page_title: Rajarajeshwara Temple
section_title: Entering the shrine
hierarchical_section_title: Rajarajeshwara Temple / Traditional way of visiting / Entering the shrine
caption_attribution_description: മലയാളം: കണ്ണൂര്‍ ജില്ലയിലെ തളിപ്പറമ്പിലെ രാജരാജേശ്വര ക്ഷേത്രം English: Rajarajeshwara Temple temple located at Taliparamba
context_page_description: The Rajarajeswara temple is a Shiva temple located in Taliparamba in Kannur district of Kerala, South India. The temple is regarded as one of the existing 108 ancient Shiva Temples of ancient Kerala. It also has a prominent place amongst the numerous Shiva temples in South India. It had the tallest shikhara amongst the temples of its time. The Rajarajeshwara temple has a top of about 90 tonnes. If any problem is encountered in the other temples of South India, devotees seek a solution in this temple through a prasna, a traditional method of astrological decision making. The prasna is conducted on a peedha outside the temple.
  Legendarily, it was supposedly renovated by Sage Parashurama, long before the Kali Yuga commenced. Several centuries ago it was renovated by the Mushika dynasty kings. This temple was rebuilt into its present form in the early eleventh century. The quadrangular sanctum has a two-tiered pyramidal roof; in front of the sanctum is the namaskara mandapam, but the temple has no kodi maram, unlike others in Kerala. Non-Hindus are not permitted to enter.
context_section_description: On entering the eastern gate the devotee circumambulates the whole central shrine before stepping inside. Towards the northern side there is a small shrine of a guardian deity called Yakshi. Usually a Yakshi is considered to be a female spirit with malevolent propensities, but the Yakshi installed here represents a prosperity-giving and benevolent spiritual power. The figure is a life-size wooden sculpture of unique charm. The Yakshi is represented as looking intently into a mirror.
  After worshiping this guardian deity, the devotee proceeds towards the front of the central shrine and worships the Rishabha, the bull (mount of lord Shiva) outside the central shrine facing the lord. Near Rishabha is the Balikkallu of huge proportions, made of granite with many figurines and intricate carvings. Because of its great antiquity it calls for replacing it with a new one, maintaining its exact proportions and carving.
  While circumambulating the Naalambalam (the outer structure around Sree Kovil, the sanctum sanctorum), one walk towards the left side and from the Nirarithikonam (south-west corner) worships Goddess Annapoorneshwari of the famous shrine in Cherukunnu, a few kilometer away. It is believed that the Goddess at Cherukunnu is the wife of Lord Rajarajeswara. Standing on the west one worships Goddess Bhadrakaali enshrined in a renowned shrine of divine mother in Maadaayikkavu. Originally, it is said that goddess Bhadrakaali was worshiped in the western Gopuram of Sri Rajarajeswara temple and later the idol was taken and installed in the shrine at Maadaayikkavu.
  After making the circumambulation outside the Nalambalam the devotee enters the inner space around the sanctum sanctorum to worship lord Rajarajeswara's Jyothirlingam. As usual in the temples of lord Shiva, the circumambulation is performed only up to the theertha-channel, and it is completed with a reverse circumambulation up to the channel.
  As the custom, only men enter the Naalambalam during the daytime, while women standing outside. Women can enter the Naalambalm all days after the Athazha pooja is over in the evening. It is assumed that after Athazha pooja the lord is in an aspect of a very pleased and gracious disposition accompanied by his consort goddess Parvathi and his sons Ganesha and Subrahmanya — this is considered to be the most auspicious time for women to enter the Naalambalam as they get the occasion to worship the divine couple.
caption: Rajarajeshwara temple
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