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Vadakkunnathan Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Vadakkunnathan Temple is located in Thrissur and is one of the oldest shrines of Kerala. It is also a national building. The temple is spread over a large area of 9 acres. It has a paved walkway. The shrine also has a lot of greenery. The vast area outside the temple is Tekkinkadu. This word means teak woods.

The temple is over a hill lock. Tourists can get a beautiful view of the complete Thrissur town. Locals also call the temple as Thenkailasam and Vrishabhachalam. The temple won the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award. It got the award in the Cultural Heritage conservation category in 2015.

Vadakkunathan Temple

History and Legend of Vadakkunnathan Temple

The temple is associated with the golden days of Kerala.

  • As per myth, Saint Parasurama built this shrine. After creating Kerala, the saint went to Lord Shiva. He requested Lord Shiva to make Kerala his home. Therefore, Lord Shiva along with Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, Subramanya and other Ganas came to Kerala. But Lord Shiva suddenly vanished after reaching Thrissur. Saint Parasurama saw the self-manifested Shiva Lingum under a banyan tree. Therefore, people call this place Sri Mula Sthana. Years after this incident, the Thrissur king built a temple to place this lingam. This beautiful temple is the Vadakkunnathan Temple.
  • The locals also believe that the Adi Sankaracharya birth history started here. His mother used to walk From Kalady to Thrissur distance to the temple to beget a son from Lord Shiva. Hence, Lord Shiva blessed her with a baby boy. The boy name is Adi Sankaracharya.

Significance of the Vadakkunnathan Temple

The Vadakkunnathan Temple has Kerala architectural style. The different features of the temple are:

  • Besides Lord Shiva, there are other deities here; Goddess Parvati, Lord Sankaranarayana, Lord Ganapati, Sri Rama and Sri Krishna.
  • The temple is protected by a large stone wall. Also, there are four gopurams within the temple complex. Gopurams are gateways and have amazing carvings. The gateway base is granite. These gateways are at all four sides of the temple. They are at north, south, east and west.
  • The main temple and the gateways have wooden carvings and sculptures. The gopurams are like pyramids. They also have many roofs.
  • The Shiva temple is circular while the tower has one-tier. There are many pillars which are arranged in a unique way.
  • The Shankaranarayana Temple is also called the Harihara temple. This is just beside the Shiva temple. This shrine has two tiers.
  • There are three temples within the temple premises. One is for Lord Shiva, the other two for Sankaranarayana and Rama. There is also a separate temple for the Goddess. The temples have a square base.
  • The temple is beautiful with mural paintings. These paintings tell the stories from Indian religious books. It also shows stories from Puranas. The temple wall paintings show scenes from Mahabharata. It also has paintings of Lord Shiva in Tandava dance pose.
  • The temple also has a large theatre. People call it as Koothambalam. Enter the temple from the western gate to view this theatre. This building has a tilted roof, which is made from copper plates. The hall shows magnificent wooden carvings. It also has bracket figures. Chakyar Kuttu drama performance takes place here. This is a special drama that shows the rich culture of Kerala. This art started in the 9th century at Kerala.

Vadakkunnathan Temple Timings

  • The temple opens at 4.00 am and is open till 10.00 am.
  • It again opens at 5.00 pm and closes at 8.30 pm.

Vadakkunnathan Temple Food Timings

Devotees can have prasadam after worship. Moreover, the prasadam is free at the Vadakkunnathan Temple.

Dress Code at Vadakkunnathan Temple

There is a specific dress code at the temple.

  • Men have to be in white pancha and dhoti.
  • Short dresses are not allowed within the temple complex.
  • Furthermore, men need to remove shirts before entering the shrine.
  • Women have to be in a sari. Punjabi dress and churidar with a dupatta or half sari will also do.

Guidelines

  • You cannot bring children below 1 year within the temple complex.
  • You have to deposit footwear before entering the temple. There is also a free cloakroom here. People can also park cars.
  • Devotees can bring in mobiles but cannot do photography within the temple premises.

Festivals celebrated at Vadakkunnathan Temple

Thrissur is popular for its religious festivals and the largest festival takes place in the vast area outside the Vadakkunathan Temple.

