Vadakkunnathan Temple, Thrissur – The Temple
The temple is situated in an elevated hillock in the
centre of Thrissur City
and is surrounded by a massive stone wall enclosing an area of nearly 9 acres
(36,000 m2). Inside this fortification, there are four gopurams facing
four cardinal directions. Between the inner temple and the outer walls, there
is a spacious compound, the entrance to which is through gopurams. Of these,
the gopurams on the south and north are not open to the public. The public
enter either through the east or west gopuram. The inner temple is separated
from the outer temple by a broad circular granite wall enclosing a broad
corridor called Chuttambalam.
Entrance into the inner temple is through a passage
through the corridor. This temple is a classic example of the Kerala style of
architecture with beautiful murals of the seventeenth century delineating graphically
the story of Mahabharata. The shrines and the Koothambalam display exquisite
vignettes carved in wood. It is said that Tipu Sultan camped near this temple
during his raid on northern Kerala. But this fact is disputed by a number of
historians.
Gopurams:
For brief details, please refer below link;
Sanctum:
The main deity of this temple, Lord Shiva, is
worshipped in the form of a huge lingam,
which is covered under a mound of ghee, formed by
the daily abhishekam (ablution) with ghee over the
years. A devotee looking into the sanctum can
now see only a 16-foot-high (4.9 m) mound of ghee embellished with
thirteen cascading crescents of gold and three serpent hoods on top. According
to traditional belief, this represents the snow-clad Mount
Kailash, the abode of Shiva. This is the only temple where the
lingam is not visible. It is said that the ghee offered here for centuries
does not have any foul odour and it does not melt even during summer.
Nandikeswara
Shrine:
Located on the verandah of the Naalambalam is
a large white bull Nandikeswara.
Rama Shrine:
The two-storied rectangular shrine of the
god Rama facing west is located in the south.
Sankaranarayana
Shrine:
Between the sanctums (Srikoils) of Shiva and Rama, stands
a third one, circular and double-storied in shape, which is dedicated to Sankara
Narayana, the combined form of Shiva and Vishnu, facing west. Lord
Sankaranarayana is also called Madhyanathan (Lord of center - may be because it
is in the center of Rama & Siva temple). As per the rule we have to pay
dharshan 4 times to both Siva and Rama temple. But to Sankaranarayana it is 6
times. There is no practice to give any type of prasadam from this shrine. However,
Lord Sankaranarayana is the custodian of all movable and immovable assets of
Vadakkunathan temple.
Ardhanarishvara
Shrine:
In the northern side, there is a circular structure with
Shiva facing west and behind him, Parvati facing east, denoting their combined
form Ardhanarishvara.
Vettekkaran
Shrine:
Lord Vettekkaran (Shiva in a hunter form) is also
worshipped within the Naalambalam enclosure.
Dharmasastha
Shrine:
There is a shrine for Lord Ayyapan (also called as Dharmasastha),
son of Lord Shiva in the Temple premises.
Adi
Sankaracharya Shrine:
Adi Sankara is believed to have been born to the
Shivaguru - Aryamba couple of Kalady in answer to their prayers before
Vadakkunnathan, as Amsavatara (incarnation) of the Lord. Legend has it that
Shiva appeared to both husband and wife in their dreams and offered them a
choice: a mediocre son who would live a long life, or an extraordinary son who
would not live long. Both Shivaguru and Aryamba chose the latter. The son was
named Shankara, in honour of Shiva. There is a Shrine dedicated to Adi Sankara
in this Temple
Rishaba
Shrine:
It is located on north-west side of the northern
entrance. The idol is a bullock in sleeping posture carved out of fine granite
stone. Earlier, the Rishaba was in standing position and was worshipped from
the front side (east). One morning the idol was found lying and later front
door was closed, and instead side view was opened. Since the idol is a sleeping
deity, the Rishaba should be worshipped after waking him up by clapping your
hands. A piece of thread from your dhoti is to be presented as an offering to
the God to cover up his nakedness. There is a school of thought that the idol
is of Digambara of Jainism.
Ganesha
Shrine:
Ganesha Shrine in the temple is situated opposite to the
temple kitchen. The offering of Appam (sweetened rice cake fried in
ghee) to him is one of the most important offerings at the temple. Propitiating
him here is believed to be a path to prosperity and wealth. It has been the standard
yearly practice at the Vadakkunnathan Temple throughout the previous 20 years
to lead a substantial scale Ashta Dravya Maha Ganapathy Havana and Aanayoottu
(stately nourishing of elephants) on the first day of karkkidakom month
according to the Malayalam Calendar. Gajapooja additionally is directed once in
four years.
Gosala
Krishna Shrine:
Saint Vilvamangalam who has having a close rapport with
all deities, once noticed a hallo on the northern side of the temple, which
then slowly turned into a cowherd and cows. The saint felt the presence of lord
Krishna and as per Vilvamangalam direction the Gosala Krishna Shrine was built.
Parashurama
Shrine:
After completing his duties Saint Parasurama disappeared
at the north east corner of the temple (Eeshana cone - north-east corner),
where you will see a small area earmarked with walls and lightened with a lamp.
The kings, the arch enemies of the saint, used avoid this holy place hence the
nearby bypass.
Simhodara
Shrine:
Simhodara Shrine is situated next to the eastern pathway
connecting the east gopuram. Simhodara is the trusted lieutenant of lord Siva
and is guarding the main Siva temple, by watching
the "thazikakudom" (There is a hole - triangle in shape -
in the main wall, through which you can have the dharshan of the temple's
"Thazhikakudam"). The real name of this deity
is "Sarvaka" who was a student of wrestling to Nandikeswara
(the holy bullock). During the trail the central part of the body of sarvaka
was elongated and the name Simhodara (belly of lion). Lord Siva agreed to be in
Kerala as per the request of saint Parasurama and Sarvaka was deputed to find a
suitable place. Sarvaka travelled all over and found all are suitable places.
