Rajarajeshwara Temple

Shree Rajarajeshwaram
Rajarajeshwara Temple
Shree Rajarajeshwaram Location within Kerala
Name
Devanagari	राजराजेश्वरं क्षेत्र
Malayalam	രാജരാജേശ്വരം ക്ഷേത്രം
Geography
Coordinates	12°2′54.17″N 75°21′20.1″E / 12.0483806°N 75.355583°E / 12.0483806; 75.355583Coordinates: 12°2′54.17″N 75°21′20.1″E / 12.0483806°N 75.355583°E / 12.0483806; 75.355583
Country	India
State	Kerala
District	Kannur district
Culture
Primary deity	Shiva
Architecture
Architectural styles	Blend of Ancient Chola and Traditional Kerala style
Inscriptions	Ancient Chola inscriptions
History and governance
Date built	Modern temple ~1000 C.E
Creator	Parashurama, Rajaraja Chola
Temple board	Malabar Devaswom Board

The Rajarajeswara temple is a Shiva temple located at Taliparamba in the Kannur district of Kerala, South India.

The temple is regarded as one of the existing 108 ancient Shiva Temples of Kerala. It also has a prominent place amongst the numerous Shiva temples in South India. It had the tallest shikhara amongst the temples of its time. The Rajarajeshwara temple has a top of about 90 tonnes. If any problem is encountered in the other temples of South India, devotees seek a solution in this temple through a prasna, a traditional method of astrological decision making. The prasna is conducted on a peedha (a raised platform) outside the temple.

Legendarily, it was supposedly renovated by Sage Parashurama, long before the Kali Yuga commenced. Several centuries ago it was renovated by the Mushika (Kolathiri) dynasty kings. This temple was rebuilt into its present form in the early eleventh century. The quadrangular sanctum has a two-tiered pyramidal roof; in front of the sanctum is the namaskara mandapam, but the temple has no kodi maram (flagstaff), unlike others in Kerala. Non-Hindus are not permitted to enter.

The temple at Taliparamba is among the 108 ancient Kerala temples dedicated to Shiva. It is as famous as the Shiva temples at Vaikom, Ettumanur and Vadakkunnathan temple at Trichur.

Taliparamba is regarded as one of the ancient Shakti Peethams. Legend has it that the head of Sati (Goddess/ wife of shiva) fell here after Shiva's tandavam following Sati's self-immolation.Sati was the daughter of Daksh, a respected Hindu king who had a disregard for Shiva.

The Shiva Linga here is believed to be several thousands of years old. Legend has it that Shiva gave three sacred Shiva Lingas to Parvati/Sati for worship. One sage, Maandhata, propitiated Lord Shiva with intense prayers. Shiva was so pleased that he presented one of the Shiva Lingas to him with the injunction that it should be installed only at a place where there was no cremation ground. The sage, after searching all over, found Taliparamba the most sacred spot where he installed the Shiva Linga.

After his death the Linga disappeared into the earth. Then his son Muchukunda offered similar prayers to Shiva and got a second Shiva Linga, which too disappeared in course of time. Centuries passed. The third Shiva Linga was handed down to Satasoman, a king of Mushaka/Kolathiri/Chirakkal Royal Family, who then ruled the region. He was an ardent devotee of Shiva. On the advice of sage Agastya, he prayed to Lord Siva, who granted him the Shiva Linga. The king installed it in the present temple built by him. However, many legends associated with the Temple, claim Agastya Himself as installing the Shiva Linga (which is believed as per those legends to be a 'Jyothirlingam').