Sri Rajarajeswara Temple Kerala | Timings & Uniqueness

The Sri Rajarajeswara Temple, Kerala, is a Shiva temple in Taliparamba in the Kannur district of Kerala, India. The temple is regarded as one of the 108 ancient Shiva Temples of ancient Kerala. Among the temples of the time, it had the tallest shikhara. The top of the Rajarajeshwara temple weighs around 90 tonnes—timings are 5 am – 8.30 pm, ladies’ time is after 7.45 pm.

The quadrangular sanctum has a two-tiered pyramidal ceiling. Namaskara mandapam is in front of the sanctum. However, unlike other Kerala temples, there is no kodi maram (flagstaff). Only Hindus are allowed inside.

Prashnam (decision-making)

Devotees seek a solution through a unique way of astrological decision-making named Prasna whenever other temples in South India encounter problems. It has been performed on a raised platform called Peedha outside the temple. This temple is believed to have been built by Lord Parasurama even before the commencement of Kali.

Sri Rajarajeswara Temple history

The Taliparamba temple is one of 108 ancient Kerala temples devoted to Shiva. It is just as well-known as the Shiva temples of Vaikom, Ettumanur, and Trichur.

Taliparamba is considered one of the oldest Shakti Peethams. According to legend, the head of Sati (the Goddess/wife of Shiva) landed here.

Sage Parashurama is said to have restored it long before the Kali Yuga began. The Mushika (Kolathiri) dynasty monarchs renovated it several centuries ago. This temple was reconstructed into its current shape in the early eleventh century.

The Ever-shining Lamp

After hearing this account, Parashurama decided to renovate the temple and enlisted the help of Vishwakarma, the celestial architect. Agasthya muni appeared during the final stage of the renovation works, and after performing the abhishekam to the idol, he lit a ghee lamp, which remains burning with ghee offerings made by devotees in pitchers made of copper, gold, and silver, which has been considered an essential offering to the deity here.

The Temple Where Women Are Not Allowed Only At Night

One such custom is the entry of women post the Athazha Pooja or the night worship, which happens around 7.15 pm. While men are not allowed to enter the shrine during the daytime, women are not allowed to do the same; they can enter the sanctum only after completing the Athazha Pooja.

It is believed that after the Athazha Pooja, Shiva is in a state where he is delighted and has a gracious temper, accompanied by his consort Parvathi. Hence, this has been considered one of the most auspicious times for women to enter the premises, as they would get to worship Shiva and Parvati Devi.

Uniqueness of Sri Rajarajeswara Temple, Kerala

According to Hindu philosophy, Lord Vishnu symbolises the aspect of maintenance of the universe and lord Shiva its dissolution. Both these aspects are represented in the Jyothirlingam in this shrine; therefore, the lord is Rajarajeshwara, the supreme lord. 

• Unlike in other Shiva temples, where the Bilwa leaf is an essential item for worship, it is not used here for the poojas. Instead, the Tulsi leaf is used here. 
• The Rudrabhishekam, common in most Shiva temples, is not performed here. 
• Instead of Monday, Wednesday is the critical day of worship here.
• Unlike in other Shiva temples, pradosham was not observed with special significance here.
• There is no dhaara, the constant pouring of holy water, for the lingam in other Shiva temples.
• Some of the other distinctive features of this shrine are that there is no Dwajasthambha here and no annual festival or ritualistic annual bath. The deity has taken up residence in the precincts of the temple.

Famous visitors to the Sri Rajarajeswara Temple

• Karnataka’s former chief minister(CM) Yeddyurappa visited here many times. He donated an elephant to the temple during one of his visits.
• Tamil Nadu’s former chief minister Jayalalithaa had a special relationship with this temple.
• BJP President Amit Shah

Sri Rajarajeswara Temple Kerala Timings:

There are timings: 5 am to 12 noon; 5 pm to 8.30 pm (Ladies 7.45 pm to 8.30 pm).

Darshan Timings

These are darshan timings.