  • Thrissur Pooram: This festival takes place during April or May. The festival started in 1750 AD to 1805 AD. Prince Rama Varma introduced this festival. Many devotees, almost in lakhs, visit the temple during this time. The unique part of this festival is that Vadakkunnathan Temple does not take part in the rituals or procession of the festival. There are other two temples that do the festival. One is the Paramekkavi Devi and the other is the Goddess residing in Tiruvambadi. At present many other temples also take part in the celebration. The fireworks during the festival are spectacular. Elephants are painted and decorated for the grand procession. Nettupattam is clothing sewn with almost six thousand gold plated metal pieces. Devotees place this at the forehead of the elephant. The elephant carries three people on it. While one person holds the silken parasol, the other two stand on the back. Music plays for two hours before the procession. The festival starts early morning. It goes on throughout the night and ends the next morning.
  • Shivaratri: Vadakkunnathan Temple celebrates Shivaratri with great pomp and show. This festival takes place during February or March. Devotees need to come in white dhoti to worship Lord Shiva. Tailored clothes are not allowed at this time.
  • Anayoottu: This festival takes place every year on the 1st day of the Malayalam month, Karkkidakam. It is in July. In this festival, people worship elephants and feed them.

Poojas and Rituals at Vadakkunnathan Temple

Vadakkunnathan Temple has some special customs.

  • There is also a defined process of worship at this temple. It is known as Pradakshina.
  • As you enter the temple you can hear the continuous chanting of ‘Samb Sadashiva.’
  • Every day priests offer 18.5 kilos of rice to Lord Shiva. This offering is Nivedyam.
  • Abhishekam takes place every day. Ghee is used to performing Abhishekam, lighting hundreds of oil lamps around the Shiva Lingum. This ritual is taking place for hundreds of years and this has led to a solid ghee mound encircling the Shiva Lingum. Devotees get a scrap of this mound as Prasada. Locals believe this ghee has medicinal and herbal properties.
  • Trippuka is the last ritual of the day. It takes place at 8 pm.

How to Reach: Road, Rail and Air

The temple is just at the heart of Thrissur and hence easily accessible from all parts of the country.

By Air: The nearest airport is the Kochi International Airport. It is at Nedumbassery and approximately 53 km from the shrine.

By Rail: The nearest railway station is Thrissur. It is at 3 km from the temple. All trains to Kerala pass through the place.

By Road: Thrissur is easily reachable through roads as well. You can drive from all parts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to Vadakkunnathan Temple.

Hotels in Thrissur: Where to stay

KTDC Tamarind Thrissur is a hotel sponsored by the Kerala tourism department. It is just within 2 km from the Vadakkunnathan Temple. The Joys Palace, KTDC Nandanam Guruvayoor, Mayura Residency, Hare Krishna Inn and Hotel Kanoos Residency are the other options for the tourists at Thrissur. These hotels offer clean rooms and basic amenities. The rent at these hotels is also less.

Where to eat

Due to thousands of visitors every year at the Vadakkunnathan Temple, various eat outs are found near the shrine. Reach Us Hotel, Hotel Bharat, Ming Palace Chinese Restaurant, Pathans and Hotel Elite International are within 0.5 km. Ela adai, pazha payasam, appam, puttuand kadalai curry are some special Kerala dishes that you can enjoy here. Thrissivaperror Kaapi Club serves awesome coffee while Fruitage is popular for fresh fruit juice.

Nearby Temples

Thrissur is a pilgrimage with various temples in and around it. It is also the cultural capital of Kerala.

  • Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple: It is at 27 kms from the Vadakkunnathan Temple. Every night numerous oil lamps are lit. It is also famous for Krishnattom dance form, which takes place every evening. The temple also features a unique ritual, Thulabharam offering.
  • Irinjalakuda Koodal Manickam Temple: This is just 21 km away. The presiding deity is Bharat. He was Lord Rama’s brother as per the Indian epic, Ramayana. This is a 9th-century temple. The temple celebrates Medam. It takes place for 10 days in April or May. Visitors also witness various Kerala art forms in this festival.
  • Paramekkavu Kshetram: This temple is at the foothill of the Vadakkunnathan Temple. This temple also participates in the Thrissur Pooram festival.
  • Kodungallur Bhagavathi Temple: This temple is behind the Vadakkunnathan Temple. The deity also has other names, like Kannagi and Bhadrakali. Bharani is the main festival here. The celebration takes place in March or April.
  • Thiruvembadi Temple: This temple is in the middle of the Thrissur city. The shrine is for Lord Krishna. This temple also celebrates Navaratri and Sree Krishna Jayanti.
  • Peringottukara Somashekhara Temple: This temple worships Lord Shiva. It is at 22 km from the main Thrissur town. Also at this temple, Maha Shivaratri is the main festival.
  • Arattupuzha Temple: This temple is 16 km away. Lord Dharma Sastha is the main deity. Moreover, 41 temples participate in the temple festival. A gorgeous procession takes place in the festival. Decked up elephants carry the deities round the temple during the procession.
  • Shree Rama Festival: Lord Rama is in the form of Chaturbhuja in this shrine. Locals call the deity as Trimurthy. Furthermore, it is a combination of Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.
  • Urakam Amma Thiuvadi Temple: This temple is 12 km from Thrissur. It is the oldest temple of the place. There is a custom of cleaning the idol with peacock feathers at this temple. Moreover, locals believe that the Goddess can protect the place from disasters.

Besides worshipping at the Vadakkunnathan Temple, tourists can also check out the cultural life of Kerala at the Cheruthuruthy dance school. This is just at 30 km from the temple.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, and History

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Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple located in Kerala is a heaven for people seeking peace. Lord Krishna is the main deity of the temple. People call the deity as Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy at this temple. Also, Lord Krishna is Lord Vishnu’s other image. There is also a story behind the name of God. Lord Krishna rode the chariot of warrior Arjuna during a battle. Hence people call Him Parthasarathy.

The place is a world heritage site. United Nations has recognized Aranmula as a global heritage site.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple History

As per myth, the temple was originally built near Sabarimala. The famous Tamil classic, Divya Prabandha mentions this temple. This classic dates back to the 6th to the 9th century.

Planning to visit Sabarimala? Find out Sabarimala Opening Dates for 2019.

This temple is out of 5 temples built by the Pandava brothers in Chengannur. The five temples are Thrichittatt Maha Vishnu Temple built by Yudhishthira, Puliyur Mahavishnu Temple built by Bheema, Aranmula built by Arjuna, Thiruvanvandoor Mahavishnu Temple built by Nakula and Thrikodithanam Mahavishnu Temple built by Sahadeva.

After leaving their capital city, Hastinapur for pilgrimage, the Pandavas arrived at the banks of River Pampa. These temples were built at that time. Every temple has an image of Lord Krishna.

As per legends, Arjuna built the temple as a penance of killing Karna. As it is against ethics to kill an unarmed warrior.

Also, here Lord Vishnu provided information about creating the world to Lord Brahma. This took place when Madhukaitaka demons stole the Vedas from Lord Brahma. Lord Vishnu also came in front of Vedavyasa here.

There is also a story behind the image of Parthasarathy that is present at the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. During the great Mahabharata battle, Arjuna did not want to fight against Bheeshma. Lord Krishna was angry and took up his discus. Seeing this Bheeshma surrendered. This image of Parthasarathy with discus is present at the temple. This pose is the Vishvarupa pose.

Another myth states that the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple image was brought on a raft. The raft was made of six bamboo pieces. Therefore, people call the temple as Aranmula. The word Aranmula means six bamboo pieces.

There is also another myth regarding the name. The place derives its name from the word arin villai. This word means a land near the river.

Aranmula is popular for its metal mirrors. The story of these mirrors begins from the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. As per myth, once the Travancore king decided to donate a crown to Lord Krishna. He was looking for a crown of rare metal. At this time, he got a rare combination of copper and lead.

Also, there is a myth regarding the boat race of Aranmula. When Arjuna was returning with Lord Krishna’s image after long penance, there was a huge flood. At this time, he crossed the river on a raft. A low caste Hindu gave him the raft to cross the river. The raft was of six bamboo pieces. This annual boat race commemorates the help of the low caste Hindu.

