Vadakkunnathan Temple Legends

As per the Legend stated in Brahmanda Purana, Parasurama who exterminated Kshatriyas for 21 times performed a Yajna to get relieved from the Sins and donated all his lands to Brahmans as a Dakshina. He requested Lord Varuna (God of Rain) to throw a piece of Land from the sea to retire and continue with his penance.

Lord Varuna gave him a winnow (surpa), which turned into a territory. Another version is that Varuna asked Parasurama to hurl the axe into the sea which turned into a territory. It was then known by Surparaka which came from the word Surpa (winnow). This is the present day Kerala as per the legends.

He then went to Mount Kailash and requested his Guru Lord Siva to make Kerala as his abode. On his disciple’s request, Siva with His Consort Parvathi, Ganapathi, Subramanya and other Gana’s followed his disciple and disappeared after reaching Thrissur. Parasurama saw the self-manifested Siva Linga under the huge Banyan Tree. This is the first place where Lord Siva manifested himself and this place known as Sri Mula Sthana.

When King of this region decided to construct the temple, Yogathiripad (temple chief priest) protected this Linga while the tree was cut. The Siva Linga was then moved to the present location and a beautiful temple was built.

Adi Sankara birth history is also associated with this temple, it was here where Lord Siva blessed the childless couple with a baby boy who lives for a shorter time.

Vadakkunnathan Temple History

Pooram festival was introduced under the reign of Prince Rama Varma known by Sakthan Thampuran during 1750 AD – 1805 AD. An ardent devotee of Lord Siva renovated this temple by creating a massive structure in a 10-acre complex. Handiwork on walls, 4 stately Gopuras were built during his times.

Vadakkunnathan Temple Darshan Timings

Morning Hours: 4:00 am – 10:00 am

Evening Hours: 5:00 pm – 8:20 pm

Vadakkunnathan Temple Restriction

Children below 1 year will not be allowed inside the temple

Dress Code

Men: White Pancha, Dhoti

Female: Saree with blouse/ Punjabi Dress with Dupatta / Chudidhar with Dupatta/ Half saree

How to reach Vadakkunnathan Temple?

By Air

1. Kochi International airport at Nedumbassery is at a distance of 53 km

By Train

1. All trains to Kerala goes via Thrissur Railway station, which is 3 km from Temple

By Road

1. Thrissur is well connected with all parts of Kerala, major cities in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka state

Places Nearby

1. Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple is 27 km away
2. Irinjalakuda Koodal Manickam Temple is 21 km
3. Cheruthuruthy dance schools which taught Kathakali, Mohini Attam and Thullal is at a distance of 30 km
4. Athirappilly Water Falls is 60 km away
5. Peechi dam is 21 km away
6. Famous picnic spot, Vilangan Hills is 8.8 km away

Vadakkunnathan Temple Gallery

Reference Link: Temple History

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