The Vadakkumnathan Temple in Thrissur, Kerala is a classic example of Kerala temple architecture. It has a conical copper roof, laterite stone walls with murals, and woodwork throughout. The temple complex contains three independent shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and Rama within a walled compound. It is known for its rare temple murals, brass lamps, and the impressive Kootambulam dance hall used for traditional art performances. The architecture demonstrates typical Kerala features like a tiled conical roof and integration of stone, wood, and metal craftsmanship.
2. Kerala temple architecture
• Temple architecture in Kerala is different from that of other regions in India.
• The roofs are steep and pointed, and covered with copper sheets.
• The shape of the roof is in circular plan, one sees a conical roof, while with a square
plan the roof is pyramidal.
• The roof is constructed with wood and is covered with copper plates.
• The Keralite temple is an amalgam of stonework, wood work, stucco work and painting
- harmoniously blended into a structure vibrant with traditions of the region.
• The wood work here is of great importance
• The Kerala temple walls are of coursed laterite stone masonry plastered in mud and
lime. Murals are seen on several of these temple walls.
3. • An architectural marvel in wood and
stone, the Vadakkumnathan Temple,
one of the oldest in the state
• Vadakkumnathan Shiva Temple in
Thrissur, a classic example of the Kerala
style of architecture.
• The temple is situated in an elevated hillock in the centre of Thrissur City
• Surrounded by an Enormous stone wall enclosing an area of about 9 acres.
• There are four gopurams inside this fortification, each facing north, south,
east and west directions.
• Dedicated to Lord Shiva as Vadakkunnathan
Vadakkunnathan Temple
4. • Temple has all the features attributable to a
temple which has all the elements of the
panchaprakara scheme
In the Vadakkumnatha complex the three independent
srikovils in
North-south axis, are being dedicated respectively to
Siva, Sankaranarayana and Rama. These are
enclosed by a common enclosure (nalambalam).
The circular srikovil of Siva, northern most of the row
has its garbhagriha divided by a transverse diagonal
wall.
The western half dedicated to Siva has its own door
opening and flight of steps in front with a detached namaskara mandapam.
The eastern half is dedicated to Parvati, with the door opening on the east. The northern
and southern cardinal points have ghanadwaras.
5. • Display of rows of brass oil lamps around the
outer walls of the shrines.
• The architectural plan of these shrines is
peculiar, with the ‘Vritta' plan and conical brass
plated superstructure over it. The conical roof is
distinct architectural idium neccessitated bythe
heavy rainfall in the west coast.
• The tall and spacious Kootambulam (Temple
theatre) is an impressive structure, containing
exquisite vignettes of wood carving and
interesting bracket figures.
• Kootambulam Used for
staging Koothu, NangyarKoothu and Koodiyatta
m, an ancient ritualistic art forms of
Central Kerala Kootambulam (Dance hall)
7. MURALS
• The temple is famous for the rarity of the
temple murals, of which the Vasukishayana
and Nrithanatha murals are of great
importance and are worshipped daily. The
temple also houses a museum of ancient wall
paintings, wood carvings and art pieces of
ancient times.
• Has four magnificent gateways called Gopuram
sand the lofty masonry wall around the temple
quadrangle are imposing pieces of
craftsmanship and skill.
Gopuram
8. • The slopy conical roof of metal sheet covers these by
its over-hanging caves supported by brackets sprung
from the walls at intervals.
• The inner wall, rising further above the outer wall,
carries the immense conical roof or sikhara with a
single metal stupi on the top.
Square garbhagiha cell in
circular shrine
,Vadakkunathan temple plan
Conical roof with circular plan
10. Punkunnam Shiva Temple-
Located in the Thrissur district of Kerala, the
Poonkunnam Shiva Temple, a good model of the
Kerala style of architecture with slanting roof-With
the main idol positioned in the central area of the
temple(garbhagriha), the Punkunnam Shiva Temple
offers tourists a glimpse of other deities like
Parvathi, Ganapathi, Sastha, Nagaraj, and
Parthasarathi.
Thiruvambady Sri Krishna Temple. –
The Thiruvambady temple was originally situated in
a village 15 km away from Thrissur and the main
deity Lord Krishna, was, some five centuries ago,
brought to Thrissur. This caused the establishment of
Thiruvambady Temple at Thrissur.-One of the two
rival groups (the other being Paramekkavu Temple)
that participate in the Thrissur Pooram.-
