Vadakkumnathan Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva at city of Thrissur, of Kerala state in India. This temple is a classical example of the architectural style of Kerala and has one monumental tower on each of the four sides in addition to a Kuttambalam.
Vadakkunathan! This is the name which has been given to Lord Shiva in the city of Thrissur, Kerala, India. The Vadakkunnathan temple is the first temple which was created by Lord Parasurama. The temple located at the heart of the city of Thrissur is enclosed by colossal walls of stone under an area of around eight acres. The four directions, East, West, North and South in the temple have been indicated by four Gopurams inside the temple premises. In the centre of the temple there is multi shrine complex, besides the four Gopurams. The three key shrines of the temple have been dedicated to the Vadakkunatham or Lord Shiva, Lord Rama and Shankaranarayana. Lord Shiva who in the hunter form called as the Vettekkaran, besides other places is also worshipped in the Nalambalam area.
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The greatest temple in Kerala, Vadakkunathan Temple, is dedicated to worshipping Lord Shiva and is one of the oldest temples in Southern India. A remarkable example of the classical Kerala style of building, this temple boasts exceptional 17th century murals that retell the Mahabharata. The Koothambalam and shrines features the wood craved vignettes. One intriguing aspest of the temple is that it’s thought to be where Tipu sultan tented, however this claim has been the subject of numerous disagreements and isn’t often accepted by historians.
The temple showcases a classic example of Kerala architectural style known as the Kerala style architecture. It features a circular structure called sreekovil that houses the main deity Lord Shiva. The temple also has magnificent murals, intricate wood carving, and traditional Kerala temple art.
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The main deity of the temple is Lord Shiva, worshipped in the form of Vadakkunathan. The presiding deity is known as Thekkinkadu maithanam or siva in the heart of Thrissur.
The Thrissur Pooram festival is the Vadakkunathan Temple. It is an annual festival celebrated in the Malayalam month Medam. The festival attracts thousands of devotees and features a grand procession of beautifully decorated elephants, percussion ensembles, and colorful fireworks.
The Vadakkunathan Temple holds immense religious and cultural significance in Kerala and attracts devotees and tourists from all over the world. Its rich history, architectural splendor, and the grandeur of the Thrissur Poonam festival make it a must visit destination for those interested in exploring the heritage of Kerala.
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