Vadakunnathan Temple, Thrissur

Posted Date: 26 Mar 2010 Author: Latha Jayaprakash Member Level: Gold (Rs 50)

Vadakunnathan temple is located in Thrissur, the cultural capital of the state of Kerala. The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Shiva, who is completely covered in the Ghee from the Neyyabhishekams held at the temple.

About Vadakunnathan Temple, Thrissur

According to mytholgy the Vadakunnathan temple was built by Sage Parasurama. The temple is the largest and the ancient temple in the whole of Kerala and India.

This Vadakkunnathan temple is a classical style of the Kerala Architecture and the exclusive vignettes there are made of wood. There is a stone wall covering the entire area of about 9 acres and there are 4 gopurams facing east, west, north and south.

About the interiors of the vadakunnathan Temple

Other than these four main gopurams there is a multi shrined complex in the centre. These shrines are dedicated to Lord Shiva as vadakkunnathan, Lord Shanakaranarayana and Lord Rama. There are mukha mandapams in front of all the main shrines.

About Thekkin Kadu and Puram festival

The 'Thekkin Kadu' maidan surrounding the temple is the venue for the world known Thrissur Pooram. Lord Maha ganapathy is placed facing the temple kitchen. Offering appams to the Lord is one of the famous modes of worship in the temple.

Elephants are considered as the avatara of Lord Ganapathy. There is a regular annual practice at the Vadakkunnathan Temple to conduct a large-scale Ashta Dravya Maha Ganapathy havana and also aanayoottu for the past 20 years . This is held on the first of the Karkidakom(malayalam month falling between July 15 - August 15). GajaPooja is also conducted every year at the Vadakunnathan temple.

How to Reach Vadakkunnathan temple at Thrissur

You can reach Throssur by Rail and by Road. The city is easily accessible from the Kochi airport at Nedumbassery. The Rail and road transport are well connected with almost all the towns and cities nearby. After reaching the station or the bus terminus you can hire vehicles to go the temple.