Legend of Rajarajeswara Temple- taliparamba kerala( from wikipedia)
Taliparamba is regarded as one of the ancient Shakti Peethams. Legend has it that the head of Sati fell here after Shiva's tandavam following Sati's self-immolation.
The Shiva linga here is believed to be thousands of years old. Legend has it that Siva gave three sacred Sivalingas to Parvati for worship. Once sage Maandhata propitiated Lord Siva with intense prayers. Siva was so pleased that he presented one of the Sivalingas to him with the injunction that it should be installed only at a place where there was no cremation ground. The sage, after searching all over, found Taliparamba the most sacred spot where he installed the linga.
After his death the linga however disappeared into the earth. Then his son Muchukunda offered similar prayers to Siva and got a second linga, which too disappeared in course of time. Centuries passed. The third Shivalinga was handed down to Satasoman, a king of Mushaka (Kolathunad) dynasty who then ruled the region. He was an ardent devotee of Siva. On the advice of sage Agastya he prayed to Lord Siva who granted him the Shivalinga. The king installed it in the present temple built by him.
It is believed that Sri Rama during his victorious return from Lanka, stopped here to offer worship to Lord Shiva. In honor of his presence, devotees are not allowed into the namaskara mandapam even today.