Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur - Gopurams

Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur - Gopurams

Northern Gopuram:

Northern gopuram of Vadakkunathan Temple is slightly leaning. This can be noticed when you observe this gopuram closely. There is a legend behind this. Once upon a time, a small golden serpent was found in a bell of the Namaskara mandapa of Vadakkunathan and Karrat Namboothiri tried to pull it down to win a bet. The tail of the serpent started growing beyond the temple pushing away the Namboothiri. Finally, Karrat found asylum in the pond (kokarni - near to north gopuram). The serpent chased and covered the pond. Panic stricken Namboothiri had no choice but to beg for help from "Garuda". When Garuda came and took position on the northern gopuram, the serpent (who was actually Vasuki) vanished. The gopuram could not carry Garuda's weight and started to lean and the king of birds flew away.

Eastern Gopuram:

The chief priest of Vadakkunathan used to do some secret pooja after daily routine in a room in this gopuram. It is rumored to be black magic and as per Maharaja's order an employee peeped through a hole in the door to verify this. It was just "Bhagavathy Seva" and during the climax of the pooja, employee saw an amazing power source, which as per the legend blinded him. The room remained closed for decades.

Southern Gopuram:

Southern Gopuram is a donation from King of Kodungallur and hence devotees pay their salute to Kodungallur Devi here. To pass through this gopuram is said to be a journey of no return. In olden days, the convicts, who were sentenced to death, were brought to Sankaranarayana Temple for their last rites. They were made to wear red garlands and would later be handed over to "Arachar" waiting outside the southern gopuram. The sentence was performed at a place called Anchery, some 6 Kms south east of Vadakkunathan. However, the doors of this gopuram are now opened only for Thrissur Pooram. "Neithilkavilamma" a participant Pooram deity opens this door from outside on the day before Pooram and will be closed the Thrissur Pooram day after the royal dharbhar "Thekkottirakkam".

Western Gopuram:

The western gopuram was constructed by the Perumppadappu Swaroopam of Cochin dynasty. The "Deepastambam" was donated by Samoothiri of Calicut as a token of compromise between Perumppadappu and Calicut.