VADAKUNNATHAN TEMPLE

TRISSUR , KERALA
TRISSUR

MAP OF TRISSUR

LOCATION MAP
AN AERIAL VIEW OF THE TEMPLE COMPLEX
• The Vadakunnathan temple is one of the oldest and largest known temple in
Kerala.
• The temple is supposed to be belonging to 9 th century but the inscriptions
mentioned there are of 11 th century A.D.
• It is a triple shrine temple and the main shrine ( srikovils)is dedicated to Mahadeva
(Shiva).
• The main shrine is circular and on the north side of the inner court.
• Next to the shrine of Shiva is the one dedicated to Lord Rama. This shrine is
rectangular and two storied.
• Inbetween the shrine`s of Lord Siva and Lord Rama is the shrine of
Shankaranarayana or Hari-Hara (a combined deity form of Shiva and Vishnu).
Even this shrine is circular in form.
• Situated in the outer quadrangle is one of the finest Koothaambalam (a large hall
for theatre and performance).
• Another important feature of the temple complex is the four Gopurams or the
gateway.
SITE PLAN
MAIN SHRINE PLAN
SECTION THROUGH THE SHREE RAMA SHRINE
THE SHRINE OF RAMA
THE SHREE KRISHNA SHRINE
THE SHIVA`S SHRINE
 Another characteristic feature of
the temple complex is the large
rectangular hall for ritual
performance of drama. It is
called Kuttambalam.

KOOTHAAMBALAM
PLAN OF KOOTHAMBALAM
SECTION OF KOOTHAMBALAM
THE VIEW OF KOOTHAMBALAM AND DETAIL OF COLUMN AND RAFTER.
DETAILS OF CORNER
ROOF OF STAGE DETAIL OF BRACKET
GOPURAM

The Gopuram or the gateway also forms an important component of the temple complex.
Generally there are four gateways to the temple complex .
TURMERIC CLADDED DEITIES IN THE OUTER COURT OF VADAKUNNATHAN TEMPLE.
THE VADAKUNNATHAN TEMPLE DURING TRISSUR POORAM (FESTIVAL)
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
• GLIMPSES OF ARCHITECTURE IN KERALA – RAMU KATAKAM.
• INTRODUCTION TO INDIAN ACHITECTURE – BINDIA THAPAR.
• HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA : FROM THE DAWN OF
CIVILIZATION TO THE END OF THE RAJ - CHRISTOPHER TADGELL.
• RSP : TRICHUR : VADAKKUNATHAN TEMPLE –S SHIVKUMAR (GUIDE)
AND B SACHDEV.