Vadakkunnathan Temple – Thrissur, Kerala:
In the Thrissur district of Kerala, India, there is an ancient Hindu temple called the Vadakkunnathan Temple, which is devoted to Shiva. The temple features a koothambalam in addition to one magnificent tower on each of its four sides, making it a typical example of Keralan architecture. Within the temple are mural paintings showing different scenes from the Mahabharata. Wood-carved vignettes are displayed in the shrines and Kuttambalam. India has designated the temple and its mural paintings as National Monuments under the AMASR Act. This is the first temple constructed by Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Vishnu, according to widely accepted local legend. The major venue of the Thrissur Pooram celebration is Thekkinkadu Maidan, which surrounds the Vadakkumnathan Shiva Temple.
The Vadakkumnathan Temple and palaces in Kerala are among the 14 monuments that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) recommended be added to the UNESCO World Heritage monuments list in 2012. In addition, the temple was founded by Parashurama and is the first of the 108 Shiva temples in ancient Kerala.
Vadakkunnathan Temple History:
During the reign of Perumthachan from Parayi petta panthirukulam, the temple was constructed. Given that Perumthachan is credited with living in the second century, the Koothambalam could be older than 1,600 years. Historian V. V. K. Valath of Malayalam claims that the temple was a pre-Dravidian Kavu (shrine). Early on, the Vadakkunnathan temple also housed the Paramekkavu Bhagavathi shrine. The goddess’ idol was then transported to an entirely new temple that was constructed outside. As to the temple archives, the Vadakkunnathan temple is not as old as the Koodalmanikyam Temple, Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, and Ammathiruvadi Temple, Urakam.
Legend of Vadakkunnathan Shiva Temple:
The Brahmanda Purana includes a brief account of traditions pertaining to the founding of the Vadakkumnathan Temple, and similar legends are also included in a few other literary works. While some specifics in these narratives vary, they all agree on the main point—that Parashurama was the one who constructed the temple. Legend has it that Parashurama asked Varuna, the Lord of the Oceans, to create a new landmass out of the waves. When Varuna complied, Kerala was founded as the new land.
It was now Parashurama’s desire to dedicate this new territory. In order to sanctify the area, he journeyed to Mount Kailasa to see his guru, the god Shiva, and asked him to settle in Kerala. Shiva travelled with Parashurama on his routine, following his teacher, together with his wife Parvati, sons Ganesha and Subrahmanya. Shiva came to a halt at what is now Thrissur in order to take a seat. Subsequently, he and his group vanished, and Parashurama beheld a luminous and bright Lingam—a non-anthropomorphic Shiva icon—at the base of an enormous banyan tree. The Sanskrit name for this location, where Shiva revealed himself as a lingam, is Sri Moola Sthana.
The lingam was left for a while at Sri Moola Sthana, beneath a massive banyan tree. The Cochin Kingdom’s monarch then made the decision to move the lingam to a more suitable location and build a temple around it. Plans were quickly put in place for the new installation. However, there was a problem at first. It was not possible to remove the lingam without severely damaging the banyan tree. This increased the possibility that fallen branches might harm the lingam. The Yogatirippadu offered a solution while the ruler was still perplexed. He asked the men to chop the tree as he lay over the lingam, covering it entirely with his body. To everyone’s surprise, not a single branch of the tree fell anywhere close to the deity as the cutting started. The deity was relocated in accordance with procedures outlined and placed in its current location. Then, in compliance with the Shastras’ guidelines, a temple was erected around the deity.
Vadakkunnathan Temple Timings:
The timings of Vadakkunnathan shiva Temple is
Opening Time(Morning) – 4:00 am
Neyyatam – 4:15 am
Usha Pooja – 6:00 am – 6:30 am
Ucha Pooja – 9:00 am – 9:45 am
Closing – 11:00 am
Opening Time (Evening) – 5:00 pm
Dheeparadhana – 6:15 pm
Athazha Pooja – 7:00 pm – 7:45 pm
Thripuka – 8:00 pm – 8:20 pm
Closing – 8:30 pm
Vadakkunnathan Temple Vazhipadu list:
Pushpanjali – 12.00
Ganapathy Homam – 90.00
Ennayattam (Sree Raman) – 600.00
Maala Pooja – 24.00
Lalitha Sahasranamarchana – 36.00
Vilwadhalarchana – 36.00
Special Neypayasam – 180.00
Palpayasam – 100.00
Appam – 145.00
Ottayappam – 100.00
Swayamvararchana – 36.00
Maala – 15.00
Dhara – 60.00
Vella Nivedhyam – 30.00
Umamaheswara Pooja – 120.00
Sumangali Pooja – 120.00
Mrithyunjaya Homam – 300.00
Noorum Paalum (Nagangal) – 60.00
Ashtadravya Ganapathi Homam (Big) – 600.00
Ashtadravya Ganapathi Homam (Small) – 300.00
Bagyasooktham – 36.00
Chandana Charthu – 480.00
Kettunira – 36.00
Maala Charthu (Onnu Nadakkal) – 330.00
101 Kudam (Rishaban) – 300.00
51 Kudam (Rishaban) – 210.00
Maha Mrithyunjaya Homam – 600.00
Sangabhishekam – 120.00
Chooroonu – 120.00
Vidyarambam – 60.00
Vahana Pooja – 360.00
