Vaikathasthami festival day – annual function held at vaikom mahadeva temple

vaikom mahadeva kshethram yearly festivals – Vaikathasthami

vaikom mahadeva temple is a popular shiva temple in kerala located at vaikom of kottayam district. the temple is famous for celebrating vaikathashtami. it is the grand festival celebrated in a grand manner ever in south india. the festival usually falls in malayalam month vrichikam. the temple has great prominence compared to other shiva temples in kerala, it says that the idol of lord shiva called shivaling which is a self manifested one so that it is called swayabhu linga. the swayambhu lingaworshiped in the sanctum of the temple.

vaikkom temple located at the banks of vembanad lake. the temple is a very significant one in the history of kerala, vaikom sathyagraha. the strike was for retrieving the common paths which opens for all peoples any caste exception. it was the first strike in india against religious discrimination. vaikathasthami festival lasts for 12 days in vrichikam month. the festival days may be changes to november or december months which varying according to the malayalam month. vaikathasthami is the annual festival of the temple.

aashtami day at vaikom kshethram is the day after full moon. on the ashtami night the image of lord shiva known as thidambu is taken out in procession and other deities from the nearby temples are also join in the procession, it is believed that during that day lord muruga from the nearby temple udayanapuram take a part in the procession to meet the father lord shiva. except the temple rituals there are many classical and cultural arts performed in the temple.Festival of belong to the annual festival as follows. nearby temples are, mahadeva temple eettumanoor, thirunakkara lord shiva , kumaranelloor etc.