Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur
Vadakkunnathan Temple is one of the oldest temples in Kerala, which has Mural paintings quite 400 years old, and the Vadakkunnathan Temple is 1000 years old.
If you want to enjoy the architecture of Vadakkunnathan Temple, then you must visit in Thrissur. The temple has architectural beauty, history, heritage and also culture. People of Thrissur has maintained its culture and tradition of Vadakkunnathan temple. There are shrines Of Maha Vishnu and Shankara Narayana which are located at the temple. It also has the largest dance hall called Koothambalam, which reflects the architecture of Kerala. There are various traditional performances that are held at the festival of Vadakkunnathan Temple, and it is known as Nangyar Koothu. There is Thiruvambadi Krishna temple and Paramekkavu Devi Temple Outside the temple. The temple receives hundreds of devotees every day, especially at the weekend and on Mondays people have to use faith and believe in the temple. Nathan Temple in Thrissur has one of the best in the traditional architectural sense of Kerala.
The temple is situated on the hill lock which is around a large stone and share is an area of 9 acres. The entrance of Vadakkunnathan Temple is facing north, east, south, and west which comprises four gopurams. The entrances are the four massive gateways and have a ball around the temple that reflects the skills and craftsmanship of constructing the place. There are main shrines of Vadakkunnathan, Shankaranarayan and Lord Rama. The entrance of the left has copper plates on the sloping roofs and also the theatre.
There is also an old museum that is present inside the Vadakkunnathan Temple, which reflects the culture and art of Kerala. There are various wall paintings, wood carvings and different magnificent art pieces that are preserved in the museum. If you are visiting the Vadakkunnathan Temple, you must go to the museum to know more details about it. There are times when the temples are very crowded as especially on the festival days. On the Maha Shivaratri, lakhs of lambs are being lit, and it is one of the most magnificent views inside the temple.
Location
Kuruppam, Thrissur
Main Deity
Lord Shiva
Other Deities
Krishna (Gopala krishna), Parashurama, Simhodara, Ayyappa (Shiva’s son), Vettekkaran (Shiva as a hunter), Serpent Deities and Adi Shankara. Outside the main temple, there are shrines for lord Subrahmanya and Lord Ganapati. In the main sanctum the north side, the circular structure with lord shiva faces west, lord Parvati faces east, signifying their combined form Ardhanarishvara. And lord Rama facing west is located in the south. Between these two shrines (Sri kovils) is the third, circular and double-storied structure, dedicated to Sankara Narayana, the combined form of lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
Festivals
“Maha Shivaratri” is the main festival celebrated in the temple. Cultural and musical events are held in the temple premises. One lakh temple lamps are lit during the festival. “Aanayoottu” this is second largest festival in vadakkunnatha temple. The festival is the first day of the month of karkkidakam. In many elephants, there are lots of decorations are placed for worship and nourishment. Crowds throng the temple to feed the elephants. Every year of Aanayoottu, gaja pooja, is conducted. It is believed that offering pooja and delicious food for elephants is the way to satisfy Lord Gaanapati, the god of wealth. “Thrissur Pooram” is called the moter of all poorams in kerala. All the kerala people call this festival as “poorangalude pooram”. This is conducted in the Malayalam month of Medam.
Main Offerings
CHANDANACHARTHU, MUZHUKAPPU, UDAYASTAMANA POOJA, USHA POOJA, UCHA POOJA, NITHYA POOJA, CHUTTUVILAKKU THELIYIKKAL, PARAYIDEEL (Inside temple compound), ENNA VILAKKU, NEYVILAKKU, VALIYA VILAKKU MAALA, UDAYADA CHARTHU, GANAPATHI HOMAM, MRITHYUNJAYA HOMAM, MAHA GANAPATHI HOMAM, MAHA MRITYUNJAYA HOMAM, BHAGAVATHISEVA, ARCHANA, SAHASARA NANARCHANA, ASHTOTHARARCHANA, PUSHPANJALI, RAKTHA PUSHPANJALI, BHAGYA SOOKTHAM PUSHPANJALI, SWAYAMVARA MANTHRA PUSHPANJALI, LALITHASAHASRANAMAM PUSHPANJALI, SARASWATH
How To Reach
By Air: The nearest airport is at Kochi which is 53 Km from Nedumbassery.
By Train: The nearest Railway station at Thrissur which is 3 km away.
By Road: Regular buses, Cabs are easily accessible from Kochi, Thrissur station.