STATES+
GOD AND GODDESS+
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33. Vaikom Shri Mahadeva Temple
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History of the temple
Vaikom Mahadeva Temple
The Sree Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva in Vaikom, Kerala, India. The temple, along with the Ettumanoor Shiva Temple and the Kaduthuruthy Shiva Temple is considered a powerful place of Shiva. The belief is that if a devotee worships all the three temples before the Ucha puja, all his/her wishes are fulfilled.
The temple is one of the few temples which is held in reverence by both Shaivas, the adherents of Shiva and Vaishnavas, the adherents of Vishnu. In Vaikom, Shiva is fondly called as Vaikkathappan, the lord of Vaikom. The lingam here is believed to be from the Treta Yuga, the third age of Hinduism and is considered one of the oldest temples in Kerala where puja has not been broken since its inception.
The temple is one of the major Shiva temples in Kerala held in reverence along with the temples in Ettumanoor, Kaduthuruthy,
Photos
Vazhappally, Chengannur, Ernakulam, Vadakkunathan and Thirunakkara.
Architecture
Mural paintings in the sanctum of temple
One of the biggest temples in Kerala, the temple has a courtyard of about eight acres of land. The premises levelled with river sand is protected by compound walls with four gopurams or entrance towers on all the four sides. Even though temples are generally constructed near perfect East-West direction (e.g., the temples in Ettumanoor and Kaduthuruthy), the Vaikom temple is built a tilt of five degrees in the North-South direction.The sanctum sanctorum is apparently round in shape roofed with copper sheets and with two chambers. In fact, this is the only temple in Kerala with an oval shaped sanctum, though externally it appears like a circular temple. This oval shape is evident when the width of antharaala is measured. Only builders with exceptional skill can execute such marvellous architectural structures.
The remnants of the basement of the original sanctum at the temple in Chengannur also reveal that it was elliptical in shape. It is believed that both these structures were built by Perumthachan, who was an exceptional architect of his time.The Mukha Mandapa, the first pillared hall and chamber is built in shaped stone and single piece woods. The walls and pillars are very strong. The garbhagriha or the sanctum sanctorum – the second chamber is built completely in stone including the roof in a square shape. It is a very curious and peculiar fact that we are unable to obtain the darshana of the lingam from the sanctum without passing through a staircase with six steps, either from the entrance or the sanctum. It signifies the six vikaras (impurities) which are Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), Lobha (power), Moha (attachment), Mada (ego) and Matsarya (envy). Crossing the staircase signifies the devotee letting go of these six impurities and attaining liberation or moksha. This is well depicted in the famous Malayalam song, Naranayingane Janichu Bhoomiyil, written about the deity of this temple.
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LOCATION
ADDRESS
TIMING
Wednesday |
4am–12pm, 5–8pm |
Thursday |
4am–12pm, 5–8pm |
Friday |
4am–12pm, 5–8pm |
Saturday |
4am–12pm, 5–8pm |
Sunday |
4am–12pm, 5–8pm |
Monday |
4am–12pm, 5–8pm |
Tuesday |
4am–12pm, 5–8pm |
CONTACT
Vazhamana Rd, Vaikom, Kerala 686141
04829 215 812
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