Puttara is a Malayalam word for a platform where flowers are kept. It is a seven-tired platform and located in the south-west corner of every kalari

Kalari

The word Kalari means battle ground in Tamil and translates as "threshing floor" or "battlefield" in Malayalam. Training for Kalarippayattu, a martial art of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, is traditionally done inside the Kalari....

. Here is where the guardian deity

Deity

A deity is a recognized preternatural or supernatural immortal being, who may be thought of as holy, divine, or sacred, held in high regard, and respected by believers....

is located. Flowers, incense and water is given to the deity every day. Before each person starts practicing, they pray to the deity. Not only is the kalari a temple of learning, it is also a temple of religious worship.