Vaikom Mahadeva Temple

The Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is a sanctuary for the Hindu god Shiva in Vaikom, Kerala. The sanctuary, alongside Ettumanoor Siva Temple, Kaduthuruthy Thaliyil Mahadeva Temple is viewed as a great trisome. The conviction is that if an enthusiast adores at these three sanctuaries previously 'Ucha pooja', every one of the desires are satisfied. The Vaikom Mahadeva sanctuary is one of only a handful couple of sanctuaries which is held in love by both Shaivaites and the Vaishnavaites.

Vaikom's Shiva is affectionately called Vaikkathappan. The Shiva Linga here is accepted to be from the 'Treta yuga' and considered as one of the most established sanctuaries in Kerala where pooja has not been broken since origin. The sanctuary is one of the significant Shiva sanctuaries in Kerala checked alongside the Ettumanoor Mahade Temple, Kaduthruthy Mahadeva Temple, Chengannur Mahadeva Temple, Ernakulam Shiva Temple, Vadakkunathan sanctuary and Thirunakkara Sree Mahade Temple. The Vaikom sanctuary is acclaimed for the Vaikom Ashtami Vaikathashtami, one of its primary celebrations, which is held in November– December.

The correct date of the celebration is controlled by the Malayalam logbook. Vaikathashtami is praised upon the arrival of Krishna Ashtami. The legend behind this celebration is that years back a holy person man named Vyaghrapada appealed to God siva for quite a long time after numerous years God siva and his significant other Parvathy Devi showed up before him. It is trusted that god Siva showed up before him in the day of Krishna Ashtami. So as a memory of this Vaikathashtami is commended. It is the celebration stretching out for 12 days. Twelfth day is Vaikathashtami.