Rajarajeshwara Temple, Taliparamba

The Rajarajeshwara Temple, about 2 km from Taliparamba town in Kannur district, is counted among Kerala's 108 ancient Shiva temples. Legend credits its founding to Parashurama, with Vishwakarma designing it and Agastya consecrating it, and the Shiva linga is believed to be thousands of years old. The present structure goes back to major work around 1010 CE, and the Kolathiri kings of the Mushika dynasty long maintained and developed it.

The square sanctum has a two-tiered pyramidal roof with a namaskara mandapam before it, and unlike most Kerala temples it has no flagstaff. A 14-foot bronze Shiva weighing 4,200 kg, believed to be the largest bronze Shiva image in India, has been installed in the grounds. Only Hindus may enter, and women are not allowed into the inner enclosure around the sanctum during the day.