Thenkailasam and Vrishabhachalam are other names for Vadakkunnathan Temple. It is one of Kerala's largest and oldest Shiva temples, located in the city of Thrissur. This temple is a typical example of Kerala-style construction, with excellent murals depicting many Mahabharata stories artistically. Exquisite miniatures carved in wood may be found in the shrines and the Koothambalam.
The temple was created by Parasurama, according to legend. The main location of the Thrissur Pooram is the huge Thekkinkadu maidan, which encircles the Vadakumnathan temple. The four gopurams face north, south, east, and west, respectively.
Lord Parasurama, one of Lord Vishnu's eleven avatars, erected the Vadakkunnathan Temple, which is over 1,000 years old. The figure of Shiva, which is hidden beneath a ghee mount, was built throughout the years by daily abhishekam (ablution) using ghee. A devotee peering inside the sanctum now sees only a 16-foot-high ghee mount adorned with thirteen cascading gold crescents.
The miracle is, the ghee does not melt or does not have any foul odor.
The Ganapathi shrine is located in front of the temple kitchen, and one of the most prominent offerings to Mahaganapathy is Appam (sweetened rice cake fried in ghee). Propitiating Ganapathy is seen to be a way to prosperity and wealth in this area. A multi-shrine complex named nalambalam or chuttamabalam is located in the center of the Vadakkunnathan Temple, with three principal shrines dedicated to Vadakkunnathan, Shankaranarayana, and Sri Rama.
On the northern side, there is a circular building with the god facing west. In the same shrine, Shiva-Parvati is shown looking east, directly behind Shiva's image.
Temple Festivals
Vadakkunnathan Temple is famous for the Thrissur Pooram festival celebrated annually in the month of April – May. One of the most colorful temple festivals of Kerala, Thrissur Pooram is a majestic event that combines the imposing elephant pomp with the furious playing of drums and cymbals. The fireworks at the occasion are a fabulous sight.
Temple Timings
The temple opens daily at 04:00 AM and closes at 10:30 AM. The temple reopens at 05:00 PM and closes at 8.20 PM. Non-Hindus entry is restricted in this temple.