Julia Dalalba
Oxford Centre for Mission Studies, UK
jvidal@alumni.ocms.ac.uk / julia@dalalba.com
Introduction
According to a longstanding oral tradition, St Thomas the Apostle reached the Malabar Coast of India in the 1st Century to preach the Gospel, and the myth says he founded ‘seven and a half churches’. Although we know very little about these original churches, and local scholars such as the historian M. Kurian Thomas and the architect Anupa Alex have argued that St Thomas founded congregations rather than church buildings, his image as both preacher and architect has endured. Indian historian George Menachery supported this vision, identifying St Thomas as an architect. Though it remains unclear whether St Thomas actually constructed any of these seven original churches, his image is depicted in many churches across Southwest India holding architectural plans and a māṭṭam—a traditional instrument of measurement used by local architects and carpenters.
Research body
Despite the symbolic association of St Thomas with architecture, very little academic attention has been paid to the architectural grammar or spiritual intentionality of these early churches. The prevailing assumption that sacred architecture in Kerala is either colonially inherited or Hinduised has overshadowed the possibility that a deeper, vernacular architectural wisdom—such as that of Vāstu-śāstra—might have played a role in shaping Christian church architecture. This gap becomes even more striking when considering that Christian communities in Kerala might have long participated in the cultural, artistic, and metaphysical traditions of their Hindu neighbours, as suggested by local scholars such as historian G. Menachery, civil engineer and priest T. George, architect Sunil Edward and Vāstu-śāstra expert Kanippayyur Krishnan Namboodiripad. While three of them clearly noted the use of Vāstu-śāstra in ancient church architecture, and Vāstu-vidyā literature points to the numerous benefits of creating sacred spaces for holistic health and well-being, there was no empirical research on its impact on spiritual well-being.
To address this gap, my research examines how the Vedic architectural wisdom of Vāstu-śāstra has been applied in three pre-colonial churches of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church: Arappally, Kallooppara Pally and Karthikappally Cathedral. They represent three building typologies: a chapel, a church, and a cathedral. Located on the Malabar Coast and historically linked to the legacy of St Thomas, they offer a unique case for exploring whether Vāstu-śāstra can serve not only as a system of space planning but also as a vehicle for Christian spiritual well-being. This study asks: To what extent can Vāstu-śāstra provide for spiritual well-being, based on the example of three St Thomas churches on the Malabar Coast? And, how is Vāstu-śāstra applied to these churches?
Methods
This research is part of my doctoral thesis. It explores the transcendental role of Vāstu-śāstra in sacred architecture, examining how Vāstu principles are applied in these churches and whether people experience spiritual well-being within their spaces. Employing a mixed-methods empirical approach within a transpersonal framework, the study follows the method of intuitive inquiry developed by transpersonal psychologist Rosemary Anderson, followed by a hermeneutical cycle. The primary data are gathered through a triangulated design formed by six interviews with local Vāstu experts and priests, architectural analysis of the three churches, participant observation, and 482 surveys to laypersons. The survey integrates qualitative insights with a quantitative assessment of spiritual well-being using John Fisher’s ‘SHALOM SWBQ’ questionnaire.
Findings
The findings reveal that the three pre-colonial churches embody core principles of Vāstu-śāstra, including the careful selection of sites aligned with the cardinal directions, the sun (prāṇikorja) and the earth’s energy (jaivikōrja), the balancing of static and dynamic energy through orientation, geometrical form, mathematical proportions, natural materials, the five main elements present in nature with their functions, and the aesthetics of vernacular sacred architecture. Empirical data from surveys and participant observation indicate that the atmosphere and spatial configuration of these churches support their spiritual well-being, helping them feel closer to God. Reports showed a sense of peace, joy, prayerful focus, feelings of God’s presence and a spiritual ambience, while many also reported experiences of healing and answers to prayer.
These experiential outcomes closely align with the benefits described in the Vāstu-vidyā literature, where harmonious, auspicious environments are said to raise energy and consciousness, promoting health and well-being on the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. This alignment confirms that Vāstu-śāstra’s architectural principles can nurture spiritual well-being within Christian sacred spaces, responding to the transcendental needs that believers themselves identify as central to their spiritual life in SHALOM SWBQ.
References
- Alex, Anupa Elizba, Harshada Bapat, and Keyur Khorasia.
- Architecture: Space, Issues and Material. Ahmedabad: CEPT University Press, 2013.
- Edward, Sunil.
- In Search of the Original Architectural Form of Pre-Portuguese Kerala Indigenous Church Building: Case Study of Thiruvithamcode Church. Roorkee: Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, 2005.
- Fisher, John W.
- “Selecting the Best Version of SHALOM to Assess Spiritual Well-Being.” Religions 7, no. 5 (2016): 45.
- George, Thomas.
- Theology in the Architecture of Ancient Churches in Kerala: Re-presents the Philosophic, Art and Aesthetic Dimensions Focusing Vāstu Vidyā in Indian Cultural Traditions. New Delhi: Christian World Imprints, 2018.
- Kurian Thomas, Meledath.
- The Way of St Thomas: A Brief History of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. 1st ed. Kottayam: Malankara Orthodox Church Publications, 2012.
- Menachery, George.
- Facets of India’s Christian Legacy. Chennai: Notion Press, 2018.
- Vidal Álvarez, Julia.
- Vāstu-śāstra for Spiritual Well-being in St Thomas Ancient Church Architecture of the Malabar Coast. PhD diss., Oxford Centre for Mission Studies–Middlesex University, 2024. Published as Julia Dalalba.
