Thrissur, Feb. 15 -- Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Sunday offered prayers at Vadakkumnathan Temple along with devotees on the occasion of Mahashivaratri.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity, the temple, believed to have been constructed in the 8th or 9th century CE, is considered one of the most important Shiva temples in Kerala.

In the centre of the temple there is multi shrined complex, besides the four Gopurams. The three key shrines of the temple have been dedicated to the Vadakkunatham or Lord Shiva, Lord Rama and Shankaranarayana. Lord Shiva who in the hunter form called as the Vettekkaran, besides other places is also worshipped in the Nalambalam area.

According to literature from the temple website, this religious plac...