Significance of Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is important in the Hindu religious history as:

  • It is one of the 108 Vaishnava temples of India. Moreover, the temple is mentioned in Tamil classics.
  • There is a sub shrine in the temple complex. People worship Lord Balarama in this shrine.
  • The temple shows Kerala construction style. It is similar to the Ettumanor Mahadeva Temple structure. The whole temple is on a raised platform. People need to climb 18 steps to reach the eastern tower. The northern tower is 57 steps high. Sreekovil is the main part of the temple that houses the deity.
  • The base of the central temple is granite while the entire structure is laterite. The conical roof represents terracotta art. There is a kalasam at the temple which is copper.
  • The temple has four towers over its gateways on the outer wall. It has a double storied gopuram. The gopuram is a gateway tower. The upper part has wooden trails. There is a hall on the upper part, the Kottupura. Drum beating takes place during festivals in this hall.
  • The outer wall has places for lamps. These lamps are lit during the festivals. Also, there is a rectangular wall around the temple. This wall protects all the temples which are within the complex.
  • There is a metal flag post in the temple complex. This is the Dwajasthambam which is at the axial to the temple tower. There is also a light post at the temple. It is Deepastamba.
  • There is an outer pavilion to the temple. It is Chuttuambalam. The main temple and the hall is within a rectangular structure. This is the Nallambalam. This hall has pillars and corridors. The Namaskara Mandapa is a square platform. The Mandapa roof looks like a pyramid.
  • There are other parts to the temple as well. The kitchen, Thevrapura is at the left of the Namaskara Mandapa. Balithara is the altar used to make offerings to demigods during festivals.
  • The temple is also famous for its mural paintings. These paintings belong to the early 18th century. The doors have paintings of Dwarpalakas. They are the guardian deities.
  • The temple also has beautiful carvings. The carvings show stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. These intricate carvings are present at the pillars. These are wooden and stucco carvings.
  • Besides Lord Krishna, the other deities present at the temple are Sastha, Yakshi, Nagaraja and Erangavil Bhagavathy Balarama.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Timings

  • Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple opens at 4 am and closes at 8 pm. The afternoon break timings are from 11 am to 5 pm.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Food Timings

Devotees can get prasadam after the morning Pooja.

Dress Code at Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

The dress code of the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is quite similar to the other temples of the state.

  • Men have to be in dhoti. Shirts or upper clothing has to be deposited at the temple counter before entering the temple.
  • Ladies have to be in traditional dress. Sari, salwar kameez and half sari are some examples.

Festivals celebrated at Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple celebrates Lord Krishna festivals with great pomp and grandeur.

  • Ashtamirohini: This is the birthday of Lord Krishna. The temple celebrates this festival with great pomp and grandeur. A large feast takes place on this date. This feast also has a name, ‘vallasadya.’ It is one of the largest vegetarian feasts in the world. The festival includes 64 types of dishes. The devotees offer the food to Lord Krishna. Besides feasting, the deities are carried around Aranmula on this day. Another important part of the festival is the boat rides. A special boat, Palliyodam sails over River Pampa. These boats look like snakes and many people ride them. This custom of boat race also has a name, Vallam Kali. People worship the boat before the race starts as locals believe these boats are vehicles of Lord Aranmula. People use many types of flowers to worship the boats. 100 rowers take part in the race. Also, 25 singers take part in this race. They sing songs as the boats sail on the river. The boats sail in pairs. People also play music. The festival goes on from July to October. This is also the time of Onam festival in Kerala.
  • Procession: A large procession on the Garuda Mount to the Pampa River takes place during the Meenam month. Along with Lord Parthasarathy, Goddess Bhagavathy also participates in the procession. The idol of the goddess comes from the Punnamthode temple.
  • Khandavanadahanam: This festival takes place during Dhanus month. Devotees create an artificial forest at the temple front. People use dried plants, leaves and twigs to make the forest. A bonfire is lit after this. This festival shows the fire that took place at the Khandavana forest. This is also a story from Mahabharata.
  • Fasting: This custom takes place during Thiruvonam. Three Brahmin families in Aranmula fast at this time. Brahmin families from Nedumprayar village also fast at this time. This is a two centuries old custom. As per myth, one Brahmin vowed to feed one pilgrim every day. Lord Krishna was pleased with the vow. Thus, He came to bless the priest. The Brahmin was very happy and he started to conduct a feast every year. This feast takes place after the boat race.

Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Sevas and Poojas

The temple has its own customs, like:

  • Only Thantri and Melshanthi can enter the Sreekovil. Thantri refers to the main priest while Melshanthi refers to the second priest.
  • Thiruvonathoni: This is a famous custom of the temple. The ritual takes place during the Onam festival.

How to Reach Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple

Aranmula is easily reachable from all parts of the state as it is just 116 km from Trivandrum. Trivandrum is the capital city of Kerala.

Here’s how to reach Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple:

  • By Air: The Trivandrum airport is very close to the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Kochi International Airport is also a choice for the tourists who want to visit the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Taxis and buses are available from the airport which can directly take the tourists to the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple.
  • By Train: The nearest railway station is at Chengannur. Tourists can hire cabs from the railway station. Buses are also available here.
  • By Road: Besides planes and railways, you can travel to Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple on roads. There are many buses and other transport available which connect the various cities of Kerala to the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Chengannur is only 10 km from the temple. Pathanamthitta is 15 km and Pandalam is 14 km from the shrine.

Where to stay nearby

Hotel All Season, Hotel Santhi Palace, Bessota International Hotel, Club 7 Hotel, CGA Elite Continental and Contour Backwaters are just 21 km from the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. These hotels also have all basic facilities.

Where to eat

There are some good eat outs near the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple. Favourite, Hotel Aryaas Park, J’ Mart Arabian Restaurant, Khyber Pass Bake & Grill, Union Bakery, Arabian Restaurant and Vensec Kitchens serve delicious food. The eat outs are also clean.

Nearby Temples

Besides the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, this temple village has some other shrines and groves.

Pulikkunnumala Mahadeva Temple: This temple is also worth a visit. It is just 4 km from Aranmula. As per myth, this was the worship place for the Pandavas. The Pandavas are the main characters in a great Indian epic. This great epic is Mahabharata. The temple worships Lord Shiva. Kshetra Samrakshana Samiti looks after the temple.

River Pampa flows by Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple and you can spend some relaxing moments sitting on its banks. The village is also famous for its mirrors. These mirrors are metallic. People call these mirrors as Aranmula Kannadi. Hence visiting Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is just not a pilgrimage but a trip to refresh your inner soul.

Vaikom Mahadeva Temple Guide – Timings, Poojas, Dress Code, and History

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Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is located in the Kottayam district of Kerala. This famous temple worships Lord Shiva. This guide explains the significance of Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, timings, poojas, history, dress code and the best time to visit Vaikom.

Vaikom Mahadeva Temple Video

History and Legend of Vaikom Mahadeva Temple

The Vaikom Mahadeva Temple has various stories revolving around its construction.

