Rajarajeshwara Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Kannur airport is about 37 km from Taliparamba town.

• By train

  Kannapuram, Pazhayangadi and Kannur are the nearest railway stations, 12 km, 15 km and 21 km from Taliparamba town.

• By road

  A travel writer describes the drive to the temple as 25 km.

Rules to know

• Only Hindus are permitted to enter the temple.
• Women may not enter the Nalambalam, the inner enclosure around the sanctum, during the day.
• Devotees may not enter the namaskara mandapam, in honour of Rama's visit.
• A travel article says women may enter the sanctum only after 8 pm, in traditional attire.

Why devotees come here

Rajarajeshwara Temple stands in Taliparamba, Kannur district, Kerala, about 2 km from the town. It is one of the 108 ancient Shiva temples in Kerala. Legends say its origins reach back to a time before the Kali Yuga.

Legend says the sage Parashurama founded the temple long before the Kali Yuga, and that the sage Agastya installed the linga. Some of these legends hold that this linga is a Jyotirlinga. Legend also says Shiva gave 13 sacred lingas to Parvati or Sati to worship. Belief holds that Rama stopped here to worship Shiva on his return from Lanka.

The modern structure and its major renovations date to the early 11th century, with significant work by the Mushika (Kolathiri) kings. In the late 1700s a Mysorean army raided the temple and partly destroyed it. The sanctum is quadrangular, with a two-tiered pyramidal roof.

A 14-foot bronze Shiva statue weighing 4,200 kg stands on the premises. It is believed to be the largest bronze Shiva idol in India.

Tips for your visit

• The rail and air distances are measured from Taliparamba town, which is about 2 km from the temple.
• In front of the sanctum, with its two-tiered pyramidal roof, is the namaskara mandapam.

Questions people ask