Shrikovil is the main part of the temple architecture. It is an enclosed structure (central shrine or altar) where the main deity is installed.
The shape of the shrikovil varies from square, rectangular, circular and elliptical to apsidal. Usually the shrikovil of Devi temples are square-shaped while that of Shiva temples are circular. The shrikovil is the same as garbhagriha.
In Kerala, the shrikovil usually stands in east-west axis. Most of them have only one door. No electric lights are used inside and only lights lit out of natural oils are used. The holy water after abhishekam is let out of the shrikovil through a passage on the right side. The shrikovil is surrounded by the chuttambalam.
Namaskara Mandapam is built in front of the shrikovil.
