Rajarajeshwara Temple, Hindu temple in Kannur district, India
Rajarajeshwara Temple is a Hindu temple in Kannur district, India. The structure shows massive granite walls, four entrance gates, and several separate shrines for different deities spread across a large compound with paved courtyards and shaded colonnades.
The compound arose in the 10th century when King Raja Raja commissioned it as a place of worship. Builders from the Chola dynasty introduced their stonework techniques known from Tamil Nadu and shaped the architectural tradition of the region for generations to come.
The temple takes its name from Shiva in his form as divine king. Visitors today observe devotees walking barefoot across the paved courtyards after ritual washing, chanting prayers in a language that has remained unchanged for centuries.
The sanctuary opens daily in two shifts, early morning and evening. Visitors should know that special ceremonies take place on full moon nights and more people attend the temple, which means longer waiting times.
A sacred water tank sits within the temple compound where pilgrims take ritual baths before entering the main sanctuary. The tank draws from an underground spring whose water remains cool even during hot months and is believed locally to hold purifying power.
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