Rajadhi Raja Temple Of Thaliparambu
By
P.R.Ramachander
(I have used the material given in Wikepedia in writing about the temple with modifications in several places)
By
P.R.Ramachander
(I have used the material given in Wikepedia in writing about the temple with modifications in several places)
The Rajarajeswara temple is a Shiva temple located at
Thaliparmba of Kannur districh of Kerala. This temple is also called
Thiruchellur and god as Chellur nadhan.The deity is also called Rajadhi Rajan.
The temple is regarded as one of the existing 108 ancient Shiva Temples of Kerala. It also has a prominent place amongst the numerous Shiva temples in South India. It is as famous as the Siva temples at Vaikom, Ettumanur and Vadakkunnathan temple at Trichur.. It had the tallest shikhara amongst the temples of its time. The Rajadhi Raja temple has a top a stone of about 90 tonnes. If any problem is encountered in any other temples of Kerala , the devotees seek a solution in this Temple through a prasna, a traditional method of astrological decision making .The prasna is conducted on a peedha (a raised platform) situated outside the temple.
It is believed that when Goddess Sati devi self immolated herself in the sacrificial fire of her father Daksha Prajapathi. The furious Shiva took her body and started dancing as if it was deluge. Understanding that things will go out of hand , Lord Vishnu cut her body in to pieces and it is believed that her head fell in Thaliparambu , and this temple was supposed to commemorate that event.
The temple is regarded as one of the existing 108 ancient Shiva Temples of Kerala. It also has a prominent place amongst the numerous Shiva temples in South India. It is as famous as the Siva temples at Vaikom, Ettumanur and Vadakkunnathan temple at Trichur.. It had the tallest shikhara amongst the temples of its time. The Rajadhi Raja temple has a top a stone of about 90 tonnes. If any problem is encountered in any other temples of Kerala , the devotees seek a solution in this Temple through a prasna, a traditional method of astrological decision making .The prasna is conducted on a peedha (a raised platform) situated outside the temple.
It is believed that when Goddess Sati devi self immolated herself in the sacrificial fire of her father Daksha Prajapathi. The furious Shiva took her body and started dancing as if it was deluge. Understanding that things will go out of hand , Lord Vishnu cut her body in to pieces and it is believed that her head fell in Thaliparambu , and this temple was supposed to commemorate that event.
Origin of the three
Shiva lingas
The story of the temple
A major legend about this temple begins with the visit of
the Puranic sage Parashurama, one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Seeing
there an ancient shrine of vibrant spiritual power in a dilapidated condition,
the sage was grief-stricken and wanted to know its history. Thereupon, sage
Narada appeared there and related to him the story of the temple.
According to it, sage Sanaka and others, the sons of the
creator Lord Brahma, churned the disk of the Sun to lessen its fierce heat.
They mixed the dust, which was formed while churning, with the divine nectar of
immortality, Amrita, and out of it gave shape to three spiritually to Lord
Brahma presented them to Goddess Parvathi, the consort of Lord Shiva. And these
were the ones that were given by Lord Shiva to the three kings.
And so the temple was built by Sage Parashurama long before the Kali yuga commenced., the architect being Viswa Karma, the architect of the devas. It is believed that sage Agasthya was the one who consecrated this temple. . It was renovated in the eleventh centaury and was renovated later by the the Kolathiri Dynasty Kings. 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 (flagstaff), unlike other temples in Kerala.
And so the temple was built by Sage Parashurama long before the Kali yuga commenced., the architect being Viswa Karma, the architect of the devas. It is believed that sage Agasthya was the one who consecrated this temple. . It was renovated in the eleventh centaury and was renovated later by the the Kolathiri Dynasty Kings. 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 (flagstaff), unlike other temples in Kerala.
Consecrations of the three Shiva linga by
king Mandatha King Muchukunda and
king Shatasoma
There are also other stories about the origin of the temple.
