The bell is rung with a sandalwood mallet. Ironically, though scriptures require these, they have not been part of any temple for hundreds of years. The first time they are left unguarded, thieves take them off their hinges. So, long ago temples stopped making them. The eight lion pillars are special, since a ball is carved inside the lion's mouth.
Pilgrims can reach in to twist and turn the ball.
Iraivan's are more elaborate than shown here. Both will preserve the philosophy, people and culture that gave life to the temple, to be opened 1,000 years from now to inspire and inform generations yet to be born.