Taliparamba is a city and a municipality in Kannur district in the Indian state of Kerala. It consists of 47 villages which are spread over an area of 1330.56 square kilometers (513.73 square miles). It stretches from the coastal area of Ramanthali to Nuchiyard and Vayathur villages, touching the Karnataka border. The total population of Taliparamba is 458,580 of which 162,013 are males and 158,143 are females.
Taliparamba is a small town of only 67,000 people crowded into a small area of 43 squire kilometers. But the undulating hills that surround this little town make it exceptionally beautiful. The surrounding villages of Pattuvam, Kuttikkol and Karimbam are filled with lush green fields and little rolling hills. The rivers of Kuppam and Valapattanam surround the towns from all sides and the Arabian sea is only 14 kilometres to the western side. The hanging bridge at Kuttiyeri and the beautiful riverside temple at Parassinikkadavu attaract a large number of toruists. The Kannur University, Pariyaram Medical College and Sir Syed College are a few famous institutions in and around Taliparamba. The origin of Taliparamba is from the Perinchalloor brahminical settlement. Of the original 2,000 Brahmin families, only 45 remain now. The old name of Taliparamba was 'Lakshmipura' as this place was considered as an abode of prosperity. The 'Raja Rajeswara Temple' and the 'Trichambaram temple' are renowned places of worship. Today Muslims and Christians also form a sizeable portion of the population.
One of the prominent Hindu temples in Taliparamba is the Rajarajeshwara Temple, where Shiva is the reigning deity. It is believed to be very ancient and was supposedly renovated by Parashurama. Also nearby is the centuries old Srikrishna Temple at Thrichambaram. The month long "Utsava" celebrated yearly is witnessed by thousands.
Trichambaram Temple
Trichambaram Temple is situated about 1 km from Taliparamba town. The deity of the temple is Sree Krishna. The sculptures on the walls of the sanctum sanctorum are a class by themselves. The annual temple festival (Utsavam) is a colourful event. The fortnight-long festival begins on Kumbham 22 of Malayalam calendar (which generally falls on March 6) every year with the kodiyettam (hoisting of a religious flag) and comes to an end on Meenam 6 (which generallay falls on March 20) with Koodipiriyal (Ending of this festival). In between these dates, for 11 days, thitambu nriththam (a sort of dance with deities of Krishna and Balarama) is held at Pookoth Nada (1 km from Trichambaram temple).