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| Shree Rajarajeshwara Kshetram | |
|---|---|
 Rajarajeshwara Temple | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Kannur district |
| Deity | Shiva |
| Governing body | Malabar Devaswom Board[1] |
| Location | |
| State | Kerala |
| Country | India |
  Location within Kerala | |
| Coordinates | 12°2′54.17″N75°21′20.1″E / 12.0483806°N 75.355583°E /12.0483806; 75.355583 |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Kerala Architecture |
| Creator | Parashurama |
| Inscriptions | Malayalam |
TheRajarajeshwara Temple is aHindu temple inTaliparamba,Kannur district,Kerala,India, dedicated to the Hindu deityShiva. It is one of the108 Shiva Temples of Kerala and one of the Dwadasha Shivalayam (12 important Shiva temples of ancient Kerala, stretching from Gokarnam to Kanyakumari). It also has a prominent place amongst the numerous Shiva temples in South India.[2] It had the tallest shikhara amongst the temples of its time. The Rajarajeshwara temple has a top of about 90 tonnes.
Legendarily, it was supposedly renovated by Sage Parashurama, long before theKali Yuga commenced. Several centuries ago, it was renovated by theMushika (Kolathiri) 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 thenamaskara mandapam, but the temple has nokodi maram (flagstaff), unlike others in Kerala. OnlyHindus are permitted to enter.[3]
The Shiva Linga here is believed to be several thousands of years old. Legend has it that Shiva gave 13 sacred Shivalingas toParvati/Sati to worship.[4] One sage, Maandhata, propitiated Lord Shiva with intense prayers. Shiva was so pleased that he presented one of the Shiva Lingas to him with the injunction that it should be installed only at a place where there was no cremation ground. The sage, after searching all over, foundTaliparamba the most sacred spot where he installed the Shiva Linga. After his death the Linga disappeared into the earth.[5] Then his son Muchukunda offered similar prayers to Shiva and got a second Shiva Linga, which too disappeared in course of time. Centuries passed. The third Shiva Linga was handed down to Satasoman, a king of Mushaka/Kolathiri/Chirakkal Royal Family, who then ruled the region. He was an ardent devotee of Shiva. On the advice of sageAgastya, he prayed to Lord Siva, who granted him the Shiva Linga. The king installed it in the present temple built by him. However, as per many legends associated with the Temple, Agastya Himself installed the Shiva Linga (which is believed as per those legends to be a 'Jyothirlingam').[6]
It is believed thatSri Rama during his victorious return fromLanka stopped here to offer worship to Lord Shiva. In honor of His presence, devotees are not allowed into thenamaskara mandapam even today.[5]
The temple was attacked and partially destroyed by the Mysorean army when they raided the Temple in the late 1700s. The temple was repaired and reopened 100 years later. The Main Gopuram still remain in ruins.[citation needed]
In July 2006, Malayalam actressMeera Jasmine, aChristian, was found to have visited the temple despite the fact that non-Hindus are banned from entry. She later apologised and offered to pay money to perform purification rituals.[3]
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