Vadeswaram Shiva temple (Vadeshwaram) is located at atop a hill (Keecheri Kunnu) at Keecheri - Aroli in Pappinisseri Village, Kannur district, Kerala. Shiva is worshiped in the form of Shivling (Vadeshwarathappan). The big sreekovil or sanctum sanctorum here is unique – Ashtadala roopam (eight petal) - ashtadala sreekovil. It is believed that this is one of the kind sanctum sanctorum. Mahashivratri and Thiruvathira in Dhanu Masam are the two important festivals in the temple.
The darshanam of Vadeswaram temple is towards east. The Upa Devatas worshipped in the temple are Dakshinamurti, Kiratamurti, Umamaheshwaran, Sastha, Ganapathy and Sri Krishna.
It is believed that the Ahiraneshwaram temple mentioned in Mooshika Vamsam (Sanskrit poem) is Vadeswaram temple. Poet Athulan mentions Ahiraneshwaram in Mooshika Vamsam as a shrine which only has a vigraham no structure.
As per history, the construction of the temple is associated with kings Vatukavarman (mushika dynasty), Aheeranan, and Sreekantan.
The temple earlier belonged to Chirakkal Kovilakam.
The main sanctum sanctorum is surrounded by eight smaller gopuras. The central sanctorum itself is a majestic work with a height of a three story building. The deity is placed at a height in the middle and a devotee has to climb stone steps to have darshan.
Another fact worth mentioning is a well in front of the temple. It's so deep that one can't fathom it by looking into it. There are a couple of abandoned wells too in the shrine.
Thidambattam is performed on the occasion during festival.