Call us on: +91 9496 33 99 33

Kerala tourism Guide

Vaikom Mahadeva Temple
Pilgrim

Vaikom Mahadeva Temple

Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is situated 33 km south of Ernakulum and 40 km north of Kottayam. Nearest railway stations are Vaikom and thripunithura railway stations and the nearest Airport is Nedumbassery International Airport in Cochin which is 58 kms away. The temple is connected by road from all the nearby cities and towns. You can also reach the temple by boat from Thavanakkdavu to Vaikom Boat Jetty.

About Vaikom Mahadeva Temple

Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is in a small town called Vaikom in Kottayam District of Kerala and it is the most admired Shiva Temple in South India. This temple is situated on 8 acres of land filled and leveled with river sand and surround by a boundary wall with towers on four sides. The western side courtyard door of this temple is closed permanently for centuries and it believed that the Lord closed the door after a Namboothiri who disrupted the pooja got bitten by a snake and died outside the western gate. Vaikkath Asthami is the important festival of Vaikom Mahadeva Temple and Sandhya Vela is the main ritual of this temple done before the flag is hoisted. The inner shrine of the temple has two chambers and one has to cross six steps which denotes kamam, krodham, lobham, moham, madam and matsaryam.The deity here is also known as Lord Vaikathappan and Annadana Prabhu and the lamp in front of the sanctum is never put off. There is also a huge lamp known as Purakil Vilakku behind the deity meant for goddess Parvathy.

History or Myth

Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is one of the three ancient Shiva temple built by an asura called Kharasura. The presiding deity of this temple is Lord Shiva and the Shiva lingam installed here dates back to the treat Yuga. The other two temples built by Kharasura are the ettumanoor Shiva temple and Kaduthuruthy Thaliyil Mahadeva Temple. It is believed that worshipping at all three temples will make all the wishes come true. Another unique thing is that both these temples are equidistance from Vaikom Mahadeva Temple.

Tips or precaution

  • Take directions from a temple staff before entering the sanctum of the temple to worship.
  • If you are new to the area ensure that you take directions from a police aid post or tourism centre to reach the temple.

How to reach

  • flight
    BY AIR
    Thazhathangady Juma Masjid is only 56 Kilometres away from the Cochin International airport(Nedumbasserry).
  • train
    BY TRAIN
    You can reach by train from any part of India. Vaikom Road Railway Station is a major railhead that is closest to the mosque.(12 Kilometers).
  • bus
    BY ROAD
    The town is connected to other major parts of Kerala by different state highways, which in turn are connected by national highways to other major cities.
  • boat
    BY WATER
    Take a ferry from Thavanakkdavu boat jetty in Alappuzha District to Vaikom Boat jetty which is near to the temple

Highlights or specialities

  • Vaikathashtami festival
  • Closed door on the western side
  • Food served at the ootupura
  • Auspicious Koodippooja
  • Sandhya Velas rituals which includes Mukha Sandhya Vela, Pully Sandhya Vela, Perumpadappu Sandhya Vela, and Samooha Sandhya Vela

Tags

Sign up for exclusive deals