vaikkom siva teple

Vaikkom Siva temple is located on the eastern shore of Vembanad Lake. The name of Vaikkom become prominent when a Satyagraha campaign was launched in 1924 to throw open temple to the Avarna Hindus to whom they were closed.

The deity:
The installation of the deity at Vaikkom is attributed to the Rakshasa Khara. Lord Siva gave him three Lingams, which he installed at three different places including Vaikkom. The name VAIKKOM is the corrupted form of VYAGHRAPADAPURAM OR THE CITY OF VYAGHRA PADA. This sage worshiped the deity installed by Khara.

The Temple:

It is believed that Parasurama built the temple. He found the sacred lingam submerged in the water, on the shore of the lake. He stayed there for long, performed sahasra kalasam and mass feeding. Even today, 12 days festival is observed and sumptuous feasts is offered.

Ashtami festival:
There are two ashtami festivals-one in the month of Kumbham and the other in Vruchigam The later one is more significant and it falls on 13th December this year.
It is celebrated in commemoration of the fact that Siva appeared to the Sage and granted him boons at day break on the Ashtami day /eighth day after full moon.

On this day the image is taken out in procession, on elephant back. Several elephants escort the deity. At night the procession starts from the temple of Muruka at Udayanapuram and joins the procession at Vaikkom. Father and son meet, greet each other and then part.

The two elephants bearing the images of the deities stand facing each other. A conch is sounded the two elephants go one behind the other s few yards in the direction of Udayanapuram. On hearing the sound of conch once again the Siva’s elephant walks back while the other proceeds to his own temple.