Vadakkkunnathan Temple is one of the largest Shiva temples in Kerala. Vadakkkunnathan temple is located in Thrissur in Kerala and is considered to be over a 1000 years old. This temple is a classic example of the Kerala style of architecture with beautiful murals of the seventeenth century delineating graphically the story of Mahabharata. The shrines and the Koothambalam display exquisite vignettes carved in wood. It is believed that this temple was built by Parasurama.
Legends say that Adi Sankaracharya was born, after his parents, who were childless for many years, prayed at the Vadakkumnathan (vRashAcala) temple.
The sprawling Thekkinkadu maidan, en circling the Vadakumnathan temple, is the main venue of the Thrissur Pooram.
Temple Structure
Vadakkunnathan temple is surrounded by a massive stone wall enclosing an area of nearly 8-9 acres. Inside this fortification there are four gopurams indicating the four directions - North, South, East and West.
Apart from these four gopurams there is a multi-shrined complex in the center with three principal shrines dedicated to Shiva or Vadakkunnathan, Shankaranarayana and Rama.
In the northern side there is a circular structure with the deity facing west. The figure of Shiva-Parvati faces east and is just behind Shiva, in the same shrine. The two-storied shrine of Sri Rama facing west is located in the south. Between these two srikovils stand a third one, circular and double storied in shape, dedicated to Sankaranarayana and facing west. There are mukhamandapams in front of all the three central shrines.
Architectural Wonder
Vadakkunnathan temple is one of the oldest in South India according to the archaeologists. According to the legends, it was founded by Lord Parasurama and enshrines Lord Shiva as the principal deity. The idol of Shiva, which is not visible, is said to be covered under a mount of ghee, formed by the daily abhisheka (ablution) with ghee over the years. A devotee looking at the sanctum now sees a thirteen-foot high mount of ghee embellished with thirteen cascading crescents of gold and three serpent hoods at top. According to traditional belief, this represents the snow-clad Mount Kailas, the abode of Parvathy and Parameswara. Shiva here is more popularly known as Vadakkunnathan. Apart from Lord Shiva, Sree Parvathy, Sree Ganesh, Lord Sankaranarayana and Sree Rama are enshrined within the main nalambalam of the temple. Lord Vettekkaran (Siva in a hunter form) is also worshipped within the nalambalam enclosure.
