Kannur Sri Sundareswara Temple- Kerala

Address

Kannur Sri Sundareswara Temple Talap, Kannur, Kerala 670002

Deity

Sri Sundareswara (Shiva)

Introduction

• Sri Sundareswara Temple is one of the two temples in Kannur District consecrated by Sri Narayana Guru Devan, the other being Sri Jagannatha Temple in Thalassery.
• The temple is located in Talap, a suburban area in Kannur District, Kerala, 2 km from Kannur Railway Station.
• It was built to provide the Thiyya community with a spiritual sanctuary, following Satvik worship, free from the tamasic practices that were prevalent in the region.

Puranic Significance

• The Thiyya Community in North Malabar faced social degradation following the rise of Brahmanism in the 8th Century AD, similar to the Ezhava Community in South Kerala.
• Sri Narayana Guru Devan initiated a spiritual revolution by consecrating temples, empowering the backward communities to practice Satvik worship.
• Prominent individuals of the Thiyya community like Varathoor Kaniyil Kunhi Kannan spearheaded efforts to bring Sri Narayana Guru to Malabar, convinced that a temple was necessary for the spiritual upliftment of the community.
• In 1907, Guru Devan visited Kannur, and after much discussion, agreed to build the temple. The site was identified in Talap, where remnants of an ancient temple were unearthed.
• The temple was consecrated by Sri Narayana Guru Devan on April 11, 1916, between 3:00 AM and 3:20 AM during the ascendancy of the Pooyam (Pushya) star.
• Additional structures were added over the years, including:
  • 1938: Statue of Guru Devan, Dwajastambam (flag pole), and Deepastambam (lamp post).
  • 1939: Balikkappura (bali platform).
  • 1943: Gajamandapam (elephant hall).
  • 1946: Temple pond.

Festivals

• The main annual festival spans eight days and is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Meenam (March–April), beginning on Pooyam Nakshatram.
• The Aarat procession starts at 4 PM on the last day of the festival, concluding with an Aarat at Payyambalam Beach.

Century/Period/Age

1000-2000 Years old

Managed By

Malabar Devaswom Board.

Nearest Bus Station

Kannur

Nearest Railway Station

Kannur Station

Nearest Airport

Kannur

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