Vaikom Mahadeva Temple

Why devotees come here

Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is a Shiva temple in Vaikom, Kottayam district, Kerala. Devotees call Shiva here Vaikkathappan, and the temple is often called the Kashi of the South. Both Shaivites and Vaishnavites revere it.

Vaikom is in Kottayam district, one of the main pilgrim centres of southern India. It is one of the most revered Shiva shrines in South India and one of the bigger temples in Kerala. Legend says the sage Vyaghrapada met Shiva here, which gave the place its name, Vyaghrapadapuram. Another legend says the lingam placed by the asura Khara's right hand is worshipped at Vaikom. His other two lingams are at Ettumanoor and Kaduthuruthy.

Legend also credits Parasurama with building the temple and handing its worship to a Brahmin of Taruna village. The courtyard covers about eight acres, levelled with river sand and enclosed by walls with four gopuras, or towers. The round sanctum is roofed with copper sheets and has two chambers. The main lingam is about six feet high and made of black stone, and devotees pass six steps before they can see it.

Festivals

• November or DecemberVaikathashtami

  The temple's world famous festival, held on the Ashtami of the Krishna paksha in the Malayalam month Vrichika.

• 10th day of Medam monthKalackal Nandi festival

  A festival held for the Kalackal Nandi.

Tips for your visit

• The temple is under the Travancore Devaswom Board, at Vaikom, Kottayam 686141.
• Bhasma, the sacred ash, is the temple's most important prasad.
• Devotees believe that worship at all three temples of the trinity before the Ucha pooja fulfils their wishes; the other two are Ettumanoor and Kaduthuruthy.
• The courtyard covers about eight acres, with four gopuras, or towers, on its four sides.
• You pass six steps before you can see the lingam in the sanctum.

Questions people ask