National Reading Day: Know about the temple where books are worshipped, offered as prayer and received as prasada

KANNUR: Books are worshipped as God in this temple. The devotees are readers. The prayers and the prasada are books. The temple is located in the hilly region of Prapoyil, where knowledge is worshipped. Known as the Navapuram Secular Temple, two festivals are held here every year. Hundreds of readers offer books as offerings. The temple is located on a hilltop. Those who arrive there are welcomed by the world of books and reading. The temple was established in 2021.

The founder of the temple, Prapoyil Narayanan, said that the motivation for this was the realization that knowledge is the basis of everything. “Books are the embodiment of knowledge. That is why a book itself was consecrated,” he said.

Festivals held twice a year

Festivals are held in the months of April and October. The rituals and practices include book discussions, debates, reading, writers' gatherings, and art and literary programs. There is a facility for writing and reading, as well as accommodation. Everything is free. More than eight thousand books have been collected so far. Books are received daily and given to other devotees.