  • Vaikom has other names. As per Bhargava Purana and Sanalkumara Samhita, the place is Vaiyaghra geham and Vaiyaghra puram.
  • As per myth, saint Vyaghrapada saw Lord Shiva here. On Vritchika, which is the Krishna paksha, Lord Shiva along with Goddess Parvati came to saint Vyaghrapada. Hence people started calling this place as Vyaghrapadapuram. Later, when the Tamil language became popular here, people started calling it as Vaikom.
  • Another myth states, Lord Shiva gave three Shiva Lingam to Kharasura. He gave him these lingams to attain myoksha. Kharasura was carrying one Shiva Lingam on his right hand, one in the left hand and one was hung from his neck. When the demon was returning from the Himalayas to south he felt tired. Hence, he kept the Lingams on the ground and sat to rest. When he got up he could not lift the Lingams. A voice from the sky said that the Lingams will stay there and help people to attain myoksha. Thus, after attaining myoksha, Kharasura gave the responsibility of the Lingams to saint Vyaghrapada and left the place. The Lingam which was in the demon’s right hand is at Vaikom. The Lingam which was in the left hand is at Ettumannoor and the one which was hung in the neck is at Kaduthuruthy. Locals believe if you can visit all the three temples on a single day it is equal to visiting Lord Shiva in Kailash.
  • Also, saint Parasurama worshipped this Shiva Lingam. After worshipping this Shiva Lingam for several years, saint Vyaghrapada went on a pilgrimage. Saint Parasurama was passing by this place one day when he saw a Siva Lingam in water with holy rays. He understood this as the Shiva Lingam placed by Kharasura. Hence he worshipped this Shiva Lingam to attain myoksha.
  • Also, saint Parasurama built the Vaikom Temple here. All the customs at this temple are plans of Parasurama.
  • This is the oldest temple of Kerala where people worship Lord Shiva regularly. In all these years the Pooja took place daily with no break. Locals believe that the Shiva Lingam is from the Treta Yuga.
  • People believe Lord Shiva is present in three forms at the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple. Once in the morning, once in the noon and once in the evening. In the morning He is in Sri Dhakshinamoorthy form. He grants knowledge, wisdom and understanding to the devotees in this form. At noon he is in the form of Kiratha Moorthy. In this image, he gave Pashupathastra to Arjuna. Arjuna was the warrior hero of Mahabharata. Also, in this form Lord Shiva removes all dangers and grants success in all work. At evening, He is in the form of Shakti Panchakshari. In this form, he is with his family, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha and Lord Karthikeya. Hence, in this form Lord Shiva blesses devotees all worldly pleasures.
  • Pilgrims get holy ash as prasadam at the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple. People call this as Vaikkathappan. As per myth, this ash can cure people of hysteria, poison and wounds.
  • There is a pond in the north of the temple. As per myth, once saint Parasurama came to worship here. He saw people suffering and asked Lord Shiva to help them. He requested him to create a Theertha so that people can bath in its water to wash away sins. As per belief, this is the pond which Lord Shiva created from the Ganges from his hair.
  • There is a well at the northeastern part of the temple. This well also has a myth. Once saint Nidagha came to Vyaghrapada, requesting him to make him his disciple. Saint Vyaghrapada taught Nidagha hymns of Lord Shiva. Once they were worshipping Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha on Ashtami day. Lord Shiva was happy with the hymns and he came to perform Anand Thandava at the northeast part of the shrine. While dancing a few drops of water fell from his hair. Lord Shiva gave a name to this as Sivananda Theertha.
  • There is also a pond at the eastern side of the temple. As per a myth, once two Brahmins from Kanyakumari, Shankara and Mukunda came to Vaikom while they were travelling to Kashi. While Shankara was busy having food at the shrine and listening to the Bhajans, Mukunda left him to travel to Kashi. After a few days, Shankara felt lonely and was sad as he could not take a bath in River Ganges. Hence he fell in severe fever. He prayed to Lord Shiva and as a result, Lord Shiva came to him in sleep. The Lord asked him to take a bath in the eastern pond to fulfil his wish. Shankara took bath in the pond the next morning and he felt as if he was bathing in the Ganges. Hence this pond is as good as the River Ganges. People call this pond as Arathihara Theertha.

Significance of Vaikom Mahadeva Temple

The temple is important in the history of Kerala with its wonderful architecture and rich history.

  • The Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is one of the three powerful Shiva temples of Kerala. The other two temples which fall in this list are Ettumanoor Siva Temple and Kaduthuruthy Thaliyil Mahadeva Temple.
  • Locals believe that worshipping at these three shrines before Ucha Pooja, Lord Shiva grants all wishes.
  • Also, both Shaivaites and Vaishnavaites worship at this temple.
  • The temple is over 8 acres of land. The temple has four walls while the premises is levelled by river sand.
  • There is a golden flagstaff at the temple. Near the Balikalulpura there is a stone image. This is Lord Ganesha’s statue. The Balikalulpura refers to the sacrificial stone. The inner roof of the Namaskara Mandapa shows stories from Ramayana. There is a single rock-cut statue of Nandi. Nandi is the vehicle of Lord Shiva.
  • The Sreekovil is the main room of the temple. This room is covered with copper sheets. Also, there is a front chamber in this room. This is the Mukha Mandapa. This chamber is built with stone and wood. There is also a second chamber. This chamber is built with stone and is square in shape. The Shiva Lingam is kept here.
  • The Shiva Lingam is six feet in height. It is of black stone. The Lingam wears chandrakala. It is crescent. The Lingam also has three eyes, nose and four hands. Gold ornaments decorate Lord Shiva.

