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. |