The Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is a temple for the Hindu god Shiva in Vaikom, Kerala. The temple, along with Ettumanoor Siva Temple, Kaduthuruthy Thaliyil Mahadeva Temple is considered a powerful trisome. The belief is that if a devotee worships at these three temples before 'Ucha pooja', all the wishes are fulfilled. The Vaikom Mahadeva temple is one of the few temples which is held in reverence by both Shaivaites and the Vaishnavaites. Vaikom's Shiva is fondly called Vaikkathappan. The Shiva Linga here is believed to be from the ‘Treta yuga’ and considered as one of the oldest temples in Kerala where pooja has not been broken since inception.

On a *Vritchika - Krishna paksha – Ashtami day (According to Malayalam Era), the Lord of Lords and God of Gods - Siva the Paremeswara appeared to the Maharshi with his consort Parvati - the Jagat Janani. The Lord proclaimed, "This place shall be known as Vyaghrapadapurma", and disappeared. The world-famous Vaikkathashtami and all connected holy festivals are observed here even to this day on the same Vrichika – Krishna*- Ashtami. Pratishta of Kochalumchuvadu Bhagavathy Vyaghrapada Maharshi continued the Pooja in most esteem and devotion for some time and went on pilgrimage.Months and years passed. Sri Parasurama – the Chiramjeevi was going by the sky one day. Seeing good omens alighted here and saw a Holy Siva Linga emerged in water emitting heavenly rays. He could understand that it was the Siva Linga placed by Khara. Sri Parasurama thought himself that, the holiest and noblest Siva Chaitanya could be a great refuge for the devoted who wish to attain Moksha. He consecrated the auspicious Linga here with His earnest Prayers and recitation of Siva Mantras.

The most benign Lord Siva at once appeared with his consort Parvati Devi before Parasurama. He was so pleased that the Linga was consecrated with the Mantras by Parasurama – an avatar of Vishnu, his greatest devotee. Full of joy and gratitude Parasurama performed Siva Linga pooja there for some days. Then he himself built a temple here and entrusted a noble Brahmin of Taruna village whom he taught Pooja Mantras. The Brahmin had learned all the 28 Sivagama and wore rudraksha and bhasma. Parasurama donated the whole temple with Linga to Brahmins and disappeared. It is the belief that the temple and all rites and customs are planned and fixed by Parasurama himself. It is believed that the ‘Vyaghralayesha’ Siva gives His Blessings to the Devotees in three Bhavas or forms in the morning, noon, and evening in this Holy Temple. As Dhakshinamoorthy in the morning time, Kirathamoorthi in the noon time & Shakti Panchakshari in the evening.

One of the biggest temples in Kerala, the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple has a courtyard of about eight acres of land. The premises levelled with river sand is protected by compound walls with four Gopuras or towers on all the four sides. Eventhough temples generally constructed near perfect East-West direction (e.g., Ettumanoor and Kaduthuruthy temples), Vaikom temple shows a tilt of 5 degree in the North-South direction.The Sreekovil 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 Sreekovil, though externally it appears like a circular temple.This oval shape is evident when the width of antharaala is measured. Only Silpis with exceptional skill can execute such marvellous architectural structures. The remnants of the basement of Kooththambalam at the Sree Mahadeva temple, Chengannur also reveal that it was elliptical in shape. It is believed that both these structures were built by Perumthachchan.

The Mukha Mandapa - the first chamber is built in shaped stone and single piece woods. The walls and pillars are very strong. The Garbha Griha(Sanctum Santorium) – 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 Darsana of the Supreme Saiva Chaitanya from this Sreekovil without passing through a 'six steps' either from the Gopura or the Nada. It may be reminding us the Shad (six) vikaras (emotions) such as Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Madha and Mathsarya or the thantrik chakras as per the thanthrik Kalpana. This is well depicted in the famous Malayalam kriti, Naranayingane Janichu Bhoomiyil, written about the deity of this temple.  Source : Wikipedia

Trasnport

By Road: Vaikom is well connected with all major cities in India by road. KSRTC runs direct bus services to all major destinations within and outside Kerala. You can visit the website Aanavandi for KSRTC bus timings to & from Vaikom. Private bus services are also abundant. Inter State bus services are available from Ernakulam to Bangalore, Coimbatore, Mangalore, Chennai & Pondicherry.
By Train: Ernakulam Junction and Town station are the nearest major railway stations, about 35 Km from the town. You can also reach Vaikom by getting down at Vaikom Road or Tripunithura Railway Stations.
By Air: Cochin International Airport is about 60 Km away from Vaikom.