Kerala - Kochi   

Volume on Guruvayur temple

— Photo: Thulasi Kakkat

LABOUR OF LOVE: Mallissery Parameswaran Namboothiripad, Ooralan of Guruvayur temple, releasing Pepita Seth’s book on the Guruvayur temple, in Kochi on Wednesday.

KOCHI: British writer and photographer Pepita Seth’s book Heaven on Earth: The Universe of Kerala’s Guruvayur Temple was released here on Wednesday evening by Brahmasree Mallissery Parameswaran Namboothiripad, the Ooralan of Guruvayur Temple.

Releasing the book, he said that the British writer and photographer was a known face in and around Guruvayur. But till recently, the sight of her carrying a camera and moving around places that are normally inaccessible to the public used to raise many eyebrows. But her presence in those places at those times spoke of her devotion to the subject, he said.

The book, says the publisher, takes the reader into the heart of the complex universe around the temple.

It does not just chronicle the myth and history associated with the temple, but delves into the rituals and beliefs, the festival and arts performed there and also the elephants attached to the temple. Replying to the accolades, Ms. Seth said that the book would not have been possible had it not been for the support of the locals. They were always there to share their wisdom and knowledge.

The book was a result of seven years’ research, supported with some excellent photographs. Ms. Seth love for the land started with a chance encounter with the 1857 diary of her soldier great grandfather.

She first came to India in 1970. She returned a couple of years later.

Since then, she has been coming down frequently. And in 1981, she was given official permission to enter Kerala’s temples – including Guruvayur temple.

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