Hindu Temples of India: Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur, Kerala

Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur, Kerala

Vadakkunnathan Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located in the heart of Thrissur City in the state of Kerala, India. This temple is a classic example of the architectural style of Kerala and has monumental towers on all four sides and also a Koothambalam. Mural paintings depicting various episodes from Mahabharata can be seen inside the temple. The shrines and the Koothambalam 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.

In the year 2012 the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has recommended 14 sites, including Vadakkunathan Temple and palaces, from Kerala to include in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. India has won the top UNESCO prize ‘Award of Excellence’ 2015 for the remarkable conservation efforts of the majestic Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple in Kerala, the U.N. body.

The award recognizes the remarkable conservation effort undertaken at the sacred site which employed age-old rituals and conservation techniques drawn from Vastu Sastra focusing on architecture and construction,” UNESCO said in a statement. As such, the tangible attributes of the temple were inextricably linked with its intangible heritage which dates back generations, thus ensuring that “spirit of place” resonates throughout the site, the U.N. body said.