Days	Parts of the Day	Darshan Timings
Monday to Sunday	Temple Opening Timings	05:00 am
Monday to Sunday	Morning Hours	05:00 am to 12:00 pm
Monday to Sunday	Evening Hours	5:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Monday to Sunday	Rajarajeswara Temple Darshan Timings for Ladies	7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Monday to Sunday	Temple Closing Timings Hours	8:30 pm

Sri Rajarajeswara Temple Pooja Timings

These are pooja timings.

Days	Temple Poojas	Temple Pooja Timings
Monday to Sunday	Kanikku Thurakkal(Opening)	05:00 am
Monday to Sunday	Natravat Pooja	07:00 am
Monday to Sunday	Panthiradi Pooja	12:00 pm
Monday to Sunday	Ucha Pooja	09:30 am
Monday to Sunday	Nada Adakkal(Closing)	12:00 pm
Monday to Sunday	Nada Thurakkal(Opening)	5:00 pm
Monday to Sunday	Deeparadhana	6:00 pm
Monday to Sunday	Athazha Pooja	7:45 pm
Monday to Sunday	Nada Adakkal(Closing)	8:30 pm

Rajarajeswara Temple Poojas & Offerings

These are Poojas performing here.

S.No	Poojas	Price
1	Neyyamruthu	Rs.5
2	Pushpanjali	Rs.5
3	Neyyvilakku	Rs.10
4	Ponninkudam(Including Other Expenses)	N/A
5	Thrumadhuram	Rs.5
6	Vellikudam(Including Expenses)	Rs.700
7	Swarnapattam(big)	Rs.20
8	Swarnapattam(small)	Rs.10
9	Swarnathali	Rs.5
10	Swayamvara Pushpanjal	Rs.25
11	Aswameda Namaskaram	Rs.401
12	Yamanamaskaram	Rs.1700
13	Niramala(other expense extra)	Rs.700
14	Thulasimala	Rs.5
15	Deepasthambam	Rs.501
16	Chuttuvilakku	Rs.501
17	Theertham	Rs.1
18	Swarnaprathima	Rs.10
19	Velliprathima	Rs.7
20	Sadhanam Konduvannu Oppikkal	Rs.10
21	Choroon	Rs.50
22	Thiruvappam	Rs.100
23	Aanayoot	Rs.200
24	Annadhanam	Rs.3000
25	Annadhanam(including Sadhya)	Rs.6000

Tips for visiting Sri Rajarajeswara Temple, Kerala

• Women are allowed only after 7.15 pm. 
• Children below five years and non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.
• Men are to wear dhotis and are not allowed to wear shirts or carry them in their hands while entering the shrine.
• Women have to wear sarees and salwar only.
• Handbags or other bags are prohibited inside the shrine; one can keep them in the cloakroom outside the temple complex.

Tourist places near Sri Rajarajeshwara Temple, Kerala

• Trichambaram Temple
• Parassinikkadavu Snake Park
• Vismaya Amusement Park
• Trichambaram Sree Krishna Temple Pond
• Parassinikadavu Sree Muthappan Temple
• Payyambalam Beach
• Sri Vaidyanatha Temple, Kanhirangad
• Sahajeevanam Park
• Chootad Beach
• Palakkayam Thattu
• Varkala beach

Hotels near Sri Rajarajeshwara Temple, Kerala

• Metro Empires Hotel
• Hotel Horizon International
• Ramis Residency
• Dhoni Castle
• Mothimahal Residency
• Saras Park Inn
• The Galaxy Suites
• Beith Hotel
• Hotel Green Park Residency
• Malabar Residency
• Magnet Hotel

Sri Rajarajeswara Temple Contact Details

• Address: Temple Rd, Taliparamba, Kannur district, Kerala 670141
• Sri Rajarajeswara Temple: Official Website
• Phone Number: 0460 220 3457

How to reach Sri Rajarajeswara Temple

By Rail:

The distance between Kannur Railway Station and Rajarajeswara Temple Road is 23 km or 14.3 miles or 12.4 nautical miles.

By Road:

Poovam Bus Stop and Panniyoor Road Junction Bus Stop. From there, you can take buses.

By Air:

Kannur International Airport is near the temple.

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