Vadakkunnathan Temple

The Vadakkunnathan Temple, which is an architectural wonder in wood and stone, is one of the oldest temples in the state and stands tall in the heart of Thrissur in the middle of a nine-acre walled patch of green. This temple being centuries old beautifully depicts the rich cultural heritage that Kerala has to offer for which it also received the 'Award of Excellence' at the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. With a collection of beautiful Mural paintings, some of which are more than 400 years old, this gigantic 1000 year old temple and historical structure is famous for the Nataraja Mural near the main gate.

Taking a walk in the serene surroundings of the temple is going to treat you to a thrilling mix of the architectural beauty, culture, history, and heritage of the place. The structure to date displays its original colours without much preservation. The shrine of Vadakkumnathan is also situated there, which is covered completely under ghee for centuries, without any incidence of melting. The shrines of Mahavishnu and Shankaranarayan are also located in the temple. It features one of the largest Dance Hall, called Koothambalam which depict unique Keralan architecture. It hosts traditional performances called Nangyar Koothu. Just outside the temple complex are situated the Thiruvambadi Krishna Temple and Paramekkavu Devi Temple, which are considered to be the sister temples of Vadakummnathan. This Temple is strictly open to Hindus. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside, but they can stand outside and look at the photos from there.