The temple was erected by Shri Narayana Guru in 1908. A statue of the guru was included in the temple complex in 1927. The Guru had a glimpse of his own statue at Colombo where it arrived on the way from Italy to India.it is a famous Temple. About Sri Varuthoor Kaniyil Kunhikannan's role in the foundation of Kannur Sri Sundereswara Temple narrated in Wikipedia. One such noble soul, Varathoor Kaniyil Kunhi Kannan heard many stories regarding the extraordinary spiritual activities of Guru Devan, and started looking forward to meeting him. After efforts of many days, finally he managed to reach a house in "Anju Thengu" where Guru Devan was staying. Next day he was able to have a discussion with Guru Devan at Shivagiri. He requested Guru Devan to consecrate a temple in Malabar, like those he had done in South Kerala, for the spiritual uplifting of Thiyya Community in Kannur. However Guru Devan asked him why such a temple is required in the land which is ruled by the Queen of England directly, with a lot of community members were highly educated, socially prominent and active in Arya Samaj and Vedanta Societies. Mr Kannan was able to convince Guru Devan that despite these, a large number of population are still following tamasic rites, and no one is guiding them to the right path. Finally, Guru Devan agreed to visit Kannur, in near future. Mr. Kannan came to Kannur and started working towards the aim with other prominent community members like Madhavan Master, Choyi Butler, Manikkoth Govindan Bhagavathar, Karyan Govindan Gurukkal, Chamakkali Kannan, Poovadan Krishnan, Chandroth Ananthan Mesthri, Oyatti Krishnan Vakil etc. They created an executive committee with Choyi Butler as president and Chamakkali Kannan as Secretary. True to his promise, Guru Devan visited Kannur in 1907 and stayed at the home of Kottiyath Choyi. The matter of temple building was discussed again, and before return of Guru Devan, a committee was formed with Cheruvari Karunakaran Tahasildar as president and Chamakkali Kannan as secretary. In a meeting held on 16 February 1908, Sree Bhagaval Bhakti Pradeepa Yogam was formally established. This organisation was renamed as Sree Bhakti Samvardhinini Yogam in 1913. In 1908, Guru Devan again visited Kannur on invitation of Chamakkali Kannan and Kombra Kannan Master. On his visit to see the proposed sites for the temple, when Guru Devan reached the proposed site in Talap, he said this is the ideal place and is a Temple Ground. Later during construction, remnants of an ancient temple was unearthed from this site. After selfless efforts by these noble souls, overcoming a host of hurdles including financial problems, finally the temple was constructed, and consecrated by Sree Narayana Guru Devan at a muhoortham between 3 AM and 3:20 AM on 11 April 1916, during the ascendancy of Pooyam star. Varuthoor himself has taken the first step to built a Temple at Thalassery now known as Sri Jagannath Temple.
The Temple
The temple is made in the style of Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha. The idol is made of Panchaloha by famous sculptor Thavarali.
