The Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple, located in Vaikom, Kottayam, Kerala, is a significant Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. It is one of the oldest temples in Kerala and is renowned for its Vaikom Ashtami festival. Along with the Ettumanoor and Kaduthuruthy Shiva Temples, it forms a powerful trio of Shiva shrines. Devotees believe that visiting all three temples before the Ucha puja grants the fulfillment of wishes. The temple holds special reverence among both Shaivas (followers of Shiva) and Vaishnavas (followers of Vishnu), with Shiva here being affectionately called Vaikkathappan, or the Lord of Vaikom.
The temple’s Shiva Lingam is believed to date back to the Treta Yuga, one of the earliest ages in Hindu cosmology, and is considered one of the oldest temples in Kerala where the puja has been uninterrupted. The temple’s history is connected to a legend involving the demon Khara, who, after receiving divine knowledge from Malyavan, meditated for salvation. Shiva appeared and granted him three Lingams as a sign of His presence, instructing Khara to worship them for liberation. Upon returning south, Khara was unable to move the Lingams from where he kept them down to take rest, realizing it was Shiva’s divine will. He entrusted the Lingams to the sage Vyaghrapada, who was instructed to protect and worship them, ensuring salvation for those who take refuge in them.
Myths & Beliefs
On Vrichika Ashtami, according to the Malayalam calendar, Shiva and Parvati appeared before Vyaghrapada and declared that the place would be known as Vyaghrapadapurma, and vanished. This event marks the beginning of the Vaikkathashtami festival, which is still celebrated annually on Vrichika Ashtami. The temple of Sri Kochalumchuvdu Bhagavathy Amman, a form of Kali and consort of Vaikkathappan, is also associated with the temple.
Vyaghrapada continued the worship for some time before embarking on a pilgrimage. Years later, Parashurama passed by the area and discovered a lingam submerged in water, emitting divine light. Recognizing it as the lingam placed by Khara, Parashurama consecrated it with prayers and mantras. Pleased with his devotion, Shiva appeared and blessed Parashurama. Parashurama then built a temple, initiated a noble Brahmin from Taruna village as the chief priest, and taught him the rituals and chants for worship. Parashurama entrusted the temple to the Brahmin and disappeared, with the temple’s customs believed to have been established by him.
It is believed that Shiva, known as Vyaghralayesha (Lord of Vyaghrapadapurma), blesses devotees in three forms: as Dakshinamurthi in the morning, as Kiratamurthi in the afternoon, and as Shakti Panchakshari in the evening.
The closed western door
In ancient times, the Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple was owned by 108 families, divided into two groups, one of which aligned with the king. Tensions and disputes between the groups grew over time. One day, a member of the opposing group, Njallal Namboothiri, stormed into the temple during the noon puja to disrupt the ritual. He entered through the western door, placed his shawl on the door, and spat on the food offered to the deity, desecrating the offering.
As he left, Njallal Namboothiri was bitten by a poisonous snake while retrieving his shawl and died outside the temple. The western door automatically closed, and a divine voice from the sanctum sanctorum proclaimed, “This door should not be opened anymore!” Since then, the western door has remained closed, symbolizing Shiva’s wrath for the disruption of his worship.
Architecture
The sanctum sanctorum of the Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple is uniquely oval-shaped, with a copper-sheeted roof and two chambers, making it the only temple in Kerala with such a design. Though it appears circular from the outside, the oval shape becomes clear when measuring the width of the antharaala. This architectural marvel is believed to have been crafted by Perumthachan, a legendary architect.
A distinctive feature of the temple is that devotees cannot directly view the Shiva Lingam without first ascending a six-step staircase. These six steps represent the six impurities (vikaras) in human nature: Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), Moha (attachment), Mada (ego), and Matsarya (envy). By climbing the steps, devotees symbolically shed these impurities, signifying their path to liberation (moksha). This concept is famously illustrated in the Malayalam song “Naranayingane Janichu Bhoomiyil,” which celebrates the deity of the temple.
Vaikathashtami
The Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple is renowned for its main festival, Vaikom Ashtami (or Vaikathashtami), which is celebrated between November and December. The festival falls on Krishna Ashtami, during the Malayalam month of Vrischikam. It marks the occasion when Shiva appeared before Vyaghrapada, an event central to the temple’s significance.