It seems king
Mandatha did great penance to please Lord Shiva and when Lord Shiva came in front
of him, he presented the lking with a great Shiva Linga and ordered him to
consecrate it in a place where there was no cremation ground. After great
search, king Mandatha located Thaliparambu and consecrated there and after his
death that Shiva LInga was covered by earth. Later King Muchukunda did penance
to please Lord Shiva and at the end Lord Shiva gave him a Shiva linga with the
same condition that was imposed on Mandatha. He also consecrated it in
Thaliparamba and after his salvation that Shiva Linga also vanished. Later
a king(sage) called Satha soma also pleased Lord Shiva by penance
, and Lord Shiva blessed him saying that the Shiva Linga with the same
instructions. As per the earlier practice when this idol was also sinking in
earth, Sathasoman lit a lap of Ghee and then the God stood firm. Due to this
the most important offering to God in this temple is a pot of Ghee. This pot
could be earthern or made of silver or gold. The ghee has to be left on the
steps of the sanctum sanctorum and is used to keep burning the ghee lamp before
the Lord..This was the idol which is being worshipped in Rajadhi Raja Temple of
Thaliparamba.
Another story is
that after this has taken place
naturally Shatasoma also came to the
same spot where Maandhatha had installed the first Shivalingam. He installed
his Shivalingam at the same spot. This Shivalingam was also eventually
dissolved into the earth again reinforcing the spot spiritually. While
installing, this Lingam also began sinking into the earth. King Shathasoman
there upon prayed for Sage Agasthya's help. The sage appeared and after
lighting a ghee lamp prostrated before the Shivalingam twelve times and when he
begun the thirteenth prostration, the Lingam got firmly fixed on the earth
therefore the number of prostration the Sage Agasthya performed for his purpose
came to be known as twelve and a half. Thus with the installation of the third
Shivalingam has sacred spot became spiritually vibrant threefold.
Lord Rama’s visit
to the temple
It is believed that when Sri Rama after killing Ravana was returning back to Ayodhya in the Pushpaka Vimana, his plane stopped just above the Thaliparamba temple , Relising the presence of a divine power Sri Rama got down and did Sashtanga Namaskaram to Lord Shiva in the Namaskara Mandapam of the temple. So no one including Brahmins are permitted to climb up this Namaskara Mandapam.,
It is believed that when Sri Rama after killing Ravana was returning back to Ayodhya in the Pushpaka Vimana, his plane stopped just above the Thaliparamba temple , Relising the presence of a divine power Sri Rama got down and did Sashtanga Namaskaram to Lord Shiva in the Namaskara Mandapam of the temple. So no one including Brahmins are permitted to climb up this Namaskara Mandapam.,
Visit of the great scholar Udhanda Sastrigal
Another interesesting story of the temple is that about the visit of Udhanda Sastrigal(a great scholar from Tamil Nadu) to this temple. This learned man from Tamil Nadu did not fold his hands in salute before any God because he was a strict follower of Advaitha. But when he visited the Raja raja temple, seeing the great power oozing out of the God, involuntarily , his hands folded in salute .
Here Lord Shiva worshipped in this sacred temple is known as Rajadhi Raja or Sree Rajarajeswara, which means the Emperor of Emperors or the Lord Supreme. The name signifies the supreme transcendental power in the background of mysterious drama of the boundless universe. That power is invoked here as Lord Rajarajeshwara. Devotees address the lord with such royal appellations as Perumthrikovilappan, Perum-chelloorappan and Thampuraan Perumthrikkovilappan.
Another great practice of this temple is recognizing great writers and scholars and presenting them with a gold armlet
Traditional way of
visiting the temple
According to the traditional system of visiting this temple the devotee first worship Lord Krishna at the shrine of Vasudevapuram located at the southern bank of the vast temple tank known as Aashraamath-chira, where there is a beautiful idol of Krishna playing the flute. The sweet melody from Krishna's flute symbolizes the supreme spiritual harmony that prevails in the background of the universe of diversities, which one can experience by spiritually elevating oneself. Worship of lord Krishna before entering the great temple of lord Shiva symbolizes the essential unity of lord Vishnu and lord Shiva as two aspects of the supreme reality. There are other special features also in this temple that highlight this unity. It is believed that there was an Aashram of sage Agasthya on the bank of this temple tank. The tank was reconstructed in the present stage, it is said about 460 years ago by a devotee, Chittoor Namboodiripad.
