Navapuram Temple: Where Knowledge is Divine

Context:

This analysis explores the unique Navapuram Mathaatheetha Devaalayam temple in Prapoyil, Kerala, where books are revered as sacred objects of worship. The article highlights the temple’s inclusive ethos and its celebration of knowledge, offering insights into cultural heritage and social harmony as of March 23, 2025.

1. Unique Worship: Navapuram Mathaatheetha Devaalayam in Prapoyil, Kerala, is a temple where books—rather than traditional idols—are worshipped, symbolizing knowledge as divine.
2. Historical Origin: Founded in 1982 by Kunji Chathu Nair, a devotee of Goddess Saraswati, the temple emerged from his vision to honor learning, following a dream-inspired directive.
3. Inclusivity: Unlike typical temples, it welcomes people of all faiths and castes, reflecting Kerala’s egalitarian traditions and fostering interfaith harmony.
4. Daily Rituals: Books are adorned with sandalwood paste and flowers, and verses from texts like the Bible, Quran, and Bhagavad Gita are chanted, blending diverse spiritual traditions.
5. Library Feature: The temple houses a small library of donated books, reinforcing its mission to promote literacy and intellectual growth alongside devotion.
6. Cultural Significance: It draws parallels with historical centers of learning like Taxila and Nalanda, emphasizing India’s legacy of valuing knowledge as sacred.
7. Community Impact: Attracts scholars, students, and devotees, serving as a living testament to unity in diversity and the power of education in rural Kerala.
8. Symbolic Architecture: Lacks a conventional sanctum; instead, books are placed on a pedestal, highlighting their elevated status over physical deities.

Key Terms:

• Navapuram Temple: A Kerala temple where books are worshipped as divine entities.
• Saraswati: Hindu goddess of knowledge, inspiring the temple’s foundation.
• Interfaith Harmony: Coexistence and mutual respect among different religions, embodied by the temple.
• Mathaatheetha Devaalayam: Name meaning “temple beyond religion,” reflecting its inclusive ethos.
• Prapoyil: Village in Kerala hosting this unique book-worshipping temple.
• Literacy Promotion: Encouragement of reading and learning, a core temple objective.
• Cultural Heritage: Traditions and practices preserving India’s historical reverence for knowledge.

Link To The Original Article – https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/where-book-is-worshipped/article69334360.ece