Vivaham – 600.00
Aikyamathyam – 36.00
Avilkootu – 50.00
Naga Pooja – 120.00
Shaneeswara Pooja – 120.00
Sree Rudrajapam – 270.00
Veliyothu Pushpanjali – 36.00
Bhrahma Rakshasu Pooja – 120.00
Gouree Sankara Pooja – 120.00
Gandharva Pooja – 120.00
Neyyattam (Vadakkunnathan) – 1,320.00
Thrikala Pooja – 600.00
Niramala Chuttuvilakku Full – 10,000.00
Niramala Nadakkal – 1,350.00
Udhyasthamana Pooja – 90,000.00
18 ½ Paranivedyam – 15,000.00
18 ½ Idangazhi Nivedyam – 1000.00
Swarna Thaali – 300.00
Pattu – 70.00
Thattu Panam – 60.00
Adima – 192.00
Nelppara – 150.00
Arippara – 250.00
Elluppara – 250.00
Sarkkarappara – 300.00
Manjalpodi Para – 550.00
Avilpara – 160.00
Panchasarapara – 300.00
Malarpara – 100.00
Annadhanam (A) – 20,000.00
Annadhanam (B) – 15,000.00
Neypayasam – 100.00
Enna – 9.00
Neyyu – 21.00
Thrikkai Venna – 60.00
Ellu Kizhi – 10.00
Neeranjanam – 60.00
Manjalpodi – 12.00
Karuka Homam – 60.00
Sreerudhradaara – 600.00
Innamala – 300.00
Festivals celebrated at Vadakkunnathan Temple:
Maha Shivaratri:
The primary event observed in the temple is Maha Shivaratri.Events showcasing culture and music take place inside the temple. During the celebration, almost one lakh temple lamps are lit. This is the day of the continuous lingam abhishekam using ghee and soft coconut. There will be special poojas with abhishekam on the day, and the temple is open throughout the night.
Aanayoottu:
The temple’s second-biggest celebration is the elephant-feeding event, or Aanayoottu. Elephants are referred to by followers as the manifestation of the elephant-headed god Ganesha. The celebration takes place on the first day of July, which is the first day of the Malayalam month of Karkkidakam. For the past 20 years, the first day of the Malayalam month of Karkidakom has marked the beginning of a grandiose annual celebration of Ashta Dravya Maha Ganapathy Havana and Aanayoottu at the temple. It entails placing several naked elephants in the middle of a large crowd so they can be fed and worshipped. To feed the elephants, a mob of people swarm the temple.Additionally, Gajapooja is held once every four years.
Thrissur Pooram:
In Kerala, Thrissur Pooram is referred to as the mother of all Poorams. It is referred to as “poorangalude pooram” in Malayalam. This is done throughout the month of Medam in Malayalam. In front of Vadakkumanathan, the gods from the Parmekavu and Thiruvambady temples, along with a few other tiny poorams, gather to celebrate. The festival lasts for 36 hours and draws thousands of visitors and devotees. Madathilavaravu Panchavadhyam, Elanjithara Melam, Kudamattam, and Vedikettu are the primary attractions of Pooram.
Aathirotsavam:
The Thiruvathirai festival falls during the Malayalam month of Dhanu Masam (December – January) on the day known as Tiruvathira Nakshatram.The primary focus of the celebration is Lord Shiva, and there are two widely held myths about him. The first is that on this day, Kamadeva was reduced to ashes by Lord Shiva. Another myth concerns Lord Shiva’s reappearance in the world after the death of Goddess Sati, having completed his stringent tapas and austerities.
Vadakkunnathan Temple Official website – https://sreewadakkunathantemple.org/
Vadakkunnathan Temple Address:
Wadakkunathan Devaswom
Round North Trissur, Kerala, India – 680 001
Phone: 0487-2426040, 2421312
Mobile No: 9188 958 014
vadakkunnathan temple online booking – devotees can book pooja tickets through online in official website -https://booking.sreewadakkunathantemple.org/
Best Time to visit vadakkunnathan temple:
April and May are the best times to visit the Vadakkunnathan Temple because this is when the Thrissur Pooram is held. The temple is a must-see since it was constructed in the seventh century and is one of Kerala’s oldest temples.
How to reach vadakkunnathan shiva temple:
By Air: The Kochi International Airport, located in Nedumbassery and 53 kilometres away, is the destination if you are travelling by air.
By Rail: Thrissur Railway Station is a convenient place to rapidly connect to other trains, as all trains go directly to Kerala. The temple is roughly 3 km from this train station, which is the closest one.
By Road: Thrissur is well-connected to every region of Kerala, making it simple to arrange a road trip that passes through Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Places to visit near vadakkunnathan shiva temple:
Paramekavu Bhagavathy Temple
Shakthan Thampuran Palace
Athirappilly Waterfalls
Charpa Waterfall
Kurumbakavu Temple
Irinjalakuda Koodal Manickam Temple
Peechi Dam
vadakkunnathan shiva temple distance:
vadakkunnathan temple to guruvayur temple distance – 50 min (26.7 km) via Thrissur – Kunnamkulam Rd and SH49
vadakkumnathan temple to kodungallur temple distance – 1 hr 10 min (36.9 km) via Kodungallur – Shornur Rd
vadakkumnathan temple to thrissur distance – 2 min (550.0 m) via Kodungallur – Shornur Rd/Swaraj Round W
vadakkumnathan temple to athirapally falls distance – 1 hr 23 min (57.7 km) via NH544 and Chalakudy – Anamala Rd
vadakkumnathan temple to paramekkavu temple distance – 4 min (1.1 km) via Kodungallur – Shornur Rd/Swaraj Round W
vadakkunnathan shiva temple photos:
