Idols are made according to the Dhyana Slokams. Apart from the normal daily worship rituals for propitiating the deities, there are many Thaanthrik rituals aiming at increasing the glory and power of the deities and sometimes for atonement for any fading of such power.Sreekovil or Sanctum SanctorumThe part of the temple where the idol of the Lord is situated is referred to as the Sreekovil. Position of Sreekovil in the temple is equivalent to the position of Sahasrara Padmam in a human body.Sreekovil is in rectangular shape and have one storied roof covered with roof tiles. The Sreekovil has only one wall and it is of Nirandhara style.
The top of the sanctum has a pointed Panchaloha structure called Tazhikakkudam or sthoopika.SopanamThe holy steps in front of the sanctum sanctorum is called Sopanam. In Neervilakom Ayyappa temple the sopanam has stone idols of guards of the God called as Dwarapalakas. Sopanam is made up of rock. Only temple priests are allowed to enter through this holy steps.Pradakshinavattam or Akathe balivattamIt is located just outside the sanctum. The Ashta-Dik-paalakas (Indra, Agni, Yama, Nruryathi, Varuna, Vaayu, Soma and Isaana), Saptha Mathrukkal (Brahmani, Maheswari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani and Chamundi) , Veerabhadra, Ganapathy, Anantha, Durga, Subrahmanya, Kubera, Nirmalyadhari and Brahma the guards of the main deity are represented here by using stones of different shapes and are generally called Balikkallu.
These balikkallus are covered with bronze sheets.MathrusalaMathrusala is located near the Sreekovil. It is an extended portion of Nalambalam towards Sreekovil to cover the Saptha Mathru balikkal. Hence the name Mathrusala. Usually the Utsavabali ritual is performed in the Mathrusala.Namaskara MandapamNamaskara Mandapam is located in front of the sopanam facing the sanctum. It is used by the priests for Sashtanga Namaskara after poojas like Usha pooja, Pantheeradi pooja and Ucha pooja. Hence the name Namaskaramanadapam. It is square in shape and has a roof that stand on four pillars and has a Tazhikakkudam made of Panchaloha. Usually Veda Japam and Kalasha Pooja is done at the Namaskara Mandapam and so it is also called Kalasha Mandapam.Nalambalam Nalambalam is also called chuttambalam.
Their function is to protect the temple as they cover the temple on all sides. They are less broad on the surrounding three sides and are called chuttambalam. Between Nalambalam there is a passage for devotees to enter and exit.ThidappallyThidappally is the kitchen of a temple. Thidappally is constructed to the left side of the Namaskara Mandapam as an enclosure in the south eastern corner of the Nalambalam.
Nivedyams to be offered to the deity is prepared in the Thidappally. None other than the priests and Tantri of the temple is allowed inside the Thidappally.MulayaraMulayara is a special room of the chuttambalam and is used for Mulapooja on special days like Utsavam, Sahasra Kalasam and Ashtabandha Kalasam.Well Its position is at the North-East, of the Nalambalam.
Its water has to be exclusively used for abhisheka or preparation of nivedya.ChuttuvilakkuA distictive feature of Neervilakom Temple is Chuttuvilakku, or the multi-tiered brass lamps in front of temples. It is a spectacular celebration of traditional lighting where tiers of small oil lamps lining the outer walls of the inner prakaram are lit. It is located outside the Nalambalam.