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Sukapuram Dakshinamurthy Temple – Ancient Center Of Vedic Studies

Sukapuram Dakshinamurthy temple is located at Sukapuram in Malappuram district, Kerala. The main deity worshipped in the temple is Shiva but importance is given to Upa Devata Dakshinamurthy. The belief is that the Shivling here was consecrated by Parashurama. The shrine was an ancient center of Vedic studies and yagyashala.

The darshanam of Sukapuram Sree Dakshinamurthy is towards east. The Shivling worshiped in the temple is big size and girth when comparing other Shivlings.

The temple has a two tier sanctum (sreekovil). The roof is covered with copper.

Goddess Parvati and Ganapathy are worshipped as Upa Devatas in the same sreekovil of Dakshinamurthy.

The temple is the gramakshetram of Shukapuram (also known Chowara) which was one of the 64 Namboothiri villages in ancient Kerala.

There are no festivals in the temple. The main offering in the temple is Chathusatham - offering 101 naazhy (a measure) rice to the deity.

Mahayajnam was held once in 12 years in the temple. There was a rule that yajna and yagam should be conducted only after taking permission from the temple. Information regarding the completion of yajna was to be given to the temple. The temple and the village was an important center of Vedic studies. In ancient times the priest had to be a Brahmachari who did not belong to Sukapuram village.