Vadakkunnatha temple

The most prominent feature of Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala is the Vadakkunnatha Temple. The presiding deity here is Lord Shiva. In fact the very name of the town is derived from Thri Shiva Perur (the town with the name of Lord Shiva). 
The temple is a classic example of the Kerala style of architecture. It features low, tiled roofs, an abundance of woodwork and murals depicting the Hindu epic of Mahabharatha. 
Legend has it that the temple was founded by Parasurama. Another unique feature of the temple is the Koothambalam or the theatre hall. One of the biggest of its kind in South India it exhibits exquisite vignettes carved in wood. 
Prince Ramavarma popularly known as Sakthan Thampuran (the Mighty King), of the erstwhile Cochin State was the architect of the place. He cleared the vast Teak Forest known as Thekkinkadu around the Vadakunnathan Temple, the very centre of the town. An ardent devotee of Lord Siva himself, he renovated the temple by creating a mammoth edifice, a ten-acre temple complex enclosed by lofty masonry walls. He erected four massive Gopurams (Entry Towers) at the crest of a seventy-acre evenly sloping Maidan fringed by a broad circular road. The now bustling town gradually evolved around this temple
Even though Thekkinkad Maidan is the venue of the pooram extravaganza, the lord Shiva is a mere spectator of the annual fete. The neighbouring temples of Paramelkavu and Thiruvambady are the stage managers of the 30-hour-long Thrissur pooram. The most impressive processions are from these temples too. Kanimangalam, Karamucku, Laloor, Choorakottukara, Panakkampally, Ayyanthole, Chembukkavu and Neyattinkkavu are the other sectors that actively take part in the whole exercise. 

Getting there:
Nearest railway station: Trichur about 1 km.


 

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