Vadakkunnathan Temple
വടക്കുന്നാഥൻ ക്ഷേത്രം
Lord Shiva (Vadakkunnathan) · Thrissur, Kerala
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About the temple
One of the largest and oldest Shiva temples in Kerala; centerpiece of Thrissur Pooram. Spiritual enlightenment, mental peace, and ancestral blessings.
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 04:00 – 20:30
- Established
- 1300
- Best time to visit
- 04:30
- Entry fee
- Free
Deity
Lord Shiva (Vadakkunnathan) · വടക്കുന്നാഥൻLord RamaLord SankaranarayanaGoddess ParvatiLord Ganesha
- Deity form
- Shiva Lingam (Covered under a massive mound of ghee)
- Religious tradition
- Kerala Tantric Sampradaya
- Sanskrit name
- श्री वदक्कुन्नाथ मन्दिरम्
- Also known as
- Thenkailasam (Kailash of the South)
Darshan hours
- Monday
- 04:00 - 11:00, 16:30 - 20:30
- Tuesday
- 04:00 - 11:00, 16:30 - 20:30
- Wednesday
- 04:00 - 11:00, 16:30 - 20:30
- Thursday
- 04:00 - 11:00, 16:30 - 20:30
- Friday
- 04:00 - 11:00, 16:30 - 20:30
- Saturday
- 04:00 - 11:00, 16:30 - 20:30
- Sunday
- 04:00 - 11:30, 16:30 - 21:00
- Break timings
- 11:00 AM to 04:30 PM
- Special days
- Open all night on Maha Shivaratri
- Festival timings
- 24-hour access during Thrissur Pooram
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 05:00
- Midday aarti
- 10:30
- Evening aarti
- 18:30
- Night aarti
- 20:15
- Special aarti days
- Pradosham, Mondays
- Ritual schedule
- Unique 'Ghee abhishekam' where ghee does not melt even in heat.
- Pooja timings
- Standard 5 poojas daily
- Abhishek timings
- Early morning (Neyyabhishekam)
- Special poojas
- Neyyabhishekam, Ganapathy Homam
- Online pooja booking
- No
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Ancient
- Built by
- Believed to be established by Parashurama
- Architect / builder
- Traditional Vishwakarma Sthapathis
- Construction materials
- Granite, Laterite, Teak wood, Copper
- Historical events
- Recipient of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation (2015).
- Renovations
- Major conservation project completed in 2015
- Archaeological importance
- Incredible murals and 1000-year-old wood carvings.
- Legends
- Adi Shankara's parents prayed here for a son.
- Inscriptions
- Ancient Vatteluttu inscriptions on the base of the Sreekovil.
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- Multi-period (8th - 17th Century)
- Structure
- Massive complex (Maha-Kshetra) spanning 9 acres.
- Floors
- 1
- Gopuram
- Four monumental stone and wood Padippuras (Gopurams)
- Mandapa
- Large Koothambalam (Temple Theater) known for its acoustics.
- Sculptural features
- Exquisite wood carvings on the ceiling of the Mandapam.
- Artistic elements
- Famous 17th-century murals including 'Mahabharata' scenes.
- Construction technique
- Mortarless stone masonry and advanced wood joinery.
- Unique features
- The Shiva Lingam is not visible; it is under a 10-foot mound of ghee.
Festivals & events
Thrissur Pooram (Medam month)Maha ShivaratriAanayoottu
- Festival calendar
- April - May
- Special celebration days
- First day of Karkidakam (Aanayoottu - Elephant Feeding)
- Cultural events
- Temple arts in the historic Koothambalam
- Annual events
- Thrissur Pooram (World famous)
- Peak crowd season
- April, May, and December
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Wheelchair accessible
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- ✓ Annadanam
- Entry fee
- Free
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- 04:30
- Parking capacity
- 500+ vehicles
- Parking fees
- Paid
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, UPI, Online
- Prasadam
- Ghee (Neyyu), Appam