 The city is built around a rising ground on the apex of which is the oldest and largest Hindu Temple complex in the state, the Vadakunnathan temple complex, famous since the 8th century AD.The temple and the surrounding open area (called Thekkinkaadu Maidan), measuring about 3.6 hectares, are encircled by a wide circular road called the Swaraj Round.Like most of the temple cities of the South, the main streets and business houses are located around the temple grounds.