Then, proceeding towards Sree Rajarajeswara temple one worship at the shrine of Sree Bhoothanatha (Kumbhodhara), who is the chief lieutenant of lord Shiva. Kumbhodhara is also known as Aravathappan. The two deities mentioned above, Sri Krishna and Sri Bhoothanatha, are considered as the accompanying deities of lord Rajarajeswara.
Sree Rajarajeswara temple is located in the centre of very spacious compound of about six acres surrounded by a compound wall with two Gopurams, located on the eastern and western sides. The ancient compound wall itself is a wondrous architectural marvel built of huge cut stones just placed one above the other without any cementing mortar, board at the base and tapering towards the top.
The main gate is on the east before one enters the temple one turns eastwards and offers prayers to lord Vaidyanatha (kanhirangaatt-appan), an aspect of lord Shiva worshipped as the lord of physicians, enshrined in temple about 6 km from Rajarajeswara temple.
On entering the eastern gate the devotee makes a circumambulation of the whole central shrine before stepping inside the shrine. 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 one who is intently into a mirror.
After worshipping this guardian deity the devotee, proceeds towards the front of the central shrine and worships the Rishabha, the bull – mount of lord Shiva out side 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, and standing on the west one worships Goddess Bhadrakaali enshrined in another renowned shrine of divine mother in Maadaayikkavu. Originally, it is said, that goddess Bhadrakaali was worshipped 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 day time, 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 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.
Inside the Naalambalam
The sanctum sanctorum with its majestic proportions is a fine example of the temple architectural style of Kerala. The two-tiered sanctum sanctorum is rectangular in shape with copper sheets laid on the roof. The roof tapers to culminate in a beautiful gold Kalasham.
The sanctum sanctorum has four doors, one on each side. The doors on the east and south only are opened. The eastern doors opens to the presence of lord Rajarajeshwara, represented by the majestic Jyothirlingam. An array of ghee lamps dangle on both sides of the Jyothirlingam. The Bhadradeepam, a ghee lamp lighted by sage Agasthya, the most auspicious lamp with a conspicuous flame is seen on the left side of the Jyothirlingam. On the floor there are rows of silver nilavilakku the ghee lamps, on both sides of the Jyothirlingam.
Most of the time the Jyothirlingam is decorated with the insignia of lord Shiva – the thrinethrams –the three eyes, the crescent moon and the Nagaphanam. In the background is a golden Prabha and above is a Vyaalimukham, the face of a mythical being. A Balibimbam or Uthsavamoorthi, which represents the Jyothirlingam, and taken out for worship during special ceremonies, is placed in front. Both these are jointly decorated with an embossed golden sheet, ornaments and with a Navarathna pendant of precious stones.
Only on two occasions every day one can have the direct sight of the Jyothirlingam. In the early morning, at 5.30, during Nirmalyam, when the decorations of the previous day are removed for the first abhishekam, the devotee can have the direct darshanam of the Jyothirlingam which is covered on the top with a golden cup called Golaka. The base of the Jyothirlingam is also covered with a gold sheet. This Nirmalya darshanam is known as Kani, which is very auspicious. One can also directly see the Jyothirlingam again at 9.30 AM when the decorations are removed again after the third pooja of the day for the Navakaabhishekam, also knows as kalashaabhishekam.
The door on the southern side of the sanctum sanctorum is also opened. At this seat is lord Shiva is worshipped as Sri Dakshinamoorthi, the first preceptor. There is no idol here, but only a mural painting of Sri Dakshinamoorthi.
On the west of the sanctum sanctorum is the seat of divine mother Pravathi, the consort of lord Shiva. The door here is permanently closed. There is a symbolic legend regarding the permanent closure of this door. This legend is related to the active presence of both Shiva and Vishnu aspects of reality in this shrine.
