Rajarajeswara Temple is situated 20 km from Kannur of (Kannur district]] of Kerala state, south India. It is near Taliparamba town, famous for its spices trade. The temple is believed to have got the name from Thiru Shambara or the holy shambara in reverence to Maharishi Shambara.
The deity of the temple is Krishna. The sculptures on the walls of the sanctum sanctorum are a class by themselves. The temple also contains one of the most exquisite collection of mural paintings in south India. Trichambaram Temple has three ponds attached to it, with the temple for Durga being surrounded by water on all sides.
The Rajarajeswara temple in Thaliparamba in Kannur district is one of the famous Shiva Temples in Kerala in general and in North Malabar in particular. This temple is also known ‘THRICHAMBARAM’ temple for the devotees in and around Kannur and Kasargod districts. Devotees are coming to the Rajarajeswara Temple not only from these twin districts but even from other districts also. Few months back when there was a crisis in the Karnataka government, the Chief Minister of Karnataka - our neighboring state - Shri B.S. Yediyurappa visited the temple for the blessings of Lord Rajarajeswara. Few years back the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Smt. Jayalalitha have donated an elephant to the temple as a mark of her extreme religious zeal and affection to the Thrichambarathappan. In the main deity of this temple is both Lord Vishnu – the creator and maintainer of Universe – and Lord Shiva – the terminator - are represented and therefore the temple is called Shree Rajarajeswara – the Lord of Supreme.
History Behind The Rajarajeswara Temple:
The Shiva Lingam here is believed to be several thousands of years old. The story of the temple goes like this. A sage started praying lord Shiva. Lord Shiva pleased with the prayer (Thapuss) and presented one Shiva Lingam to him and said that the Shiva Lingam should be installed in such a place where there is no burial ground. After a long search, he found a suitable place to install the Shiva Lingam in Thaliparamba. Another story being told is that Lord Shiva gave three sacred Shiva Lingam to Parvathi for worship. Once upon a time a sage – Maandhata - won the favour of Lord Shiva with intense prayers. Siva was so pleased that he presented one of the Siva Lingams to him with the restriction that it should be installed only at a place where there was no burial ground. The sage, after searching all over, found the place Thaliparamna the most sacred spot and installed the Lings in Thaliparamba.
Location : Sree Rajarajeswara Temple, Taliparamba, Kannur, Kerala, India.
Gods : Lord Krishna
Landmark : Thaliparamba is on the National Highway�17 and the Rajarajeswara temple is situated 23 Kms. northeast of Kannur city. From Kasargod 83 Kms towards south. The devotees coming from Mangalore have to travel about 135 Kms. south on Kasargode � Kannur route via. Manjeswaram, Kanchangad, Nileswaram, Payyanur, Pilathara, Pariyaram to reach Thaliparamba. The nearest Railway stations are Kannur and Payyanur. Plenty of busses are running to Thaliparamba from all the above places. The 21 days annual festivals start in first week of March every year. There are boarding and lodging facilities in Thaliparama city comparatively on cheap rate.
Festivals :
The annual Trichambaram Temple festival (Utsavam) is a colourful event. The fortnight-long festival begins on Kumbham 22 (March 6) every year with the kodiyettam (hoisting of a flag) and comes to an end on Meenam 6 (March 20) with Koodipiriyal (Ending of this festival). In between these dates, for 11 days is held at "Pookoth Nada".
The temple festival is attended by thousands of devotees every year. The decorated Idol of Lord Krishna and Lord Balarama are carried on the head by the priests and is taken on a procession to "Pookkothu Nada". Idol of "Balarama", brother of Sri Krishna, is brought from Dharmikulanagara temple at Mazhoor, 4 Km away from the Trichambaram Temple, accompanied by Melam and hundreds of devotees on Kumbham 22 (March 6).
It is believed that Sree Krishna and Balarama are playing together. One of the days during the Utsavam time, Idols of Sree Krishna and Balarama are taken through the village on a procession called "Nadu Valam Vekkal" . Only the eldest member of the Namboodiri family is allowed accompany the idols.
On 5th of Meenam (Malayalam Month) "Aarattu" (Dipping of Idols in the temple pond) is also performed. On the last last day of the Utsavam Meenam 6 (March 20) , Idol of Sreekrishna is taken to Trichambaram Temple and idol of Balarama is taken back to Dharmikulangara Temple.
In older times 'Meenam 7th Fair' was very famous where a large number of vendors participate and people used to buy most of their utensils and other items for the whole year.
Offerings :
Ayiram appam of Trichambaram Temple, a special kind of sweet offering made in thousands, is quite famous. This is the only temple in Kerala where women from Namboothiri families prepare the offering.
