ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Architecture of Kerala

Kerala is a place in India where people live in different types of buildings called "architecture". Kerala's architecture is very special, and it looks different from other places in India.

One of the reasons for this is because Kerala has a lot of forests and wood is used to build many of the houses. The wood used in Kerala is mostly teak, rosewood, and jackfruit wood.

Kerala's architecture is also influenced by the weather. Kerala has a lot of rain, so the houses in Kerala are built in such a way that the rainwater falls on the roof and runs down into a gutter. The gutter is connected to a pipe that takes the water away from the house.

The houses in Kerala are often built around a courtyard or open space. This space is called a "nadumuttam." The nadumuttam is used for things like playing games, cooking, and drying clothes.

The roofs of the houses in Kerala are also different. They are usually sloping roofs made of clay tiles. This style of roof is called "Mangalorean tile roof." The roofs are sloping so that rainwater can run off easily.

Kerala's architecture is also influenced by religion. There are many temples in Kerala, and the temples have a unique style of architecture. The temples in Kerala are often very colorful, and they have a lot of carvings and sculptures.

In summary, Kerala's architecture is special because it is influenced by the weather, the environment, and religion. It uses a lot of wood and has sloping roofs to deal with the rain. Houses are built around a courtyard called a nadumuttam, and there are many colorful temples with carvings and sculptures.