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Home > Temples of Kerala > Shrines of Minor Deities Shrines of Minor DeitiesIt is not a must that all temples should have sub-shrines of other deities. However, in most temples, Ganapathi, being Vighneswara, is installed. Of late, if space permits and depending on the initiative of the management and the devotees, sub-shrines of number of deities are installed within a temple complex. However, certain principles have to be specifIcally followed in respect of the position and facing of sub-deities in temples. In Siva temples Parvathi may be installed or worshipped at the rear of the sreekovil or on the side of the Lord. In all other cases the sub-shrines are positioned parallel to the principal deity or "in front or rear of the temple. If it is on the same line of the principal deity, or at the rear, the deities of sub-shrine have to face the same direction as that of the principal deity. On the other hand, if the sub-shrines are at the front of the principal deity, the deities of sub-shrines have to face in the opposite direction ofthe principal deity. (ie if the principal deity faces east subsidiary deities have to face west). However, it has been noticed that in certain temples this principle is violated either due to ignorance or due to special circumstances. The cardinal principle is that importance has to be given to the principal deity and installation of sub-shrines is related to the positioning of the principal deity. Although sub-deities are important or sometimes even superior to the main deity they have only a subsidiary role in the prathishta-karma relating to that temple. These sub-shr:ines generally do not have any separate bali-peethas of ashta-dik-paalakas, unless the sub shrine is also equally important. There are temples where separate sanctum-sanctorum for each Devatha (in case both equally important) is built within the akatthe-balivattam. In such cases all these shrines may have separate bali-peethas and namaskaara-mandapas.
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