District: Thrissur
Highlights:
Vadakkumnathan Temple is one of the largest and ancient Shiva temples, situated in Thrissur district of Kerala. Also known as Thenkailasam and Vrishabhachalam, the temple stands majestically on an elevated hillock right in the centre of the city. The temple attracts thousands of devotees every day. Hindu traditions say that the temple was built by Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the legend creator of Kerala. Thrissur pooram, which is celebrated here every year in the month of Medam (mid-April to mid-may), witness millions of devotees from all over the land.
Vadakkunnathan temple is surrounded by a massive stone wall enclosing an area of nearly 9 acres. Inside this fortification, there are four gopurams each facing north, south, east and west directions.The pillars are arranged in an interesting manner. Immediately to the left of the entrance is the theatre hall called ‘Kuttambalam'. It is a remarkably beautiful structure with elegant sloping roof of copper plates. Within this is staged the ancient dramatic art form of ‘Chakyar Kuttu'. Apart from these four gopurams, there is a multi-shrined complex in the centre with three principal shrines dedicated to Shiva as Vadakkunnathan, Shankaranarayana and Rama.
Vadakkumnathan Temple is one of the largest and ancient Shiva temples, situated in Thrissur district of Kerala. Also known as Thenkailasam and Vrishabhachalam, the temple stands majestically on an elevated hillock right in the centre of the city. The temple attracts thousands of devotees every day. Hindu traditions say that the temple was built by Parasurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the legend creator of Kerala. Thrissur pooram, which is celebrated here every year in the month of Medam (mid-April to mid-may), witness millions of devotees from all over the land.
Vadakkunnathan temple is surrounded by a massive stone wall enclosing an area of nearly 9 acres. Inside this fortification, there are four gopurams each facing north, south, east and west directions.The pillars are arranged in an interesting manner. Immediately to the left of the entrance is the theatre hall called ‘Kuttambalam'. It is a remarkably beautiful structure with elegant sloping roof of copper plates. Within this is staged the ancient dramatic art form of ‘Chakyar Kuttu'. Apart from these four gopurams, there is a multi-shrined complex in the centre with three principal shrines dedicated to Shiva as Vadakkunnathan, Shankaranarayana and Rama.
The ‘Sanctum' of the main shrine has a huge ‘Linga' of Shiva. This however,
cannot be seen as it is covered by the traditional ‘Abhishekams' with ghee by
devotees over the centuries. Over the Linga, generations of devotees have
poured ghee by way of offering, which is never removed, has solidified into a
pyramid.
The Harihara shrine, popularly called here as Shankaranarayana temple, is
next to the main Shiva temple. This is also circular in plan and the tower has
two tiers. On the other side is the shrine for Vishnu, is also similar to that
of Harihara shrine. In addition, there are subsidiary shrines for Ganapathi,
Dharma Shasta and also for Parasurama, of the very few of its kind in Kerala.
The temple of Vadakkunathan is noted for its grand annual Pooram festival
in Medam (April-May) which attracts a large number of visitors and tourists
from far and wide. A procession fo richly caparisoned elephants and magnificent
display of fireworks mark the occasion.
Thrissur has several other shrines which includes Paramekkavu Kshetram,
Bhagavathi temple and Thiruvembadi temple.
Access:
- Airport: Kochi International Airport, 85 Km
- Railway station: Thrissur station, 6 Km
- Road: well connected road
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