Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur, Kerala

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Vadakkunnathan temple is one of the largest and most ancient Shiva temples in Kerala state of India, located at Thrissur. Thrissur is the cultural capital of Kerala - God's own country. Vadakkunnathan temple, situated on a small hillock, is believed to be 1000 years old. There is a legendary belief that this temple was built by Parasurama, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. There is also a belief that Adi Shankaracharya was born after his parents prayed to Vadakkunnathan in this temple.


Vadakkunnathan temple, Vrishabhachalam or Thenkailasam (meaning South Kailasha) is a huge temple built in the typical Kerala style of architecture. The temple has a lot of mural paintings depicting the incidents from Hindu epics and Puranas. The famous Pooram festival's venue is well next to the temple.


The temple's highlight is that the icon of Vadakkunnathan, which is in the form of Shiva Linga, is not visible outside. It is covered under the mount of ghee. This is formed by daily abhisheka (ablution) over the years. The carvings of Shiva and Parvathi are seen behind the Shiv Linga. 


Near the main shrine of Vadakkunnathan, there are two prominent shrines - one for Rama and another for Hari Hara or Shankara Narayana (a combined form of Vishnu and Shiva). A separate shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of a hunter (vettaikkaran). All these four shrines are located on the same platform.


Outside the mandapa, there are shrines for Krishna, Parasurama, Vrishabha, Simhodara, Adi Shankaracharya, and Dharma Shasta. There is also a vast Nandi sculpture in the verandah of the temple. The samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya is also located in this prakara. 


The temple, surrounded by a massive stone wall, has a vast area of around 9 acres. There are four temple towers in four directions. There is also a museum within the temple for ancient wall paintings, wood carvings, and other forms of art pieces.


This is a great temple which you shouldn't miss visiting.


Happy travelling.



Visit my site, krishnakumartk.com, to know more about the travel guides and other books that I have written.




Comments

  1. P.N. SubramanianThursday, September 22, 2011

    Shankaracharya and St. Thomas have some thing in common. - Samadhis. There is another Samadhi at Kalady.

    ReplyDelete

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