Situated in Murukkumpuzha, Thiruvananthapuram district, the Sree Kalakanteswara Temple initially housed a Bhadrakali consecration. While the local villagers wished for Shiva to be the principal deity, Narayana Guru, in a visionary act, consecrated a distinctive ‘panchaloha’ (five-metal) ‘Prabha’ (Halo or Aura). This ‘Prabha’ uniquely features the syllable 'Om' at its core, inscribed with the foundational human virtues of 'Satyam, Dharmam, Daya, Shanthi' (Truth, Righteousness, Compassion, Peace). Through this, Guru conveyed a profound new theological perspective: by consecrating abstract symbols or forms of the divine, he illustrated that devotion to God is attainable through any conceptualization. Later, following Guru's specific instructions, Bodhananda Swami then consecrated idols of Shiva, Ganapathi, Bala Subrahmanyan, and Devi to the left of this central ‘Prabha’.
In June 1927, Narayana Guru performed the unique Mirror Consecration at the Kunnel Temple in Kalavancode, near Cherthala in the Alappuzha district. This temple, known locally as Kunnel Devi Temple, was a family-owned shrine where, despite a lack of formal worship or rituals, the practice of animal sacrifice persisted. Eager for change, the local community approached the Guru, earnestly requesting him to initiate Sattvik (pure) worship there. They proceeded to construct new idols and invited the Guru for the consecration ceremony.
However, the Guru's decision to perform an idol consecration was met with displeasure by followers of the Sahodara Prasthanam (Brotherhood Movement), which held strong influence in Cherthala and surrounding areas. Undeterred, the Guru arrived with Bodhananda Swami and requested a high-quality mirror. At precisely 4 am, he installed this mirror behind the pedestal prepared for the deity. Concurrently, Bodhananda Swami consecrated idols of Ardhanariswara, Subrahmanyan, and Ganapathi. This Mirror Consecration marked a profound evolution, demonstrating the Guru's journey from traditional stone idols to symbolic consecrations, revealing him as a relentless truth-seeker. It imbued his consecrations with a timeless brilliance.
The Kalavancode consecration also signaled a retreat for the Guru from the sphere of temple consecrations. With this act, he concluded that the pressing need of the hour was the establishment of schools, rather than more places of worship.