Other legends
about the temple
Like many a temple legend this aspect is also symbolized by a very personalized legend relating to lord Shiva and lord Vishnu through an interesting story. According to it, once Goddess Mahalakshmi, consort of lord Vishnu, came to the shrine to pay obeisance to lord Rajarajeshwara. On seeing the arrival of Mahalakshmi, the lord decided that there should be her prosperity-bestowing presence also in the shrine. Therefore, the lord immediately assumed the form of Mahavishnu and goddess Mahalakshmi entered the sanctum sanctorum presuming that it was her lord and seated beside him. And only when lord Shiva assumed his original form did Mahalakshmi realize the mistake. After paying her respects to the lord, she was about to make a hurried exit through the back door when lord Shiva ordered his attendants, the Bhoothaganas, to permanentely close the door on western side at the seat of goddess Parvathi so that the aspect of material prosperity which goddess Mahalakshmi represented should also be vibrant in the shrine for the benefit of the worshippers.
Later, when lord Vishnu arrived at the temple in search of his consort, lord Shiva's attendants prayed to him to allow the presence of goddess Lakshmi also in the temple for the benefit of the devotees, which lord Vishnu gladly conceded to before taking his consort along with him.
The legend thus signifies in a way interesting to the common people the special message that the spiritual presence in the shrine benefits the devotees for their material and spiritual well being. Signifying this combination of the Shaiva and Vaishnava aspects in the shrine, twice a year, during Shivaratri and Vishnu, the Uthsavamoorthi of the nearby renowned Srikrishna temple of Trichambaram is ceremoniously brought to Sri Rajarajeshwara temple.
The place Taliparamba is also known as Lakshmipuram and it is believed that the name is related to this legend. In some hymns to lord Rajarajeshwara the lord is also addressed as the Aishwarya prabhu, the lord of prosperity and Lakshmi Puraadheeshwaran the lord of Lakshmipuram.
The Uniqueness
According to Hindu philosophy, Lord Vishnu symbolizes the aspect of maintenance of the universe and lord Shiva its dissolution. Both these aspects are represented in the Jyothirlingam in this shrine and therefore the lord is called Rajarajeshwara, the lord supreme.
Because of the combination of these aspects there are deviations in the mode of worship of lord Shiva here. Here the lord is worshipped in the most transcendental aspect of Shiva known as Sadaashiva. Unlike in other Shiva temple where the Bilwa leaf is an important item for worship, it is not used here for the poojas, instead the Tulsi leaf is used. The Rudrabhishekam, which is common in most of the Shiva temples is not performed here. Insead of Monday, Wednesday is the important day of worship here. Unlike in other Shiva temples pradosham is not observed with special significance here. There is no dhaara, the constant pouring of holy water, for the lingam here in other Shiva temple. Some of the other distinctive features of this shrine are there is no Dwajasthambha here and there is no annual festival or ritualistic annual bath. The deity is never taken outside of the precincts of the temple.
Worship at the temple
On the northern side of the sanctum sanctorum is the sea of sage Parashurama. The door here also remains always closed. Daily five poojas are performed in this temple as in all Mahaakshetras. Early morning at 5.30 the floral decorations of the previous day are removed and Abhishekam takes place with the sacred water ceremoniously brought from a well-guarded sacred temple tank considered to be the Ganga theertham, specially maintained for this purpose. After the Abhishekam around 6 am the deity is adorned with flower garlands. This is locally known as the poochaarthal. The first pooja called natravat is around 7.30 am. The next pooja called pantheeradi pooja is around 9 am. After this, the decorations are removed and the Kalashaabhishekam with sanctified water is performed before the next pooja called Navaka pooja. The Navaka pooja is performed at the Mandapam, in front of the Srikovil. In most of the major temples this second Abhishekam and Navaka pooja are performed only on special auspicious days. In this temple these rituals are conducted every day. The next pooja, the Uchha pooja is performed at 10am and the Mahaa Naivedyam is offered.