He was tired from the journey and was taking rest when Lord Siva came along
with Devi. He kicked Sarvaka to the present place (kadikuzhi- the drainage).
An ardent devotee of Vadakkunathan used to pray for a
humble request to have dharshan of Kasi Viswanatha. As per the recommendations
from Sree Parvathy, lord made a direct tunnel to Kasi and invited the devotee
to travel along with. The moment they touched Kasi, Sree Parvathy requested
Simhodara to close the tunnel (you will see a balikallu here to mark the spot).
It is believed Sree Parvathy had a second thought that Ganga may use this
tunnel. The devotees are advised to put a stone as a helping hand to the
closure. However, this practice was banned as per a devaprasana, recently.
Sambuthara:
This is the platform at south east corner where you pray
Lord Chidambara by facing east and Lord Rameshwara by facing south. Lord Siva
used to dance as "Nataraja" (King of Dance) in Chidambaram which
is reflected in Rameswaram as well. As per Nandikeswara (the holy bullock)
advice, Anandha, the 1001 headed Serpent king watched the shadow - sitting on
this platform - of this dance and was blessed to notice the same at the
entrance of the sanctum of Vadakkunnathan temple as "Nirtha
Nathan".
Amma
Thara:
This is a platform where "Oorakathamma" and "Sree
Koodalmanikya Swamy (Sree Bharatha)" are prayed. A part of the holy spirit of Sree Kamakshi
accompanied the ardent devotee Thiruvalayannur Bhattathiri (Poomulli
Namboothiri) to stay near Sree Parvathy at Vadakkunathan premises. Yielding to
the prayers of Bhattathiri, Kamakshi was allowed to settle at Oorakam, which is
located at around 10 Kms southwards, as Oorakathamma. Similarly, the idol of
lord Bharatha was to be installed adjacent to Srirama temple. But as per the
humble prayers of Vakayil Kaimal, the idol was installed at Irinjalakuda, 20 Kms
southwards of Vadakkunathan. It is believed that every day both Sreevparvathy
and Srirama pay a visit to this Ammathara to see their sister & brother
respectively.
Kali
Sila:
Kali Sila, the small stone kept within the walls of the
temple, is gradually growing in terms of height and when it reaches the height
of the western gopuram, the Kaliyuga ends. To prevent this, devotees throw the
balance of the Siva Prasad on it.
Ganapathy
Shrine (Venmadakoil):
Vadakkunathan had 12 days Utsavam during Uttharayana season
and discontinued due to various reasons. Once the coffer was empty and the
Yogadirippad had an oracle to remove the Ganapathy idol. A dark room (nilavara)
was found below the Peetam and a golden lizard lightening the whole place. The room
was full of gold and jewels. The chieftain took only whatever needed to conduct
Utsavam. You will see a stone carving of the lizard to commemorate this.
(behind the left door to the main entrance of the Valiyambalam). Touch and pray
for the prosperity here. There is a mural painting near the sopanam of the Lord
Siva temple. It is the "Sundara yakshi" (Beautiful apsara).
If you touch and pray on this portrait, this charming young lady will marry
you.
Koothambalam:
The temple theatre, known as Koothambalam,
has four magnificent gateways called Gopurams and the lofty masonry wall
around the temple quadrangle are imposing pieces of craftsmanship and skill. The
Koothambalam is
used for staging Koothu, Nangyar
Koothu and Koodiyattam, an ancient ritualistic art forms
of Central Kerala.
Koothambalam can be seen on the left side as you enter the temple via the
western entrance gopuram.
According to folk lore, before the new Koothambalam was
built, there used to be an old and dilapidated structure. The then Diwan T.
Sankunni Menon ordered to demolish the structure and construct
a new Koothambalam. He gave this task to
Velanezhy Nambudiri, a
famous Thachushasthranjan or master craftsman. He prepared a mental
sketch and built a beautiful Koothambalam there. Velanezhy
Illom is in Venganellur Gramam, Chelakkara town.
Arjuna's
Villkuzhi:
During the Mahabharata war Jayadratha was killed by
Arjuna to retaliate his son Abhimanyu's heroic death trapped in Chakra Vyuga.
Jayadratha was an ardent devotee of Lord Siva and hence the arrow that killed
him fell in to the Vadakkunathan temple courtyard. As per Lord Krishna's advice,
Arjuna prayed to Lord Siva and was condoned of his sin for killing Jayadratha.
A deep well was formed where the arrow fell, and legend says that Arjuna
cleaned his arrow with the water from this well.
It is customary to wash your feet with water from this
well before starting dharshan in this temple. Few meters away from this
Villkuzhi, towards north there are two granite pillars. Zamorin of Calicut paid
an offering "gold Thulabharam" to Vadakkunathan. To perform
this offering (articles weighed against one's own weight) this giant pillars
were made.
Murals:
The temple is famous for the rarity of the temple
murals, of which the Vasukishayana and Nrithanatha murals
are of great importance and are worshipped daily. The temple also houses a
museum of ancient wall paintings, wood carvings and art pieces of ancient
times. A study done by Archaeological Survey of India on
two paintings in the temple has revealed that it is 350 years old. These two
rare paintings were a reclining Shiva and a Nataraja with
20 arms.
Outside
Temples:
Outside the main temple, there are shrines for
Lord Subrahmanya and Lord Ganapathi.
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