VADAKKUNNATHAN TEMPLE

The Vadakkunnathan temple, of Kerala finds its place in a hillock at the centre of Trichur. One of the largest temples in Kerala devoted to Lord Shiva is the Vadakkunnathan temple which is one of the most ancient of its kind. The town of Trichur is developed surrounding the Vadakkunnathan temple. Trichur gets its name from Tiru-Siva-Perur. The Vadakkunnathan temple is one of the most important sacred shrines of Kerala. According to the legends it was built 1000 years ago by parasurama.

According to the myths Adi Sankaracharya parents' prayed at the Vadakkumnathan or the Vrashacala temple for his birth after remaining childless for long. Vrishachala and Vrisha are the other names of Vadakkkunnathan Temple which literally mean Nandikeswara.

The architecture involves wall painting of the seventeenth century and engraved in it is the detailed story of Mahabharata.Vadakkkunnathan Temple presents the typical Kerala architectural style. The temple also has a superb description of the Koothambalam this is a wood carving.

The forest of teak woods encircling the famous temple of Kerala is called Tekkinkadu which is local term for teakwood. At present the tourists are denied the view of the forest as there is no sign of the forest.

The temple is under construction and the Archeological Survey of India with the help of the TVS group has taken up the renovation process. A visitor to the town of Trichur must visit the famous temple of Vadakkkunnathan Temple, Kerala to have an idea of the architecture of Kerala.