-style |
| API Endpoint | https://inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/kerala-architecture-style |
| Total Sites | 17 |
| Primary Sites | 12 |
| Created | November 19, 2025 |
| Last Updated | November 29, 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 | |
|---|---|
| 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% |