Devotees offer Nai-amrithu and Nai-vilakku and pattrom all these poojas. Ponnumkudam and Vellikkudam, filled with ghee are offered from Natravat pooja onwards. Special prostrations known as Yaamanamaskaaram and Ashwamedha namaskaaram with appropriate manthras from Rigveda are very important offering for the lord. However, prostrations to the lord are not made at the namaskara mandapam. According to a legend, Sri Rama on his return from Lanka to Ayodhya prayed at this temple and offered prostrations to the lord at this namaskara mandapam and to commemorate this great event thereafter no one made prostrations in the mandapam. Devotee receive Thulasi and Vibudhi as the prasaadam. Thaali, the wedding pendant, is an important offering for goddess Pravathi. Turmeric powder is the prasaadam of the goddess.
With Uchha pooja, the morning poojas are over and the temple will be closed at 12 AM The temple opens again at 5 PM. The Deepaaraadhana is performed at 6.30 PM the last pooja, the Athazha pooja takes place at 8 PM.
There are four Thanthris belonging to four Illams such as Poonthottathil Pudayoor Mana, Eruvesi Pudayoor Mana Edavalath Pudayoor Mana and Naduvath Pudayoor Mana. The present Thatris are Brahmasri P.P.Vasudevan Namboodiri, Brahmasri P.P.Pandurangan Namboodiri, Brahmasri E.P.Harijayandan Namboodiri, Brahmasri E.P.Kuberan Namboodiripad and Brahmasri N.P.Narayanan Namboodiri
Shivarathri is the important and auspicious day celebrated with festivities. Several special poojas are performed on this occasion and the Balibimbam is carried on a caparisoned elephant and taken around the temple premises with the accompaniment of instrumental music and the recital of hymns. The Uthsava Bimbam of lord Krishna of the Trichambaram Sri Krishna temple will also be brought here and the Sankaranaarayana pooja, the worship of a combined from of lord Shiva and lord Vishnu will be performed.
Vishnu, the auspicious day, which is considered to be the beginning of the original Malayalam year, will be, celebrated from the previous evening, and at the night the presence of lord Krisnha of Thrichabaram temple will also be there for a few hours. Seeing the Vishnukani is very auspicious, which will have a protective influence for the whole year.
Puthari, a festival of the harvesting season, Karkadaka Sankramam (July) and Nira are other important days are specially celebrated in the temple.
The Rajas of Chirakkal in Kannur and the Zamorins of Kozhikode have been pious devotee of Sri Rajarajeshwara and some touching incidents are told relating to the intensity of their devotion. The Maharajas of Travancore used to make an offering of an elephant to the temple before ascending the throne.
A revealing incident is told about the celebrated logician of the 15 century, Uddhanda, Shastrikal, who considering himself as the worshipper of the attributeless reality, Nirguna Brahmam only, never used to fold his hands in salutations to any deity, a personalized representation of reality. When he happened to come to this temple and stood before the sanctum sanctorum, unknowingly as if by magic his arms folded and the palms closed together in obeisance to the lord, which in his own words "like a lotus flower closes itself on seeing the moon."
The temple has a tradition of bestowing honours by giving a golden wrist-band and title by the chief priest to outstanding people in their respective fields of work. Many persons in various fields have been awarded such honours.
Today, to this great shrine of lord Rajarajeshwara arrive many people the world over to worship the lord and to seek his blessings in their endeavours and professions and for the spiritual fulfillment of life.
The place is considered as most sacred for performing koodiyattam and Chakyar Koothu Whenever a new Koodiyattam is being directed, it is first performed at this temple. Only the "Mani (Māni)" family of Chakyars solely possess the right of performing Koodiyattam here. Legendary Koodiyattam & Chakyar koothu maestro, One of the greatest appreciation or award that an artist/scholar can get is the "Veerashringhala" (Vīrasringhala)- Golden Bracelet, from the temple, given by the unanimous approval of the scholar body of the temple. Guru Mani Madava Chakyar is the youngest and last person to get the Vīrasringhala from here. Ghee in small pots are offered to the presiding deity Shiva and are placed on steps leading to the sanctum. These are called Neyyamrithu in Malayalam anguage. Men are allowed to enter the shrine at any time, but woman are allowed only after 8 PM.
