Vaikom Shri Mahadeva Temple

Kottayam Kerala

#31 Among Things To Do in Kottayam

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Tags : Temple

Opening Hours : Monday - Sunday: 4:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Parking Fee : INR 10

Location :

Vazhamana Rd, Vaikom, Kerala 686141

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Vaikom Shri Mahadeva Temple, Kottayam Overview

The Vaikom Shri Mahadeva Temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Vaikom in Kerala that is dedicated to the God Shiva. Located in the Kottayam district of the south Indian state of Kerala, this temple is one of the main pilgrim centers of the south. The shiva lingam in this temple is believed to be from the Treta Yuga (the third age of Hinduism). Also, the temple is renowned for its Vaikom Ashtami festival celebrated in November-December. Remarkably, it is one of the few temples which are a worshipping place for both Shaivites and the Vaishnavaites.

Vaikom Shri Mahadeva Temple is one of the largest temples in Kerala, embracing a courtyard of around 8 acres. Notably, the Vaikom temple, along with the Kaduthuruthy Shiva Temple and Ettumanoor Shiva Temple, is regarded as a prominent place of Shiva. People believe that if a devotee worships these three temples before the Ucha puja, then all his wishes get fulfilled. The architecture of this temple is also remarkable.

This is the only temple in the state featuring an oval-shaped Sreekovil (sanctum sanctorum), though the Sreekovil externally appears circular. The first chamber is built in stone, and a single piece of wood and the sanctum sanctorum is built entirely with stone. Here, Lord Shiva is fondly called Vaikkathappan, the lord of Vaikom. It is among the oldest temples in Kerala where puja is conducted continuously without any break since its foundation.

Must Know Before You Visit Vaikom Shri Mahadeva Temple

Note :

The Vaikom Mahadeva temple has a dress code according to which men should wear only dhoti and Angavastram (no shirt allowed), and women devotees should wear a sari, salwar kameez, pavadai sattai, or churidar.
At this temple, the visitors get holy ash as the prasadam. It is known as Vaikkathappan amongst the locals, and it is believed that this ash can cure hysteria, poison, and wounds.
On worshipping Lord Shiva at noon, the temple gets closed until 5:00 PM.
Taking pictures at this temple (even on the outer premises) by DSLR or any other camera is restricted. If you want to take a photo with a DSLR, you have to pay a fee.
Here, food feasting, known as Prathal, is very famous. The cooking takes place in the big kitchen, and the food is served every day after the afternoon worship.
Notably, special worships are organized on Mondays and the occasions of Pradosha, Pournami, Thiruvathira, and Krishna Paksha Ashtami.

Vaikom Shri Mahadeva Temple Highlights

1. Annual Vaikom Ashtami Festival

The Vaikom Mahadeva temple is renowned for the Vaikom Ashtami or Vaikathashtami, which is one of the main festivals celebrated at this temple. Vaikathashtami is held in the Malayalam month Vrishc (Read More)hikam, on the eighth day after the full moon day, which usually comes in November-December. It is one of the most famous temple festivals in the state. However, other than this better-known Vaikkath Ashtami festival, the temple also celebrates many other unique festivals all year round.

2. Three Forms of Lord Shiva

The devotees believe that Lord Shiva is present in three different forms across the day at the Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple. In the morning, the lord is present in the Sri Dakshinamurthy form that is k (Read More)nown to grant wisdom, knowledge, and understanding abilities to the devotees. At noon time, the lord is in his Kiratha Moorthy form. In this form, Lord Shiva grants success & eliminates obstacles in all work. The lord is in the form of Shakti Panchakshari in the evening, in which present with his family, i.e., Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Karthikeya, and in this form the lord blesses the devotees with all the worldly pleasures. Here, the visitors have to go through six steps to reach the sanctum of Lord Shiva. These six steps represent the six emotions - Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Madha, and Matsarya.

3. Sacred Pond

There is a small pond on the north side of the Vaikom temple premises. As per a mythological tale, once Saint Parasurama visited this place to worship, and he saw people suffering. So, he asked Lord S (Read More)hiva to help and requested him to establish a Theertha. As per the belief, it is this pond that is created by Lord Shiva from the Ganges in his hair. People can bathe in its water to wash off their sins. Besides, there is another pond on the eastern side of the temple. This pond is equally good as the River Ganges and is known as Arathihara Theertha.