This place of worship stands as a testament to the unwavering faith of its creator, 73-year-old Sivadasan Pillai, in the Constitution.
Published Aug 15, 2024 | 12:00 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 15, 2024 | 12:00 PM
A temple for Constitution in Kerala
As the nation unfurls the tricolour and honours the sacrifices of its freedom fighters on the 78th Independence Day, a small yet profoundly significant temple in Kerala’s capital city, Thiruvananthapuram, will mark a unique milestone.
Tucked away in the serene locality of Kudapanakkunnu, this temple isn’t dedicated to any deity or religious figure. Instead, it is a shrine to India’s most sacred text —the Constitution of India.
This extraordinary place of worship stands as a testament to the unwavering faith of its creator, Sivadasan Pillai, a 73-year-old retired teacher, in the Constitution.
For him, the Constitution is more than a legal document; it is a sacred text. With the reverence typically reserved for religious scriptures, he has crafted a space where citizens can connect with the very foundation of their nation.
Upon entering the temple’s tranquil premises, visitors are greeted by a mirror bearing one of the profound Mahavakyas (great utterances) from the Upanishads—Tat Tvam Asi (You Are That)—a philosophical reminder of the unity between the individual and the universal.
In the temple’s sanctum sanctorum, the Constitution rests in a miniature temple-like structure, accompanied by a lit lamp and offerings of flowers, symbolising reverence and respect.
The Constitution of India being kept in a temple like frame structure
Pillai envisions this temple as a catalyst for civic awareness. He believes that by treating the Constitution with the same devotion accorded to religious texts, people will be inspired to delve deeper into their rights and responsibilities.
“Just as one seeks answers from religious scriptures, the Constitution holds the key to understanding our nation and its governance,” he asserts.
“It holds answers to the questions of life and governance. This temple is a space where citizens can understand their rights and find the courage to question authority, when necessary,” he told South First.
In a novel attempt to foster civic awareness and constitutional literacy, Pillai has transformed the two rooms of his ‘temple’ into an interactive learning space.
The first, adorned with the preamble of the Indian Constitution on its door, opens into a recreational area where one can engage in a game of carroms.
One of the rooms of the temple
The second room, a tribute to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, showcases a collection of his photographs taken at various stages of his life.
The door to this room carries a unique sticker proclaiming, “Constitution should bring prosperity to the land as well as to the house,”—a thoughtful twist on the traditional blessing often seen in homes across the state, ‘XXX (this deity) bring prosperity to this home.’
Another room of the temple
Inside, the room is filled with working models and images of prominent personalities, aimed at nurturing a scientific temper and spirit of inquiry, echoing the Fundamental Duties enshrined in Article 51A of the Constitution.
“I am not here to impose the ideals of the Constitution,” says Pillai. “My goal is to spark an interest in this living document, our Magna Carta for socio-economic transformation.”
He believes that the carefully curated space invites visitors to reflect on the Constitution’s role in shaping a prosperous and enlightened society.
The spark to create this temple, according to Pillai, should be given to a local journalist when he suggested that every home should bear the inscription, “Constitution brings prosperity to this house.”
Inspired by this thought, Pillai decided to build a temple for the Constitution, which was inaugurated on the Independence day on 2021.
With three cents of land near his home and fuelled by his pension, Pillai brought his vision to life, believing deeply in the power of the Constitution as a guiding light.
“In these four years, I believe I’ve inspired others to embrace the Constitution and understand its essence,” he shared.
Pillai’s dedication also led him to register the temple as a society—Congregation for Human Fraternity—aimed at bringing more people together to honour and uphold the document that has not only strengthened India’s parliamentary democracy but also stood the test of time.
Logo of the society
In a bid to bring the ideals of the Constitution to a broader audience, especially the youth, Pillai is set to launch a new initiative focused on “Constitutionalism.”
He expressed hope that this new thought will soon take shape, emphasising the importance of engaging the younger generation.
To achieve this, Pillai plans to launch a YouTube channel dedicated to spreading these ideals through creative content, including reels. “I am in search of talented youngsters to help spread the message through reels,” Pillai stated, adding that he is currently working on the script for this project.
Before signing off, South First, out of curiosity asked the septuagenarian, is there any favourite phrase or part in the Constitution? He then revealed his deep admiration for the phrase “We, the People of India.”
This powerful phrase, embedded in the Preamble, symbolises the sovereignty and authority vested in the people of India.
Pillai emphasised that the Constitution is not merely a compilation of borrowed provisions from other nations, but a meticulously crafted document that integrates diverse perspectives to suit India’s unique context.
He asserted that understanding the Constitution dispels the misconception that it is a mindless imitation of foreign practices, highlighting the thoughtful adaptation and deliberation by those who shaped it.
(Edited by Neena)
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