Though it is not practised as widely as it was in the earlier days, it is still a religious custom among many local Hindu women to visit three prominent temples in Taliparamba when they are pregnant. Apart from Rajarajeshwara temple, the other two temples are Sri Krishna at Trichambaramand another temple of Vaidyanastha in KanjirakkaD WHICH IS about 6 km from Taliparamba. It is believed that Shiva at Rajarajeshwara temple assures the child a high status, Sri Krishna of Trichambaram bestows it with good nature and mental qualities and the deity at Kanjirangad temple gives the child long life.
The Temple also had an ancient and large seven storey Gopuram (tower) that was destroyed by Tipu Sultan in the late Eighteenth Century.[4] The relics of this Gopuram is seen today lying all around the Eastern Entrance in the form of debris. Astrologers in nearby town of payyanur like Shri.Chithrabhanu k Poduval always finds this demolition in the horescopes/rashi charts of the people living in surrounding areas of this temple. It is believed that a snake bit the commander of the army who was about to destroy the temple, and following this, the temple was spared from destruction. However, several namboodiri families left Taliparamba and settled in Travancore.
Controversy
In July 2006, Malayalam actress Meera Jasmine was found to have visited the temple despite the fact that non-Hindus are banned from entry. She was made to pay Rs.10,000 to cover the costs of the resulting purification pujas.
On the northern side of the sanctum sanctorum is the sea of sage Parashurama. The door here also remains always closed. Daily five poojas are performed in this temple as in all Mahaakshetras. Early morning at 5.30 the floral decorations of the previous day are removed and Abhishekam takes place with the sacred water ceremoniously brought from a well-guarded sacred temple tank considered to be the Ganga theertham, specially maintained for this purpose. After the Abhishekam around 6 am the deity is adorned with flower garlands. This is locally known as the poochaarthal. The first pooja called natravat is around 7.30 am. The next pooja called pantheeradi pooja is around 9 am. After this, the decorations are removed and the Kalashaabhishekam with sanctified water is performed before the next pooja called Navaka pooja. The Navaka pooja is performed at the Mandapam, in front of the Srikovil. In most of the major temples this second Abhishekam and Navaka pooja are performed only on special auspicious days. In this temple these rituals are conducted every day. The next pooja, the Uchha pooja is performed at 10am and the Mahaa Naivedyam is offered.
Devotees offer Nai-amrithu and Nai-vilakku and pattrom all these poojas. Ponnumkudam and Vellikkudam, filled with ghee are offered from Natravat pooja onwards. Special prostrations known as Yaamanamaskaaram and Ashwamedha namaskaaram with appropriate manthras from Rigveda are very important offering for the lord. However, prostrations to the lord are not made at the namaskara mandapam. According to a legend, Sri Rama on his return from Lanka to Ayodhya prayed at this temple and offered prostrations to the lord at this namaskara mandapam and to commemorate this great event thereafter no one made prostrations in the mandapam. Devotee receive Thulasi and Vibudhi as the prasaadam. Thaali, the wedding pendant, is an important offering for goddess Pravathi. Turmeric powder is the prasaadam of the goddess.
With Uchha pooja, the morning poojas are over and the temple will be closed at 12 AM The temple opens again at 5 PM. The Deepaaraadhana is performed at 6.30 PM the last pooja, the Athazha pooja takes place at 8 PM.
There are four Thanthris belonging to four Illams such as Poonthottathil Pudayoor Mana, Eruvesi Pudayoor Mana Edavalath Pudayoor Mana and Naduvath Pudayoor Mana. The present Thatris are Brahmasri P.P.Vasudevan Namboodiri, Brahmasri P.P.Pandurangan Namboodiri, Brahmasri E.P.Harijayandan Namboodiri, Brahmasri E.P.Kuberan Namboodiripad and Brahmasri N.P.Narayanan Namboodiri
Shivarathri is the important and auspicious day celebrated with festivities. Several special poojas are performed on this occasion and the Balibimbam is carried on a caparisoned elephant and taken around the temple premises with the accompaniment of instrumental music and the recital of hymns. The Uthsava Bimbam of lord Krishna of the Trichambaram Sri Krishna temple will also be brought here and the Sankaranaarayana pooja, the worship of a combined from of lord Shiva and lord Vishnu will be performed.
