Vaikom Holidays

¤ Vaikom--A Place of Religious Significance

Shiva Temple

Also known as Dakshina Kasi, Vaikom is a place of great religious importance. A famous Shiva Temple in the area is its sole claim to fame. The temple is built in the Kerala style of architecture. While the garbagriha (a temple sanctuary) is surmounted by a golden stupa (dome shaped), a golden staff that measures 19.5m dominates the surrounding landscape. Traces of a few paintings might be seen on the exterior of the garbagriha. A 1m high Shiva linga (phallic symbol representing Shiva, the Destroyer) is the main deity of the temple.

The Festival Celebration

The temple celebrates two Ashtami festivals during the months of Kumbham (February-March) and Vrischikam (November-December). Multitudes of people come from far and wide to pay homage to Lord Shiva. According to the local lore, Parasuram, the legendary founder of Kerala erected the sacred temple at Vaikom. He is said to have discovered the sacred linga in the shallow waters of the Vembanad Lake. He consecrated the linga at the site where the present temple is standing.
The ceremony of Sahasrakalasam is still celebrated in the temple with great fervour and devotion. During the final day of the festival, a procession of the idol is taken out on the back of a magnificently caparisoned elephant. Other richly decorated elephants follow in the steps of the leader.