The Story Of A Temple Like No Other In Kannur, Where Books Are Worshipped (Image: X/Echoesofpast)

In Prapoyil village nestled near Cherupuzha in the Kannur district of Kerala, stands a unique temple. Known as the Navapuram Mathaatheetha Devaalayam or the Secular House of God, this extraordinary place of worship where the deity is not a statue of a god or goddess, but a sculpted image of a book.

Here, knowledge is revered as divine, and books themselves are offered in devotion. The Navapuram Mathaatheetha Devaalayam opened its doors to the public on March 4, 2021, with the installation of the temple’s deity, a concrete sculpture of a book, which was completed later that year in October.

Where a book is worshipped

Imagine a temple where the deity is a book and offerings are also made by devotees, not in money, flowers or objects but books.

The unique temple which considers knowledge as divine is at Kannur in North Kerala perched atop a prominent rock formation.… pic.twitter.com/SFXFQqIjV2

— Echoes of Past (@EchoesofpastX) March 23, 2025

The sculptor, Santhosh Manasam from Kamballor village in Kasaragod, crafted the book idol with incredible detail and reverence.

Unlike traditional temples, this place of worship has no priests or offerings of money. Devotees visiting the temple are encouraged to offer books instead of flowers or cash.

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In return, the prasadam, the sacred offering, is another book. The temple is open to people of all religions and castes, creating a space where knowledge is the unifying force.

The temple complex, which spans two acres, is located amidst lush greenery, enhancing the tranquil atmosphere.

As visitors step through the entrance, they are greeted by an impressive library housing over 5,000 books. The walls of the entrance hall are adorned with sculptures that tell stories of Kerala’s rich culture and literary heritage.

Among them are depictions of Cherusseri, the renowned poet from north Malabar who wrote the Malayalam epic Krishnagadha, and Sri Buddha, both symbols of wisdom. A stone lamp, another symbol of knowledge, is also prominently displayed.

As visitors make their way through the entrance hall, they ascend a set of stone steps that lead to the temple’s main deity.

The idol—a massive, concrete book—is perched atop a 30-foot-high natural stone. Etched on its pages are three powerful statements: “God is knowledge. Religion is broad thinking. Humble wisdom is the path.”

The creation of this temple is the culmination of a lifelong dream for Prapoyil Narayanan, a man whose life has been intertwined with literature and education.

Narayanan, the only son of Kokkodan Raman, a landlord who passed away when he was just nine, inherited only two acres of land. At the age of 15, he took on the responsibility of supporting his family.

It was during his early twenties that he conceived the idea of a temple dedicated to books and knowledge and began saving for it.

A prolific writer, Narayanan has authored 26 books and has contributed many articles to periodicals. He holds postgraduate degrees in five subjects and is currently pursuing an MA in English literature.

His passion for education led him to establish a parallel college in Cherupuzha, which offers degree and postgraduate courses in subjects like politics, sociology, history, and philosophy.

With the income from his college, Narayanan was able to save enough to fund his dream project, although it has come at a significant personal cost.

So far, he has spent over ₹7.6 crore on the land development, sculptures, cottages, and the annual cultural festivals held at the temple. Despite receiving some donations, these funds still cover only a fraction of the expenses.

The temple is not only a spiritual destination but also a cultural hub. It hosts two major festivals annually—one in April and another during the Puja holidays—where literary debates, classical and folk-dance performances, book releases, seminars, and dramatic performances are held. During these festivals, awards are presented to writers in four Dravidian languages.

Narayanan’s ultimate goal is to turn the temple into a self-sustaining institution. He envisions it as a place where writers can come and stay in cottages called Ezhuthupura (a cottage for writing) and immerse themselves in their craft. Currently, three of these cottages are complete, with plans for a total of 10.

Now, it is a space where anyone, regardless of their background or faith, can seek divine wisdom through the sacred offering of books.

In every corner of the temple, the belief that “God is knowledge” is vividly brought to life. For Prapoyil Narayanan, this temple is the culmination of a dream he nurtured for 35 years.