Vishnu, the auspicious day, which is considered to be the beginning of the original Malayalam year, will be, celebrated from the previous evening, and at the night the presence of lord Krisnha of Thrichabaram temple will also be there for a few hours. Seeing the Vishnukani is very auspicious, which will have a protective influence for the whole year.
Puthari, a festival of the harvesting season, Karkadaka Sankramam (July) and Nira are other important days are specially celebrated in the temple.
The Rajas of Chirakkal in Kannur and the Zamorins of Kozhikode have been pious devotee of Sri Rajarajeshwara and some touching incidents are told relating to the intensity of their devotion. The Maharajas of Travancore used to make an offering of an elephant to the temple before ascending the throne.
A revealing incident is told about the celebrated logician of the 15 century, Uddhanda, Shastrikal, who considering himself as the worshipper of the attributeless reality, Nirguna Brahmam only, never used to fold his hands in salutations to any deity, a personalized representation of reality. When he happened to come to this temple and stood before the sanctum sanctorum, unknowingly as if by magic his arms folded and the palms closed together in obeisance to the lord, which in his own words "like a lotus flower closes itself on seeing the moon."
The temple has a tradition of bestowing honours by giving a golden wrist-band and title by the chief priest to outstanding people in their respective fields of work. Many persons in various fields have been awarded such honours.
Today, to this great shrine of lord Rajarajeshwara arrive many people the world over to worship the lord and to seek his blessings in their endeavours and professions and for the spiritual fulfillment of life.
The place is considered as most sacred for performing koodiyattam and Chakyar Koothu Whenever a new Koodiyattam is being directed, it is first performed at this temple. Only the "Mani (Māni)" family of Chakyars solely possess the right of performing Koodiyattam here. Legendary Koodiyattam & Chakyar koothu maestro, One of the greatest appreciation or award that an artist/scholar can get is the "Veerashringhala" (Vīrasringhala)- Golden Bracelet, from the temple, given by the unanimous approval of the scholar body of the temple. Guru Mani Madava Chakyar is the youngest and last person to get the Vīrasringhala from here. Ghee in small pots are offered to the presiding deity Shiva and are placed on steps leading to the sanctum. These are called Neyyamrithu in Malayalam anguage. Men are allowed to enter the shrine at any time, but woman are allowed only after 8 PM.
Though it is not practised as widely as it was in the earlier days, it is still a religious custom among many local Hindu women to visit three prominent temples in Taliparamba when they are pregnant. Apart from Rajarajeshwara temple, the other two temples are Sri Krishna at Trichambaramand another temple of Vaidyanastha in KanjirakkaD WHICH IS about 6 km from Taliparamba. It is believed that Shiva at Rajarajeshwara temple assures the child a high status, Sri Krishna of Trichambaram bestows it with good nature and mental qualities and the deity at Kanjirangad temple gives the child long life.
The Temple also had an ancient and large seven storey Gopuram (tower) that was destroyed by Tipu Sultan in the late Eighteenth Century.[4] The relics of this Gopuram is seen today lying all around the Eastern Entrance in the form of debris. Astrologers in nearby town of payyanur like Shri.Chithrabhanu k Poduval always finds this demolition in the horescopes/rashi charts of the people living in surrounding areas of this temple. It is believed that a snake bit the commander of the army who was about to destroy the temple, and following this, the temple was spared from destruction. However, several namboodiri families left Taliparamba and settled in Travancore.
Controversy
In July 2006, Malayalam actress Meera Jasmine was found to have visited the temple despite the fact that non-Hindus are banned from entry. She was made to pay Rs.10,000 to cover the costs of the resulting purification pujas.
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