Vadakkunnathan Temple | |
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West Nada entrance of Vadakumnathan Temple
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Name | |
Proper name | Vadakkunathan Temple |
Geography | |
Country | India |
State | Kerala |
District | Thrissur district |
Location | Thrissur |
Culture | |
Primary deity | Shiva |
Important festivals | Maha Shivaratri |
Architecture | |
Architectural styles | (Kerala style) |
Number of temples | 3 |
Number of monuments | 1 |
History and governance | |
Date built | Not Known |
Creator | Parashurama |
Website | http://vadakkunnathantemple.com/ |
Coordinates: 10°31′27.98″N 76°12′51.8″E / 10.5244389°N 76.214389°E
Vadakkunnathan Temple (Malayalam: വടക്കുന്നാഥൻ ക്ഷേത്രം) is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva at city of Thrissur, of Kerala state in India. This temple is a classic example of the architectural style of Kerala and has monumental towers on all four sides and also a kuttambalam. Mural paintings depicting various episodes from Mahabharata can be seen inside the temple. The shrines and the Kuttambalam display vignettes carved in wood. The temple, along with the mural paintings, has been declared as a National Monument by India under the AMASR Act. According to popular local lore, this is the first temple built by Parasurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu. Thekkinkadu maidan, encircling the Vadakkunnathan Temple, is the main venue of the Thrissur Pooram. Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter into the temple.