ABOUT VADAKKUNNATHAN TEMPLE :-

The vadakkunnathan temple is an ancient hindu temple which is situated in thrissur district of kerala . This temple is dedicated to lord shiva .this temple is the examnple of classical style of architecture of kerala .
There are four monumental tower which lies in the four corner of temple in addition to a koothambalam .many paintings describing some sences of mahabharat can be seen inside the temple .the temple with ,those mural paintings are declared as national monument under the amasr act.
According to local people this is the first temple built by parashurama , sixth avatar of vishnu.
Archaeological survey if india (asi) has recommended 14 sites including vadakkunnathan temple of kerala , to include those in the list of unesco world heritage sites .the temple is the first one among the 108 shiva temples in kerala , it is established by parashurama and is mentioned in shiva temple stotra as shrimad-dakshina kailasam, means mt. Kailash of the south.

HISTORY OF VADDAKUNNATHAN TEMPLE:-

The temple was build at the time of perumthachan from parayi petta panthirukulam.it is said perumthachan lived during second century ,then the koothambalam may be more than 1600 years old.according to the historian v.v.k.valath ,this temple was a pre -dravidian kavu (shrine).a new temple was built outside and the idol of goddess was moved to that location.

According to temple documents , , koodalmanikyam temple, kodungallur bhagavathy temple and ammathiruvadi temple, urakam are older than vadakkunnathan temple .some said that they also have been influenced buddhist and jain temples

INVASION OF TIPU SULTAN

Duringthe session of tipu sultan , the temple was not attacked by tipu sultans army. At that time tipu sultan destroyed many temples in thrissur district but never touched the historical temple vadakkunnthan temple .according to some historical accounts ,when tipu sultan was marching towards travancore lines which are locally known as nedumkotta , he had a short stay at thrissur district from 14 to 29 december .in order to feed their army ,tipu borrowed cooking vessels from the temple .before leaving thirssur district ,he not only returned those vessels as well as he presented the temple with a large bronze lamp.

SAKTHAN THAMPURAN:

He ascended the throne of kingdom of cochin ,and changed the capital of kingdom of cochin from tripunithura to thrissuras the king had a personal attachment with vadakkunnathan temple .after some time he cleared the teak forest around the temple and a famous festival thrissur pooram festival introduced by him. The personal intrest of king in the temple  changed the fortune of the city.

ARCHITECTURE OF VADAKKUNNATHAN TEMPLE :

The temple is situated in the high alttude area of the trissur city on an elevated hillock in the centre of city and an area of nearly 9 acres is surrounding by the stone walls .inside the temple ,there are four gopurams facing four cardinal directions .there is a spacious compound between the inner and the outer walls ,the entrance to which is through gopurams .

The south and north gopuram are not open for public. Public is only permitted to enter from the east and the west gopuram.the inner temple is separated from outer temple by a board circular granite wall that board corridor called chuttambalam.

FESTIVALS

The main festival of vadakkunnathan temple is maha shivaratri . Many cultural and musical programmes are held in the temple compound. Durind the festival around one lakh lamps are lighted .on this festival , the lingam is countiniously abhishekam with ghee and tender coconut. The temple is completely opened on that day and not clossed at night and a special poojas with abhishekam will be held.

VADAKKUNNTHAN TEMPLE ,THRISSUR ,KERALA

LOCALITY / VILLAGE :THRISSUR

STATE: KERALA

COUNTRY: INDIA

BEST SEASON TO VISITS: ALL

PHOTOGRAPHY : NOT ALLOWED

TEMPLE TIMING :

 Frequently Asked Question: (F.A.Qs)

Question 1.  How many years old is vadakkunnthan temple ?

Answer1.    It is 1200 years old structure .

Question 2.  What is the dress code for vadakkunnathan temple ?

Answer 2.  Mens wear mundu (dhoti) without shirt,whereas women wear traditional clothes such as sarees or salwar kamizs.

Question 3.  Why vadakkunnthan temple is famous ?

Answer 3.  This temple is devoted to lord shiva and considered to be the national monuments of india .