Trichambaram Sree Krishna Temple

Getting there

• By air

  The nearest airport is at Kannur, about 37 km from Taliparamba town.

• By train

  The nearest stations are Kannapuram, Pazhayangadi and Kannur, 12 to 21 km from Taliparamba town.

• By road

  The temple is about 20 km from Kannur, near Taliparamba town on the National Highway. It lies about 3 km south of Taliparamba.

Rules to know

• Elephants are not allowed into the temple.

Why devotees come here

Trichambaram Sree Krishna Temple stands about 3 km south of Taliparamba town in Kannur district, Kerala. The main deity is Krishna in his fierce Raudra posture, shown after he defeated Kamsa. It is among the Abhimana Kshethrams, a list of holy Vaishnavite shrines.

Trichambaram is a sacred place of the Vaishnava tradition, and it is among the most historic temples in Kannur district. The idol shows Krishna in his Raudra posture, the ferocious form he took after Kamsavadham.

The temple is believed to have been built in the 10th century, and it is mentioned in the 11th century Sanskrit kavya Mushikavamsa. The two-storeyed sanctum houses the idol of Krishna and holds murals and carvings from the 15th and 16th centuries. It is believed that Kamsa sent elephants to kill Krishna, so elephants are not allowed into the temple.

Inside the complex, a shrine to Durga stands in the middle of a tank. It is one of the 108 Durgalayas of ancient Kerala. During the festival, the ritual art of Thidampu nritham is performed in front of the temple.

Festivals

• Kumbham 22 (around 6 March) to Meenam 6 (around 20 March)Annual temple festival (Utsavam)

  A two-week festival that opens with the Kodiyettam flag hoisting and closes with the Koodipiriyal ceremony.

• For 11 days during the festivalThitambu Nriththam

  A dance with the idols of Krishna and Balarama, held at Pookoth Nada, 1 km from the temple.

Tips for your visit

• Look for the Durga shrine inside the complex, which stands in the middle of a tank.
• Visit during the festival in March to see the Thidampu nritham performed in front of the temple.

Questions people ask