Vaikom Mahadeva Temple Timings

  • Vaikom Mahadeva Temple opens early in the morning. It is the Saraswati Yama time. It is generally 4 am.
  • After worshipping Lord Shiva at noon, the temple remains closed till 5 pm.

Vaikom Mahadeva Temple Food Timings

Everyday food is served after the afternoon worship. It is known as Nivedya.

Vaikom Mahadeva Temple Dress Code

As per the Vaikom Mahadeva temple dress code, men should wear dhoti and no shirt (only Angavastram). Women devotees should wear a sari, churidar, pavadai chattai or salwar kameez. Devotees will not be allowed to enter the Vaikom Mahadeva temple wearing informal attire like jeans, shorts or T-shirts.

Festivals celebrated at Vaikom Mahadeva Temple

  • Vaikkath Asthami: This is the most popular festival at the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple. This festival takes place in either November or December.
  • Shivaratri: This is also a popular festival at the temple.

Poojas and Rituals at Vaikom Mahadeva Temple

This temple has some unique customs which takes place in no other temple.

  • The day starts at the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple with bathing Lord Shiva.
  • There are three worships that take place in the morning, namely, Usha Pooja, Ethirthu Pooja and Panthiradi Pooja.
  • Ucha Pooja takes place in the afternoon. Abhishekas with names Panchagavyam and Navakam take place during the afternoon worship.
  • Athazha Pooja takes place at evening.
  • Offerings to Lord Shiva are made through poojas. People call these worships as Dravya Kalasa and Margazhi Kalasa poojas.
  • Special worships take place on Monday and also on occasions of Thiruvathira, Pradosha, Krishna Paksha Ashtami and Pournami. On these special days and on Sankarama the deity goes on Rushabha Vahana for the evening worship.
  • Also, hymns from the holy books, Vedas, are recited while worshipping Lord Shiva.
  • You have to take six steps to reach the sanctum of Lord Shiva. These six steps depict the six emotions, namely, Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Madha and Mathsarya.
  • Prathal is a unique offering made to Lord Shiva. The cooking takes place in the big kitchen.
  • The Ghattium recitation is another special custom of Vaikom Mahadeva Temple. In this custom, a Brahmin carries a silver rod fixed to a Rushabha. He then stands with this light in front of Lord Shiva and recites slokas.

How to Reach: Road, Rail and Air

Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is easily accessible from all parts of Kerala.

By Air: The closest airport is Cochin International Airport. It is about 76 km from the Kottayam district.

By Rail: The Vaikom Road Railway Station is the nearest rail line. The Kottayam is also not far. It is only 25 km from the temple.

By Road: The Vaikom Mahadeva temple is only 33 km from Ernakulam. Also, Kottayam is only 40 km from the temple. There are regular bus services from Kottayam, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram to Vaikom. The Vaikom bus stand is on the Ettumanoor – Ernakulam Highway.

Where to stay

Shri Kailas Tourist Home, Kalakkal Tourist Home, Shree Vaikathappan Tourist Home, Motel Araam, Devaswom Guest House, Kottaram, Sree Narayana Tourist Home and Whitegate Residency are hotels very near to the temple. These hotels also offer all basic amenities and food.

Where to eat

Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is very popular in Kerala. Hence there are many eat-outs near this shrine. Hotel Anandabhavan, Indian Coffee House, Hotel SNV Sadanam, Hotel Hari Hara Vilasam, Whitegate Residency and Valiyakavala are famous for food. These hotels are both economical and hygienic.

Nearby Temples

There are some important temples near the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple.

  • Chottanikkara Bhagavathi Temple: This shrine worships Goddess Rajarajeswari. The temple is near Ernakulam City. Moreover, the temple observes a special custom for maidens. They offer silk and pendent to get married.
  • Udayanapuram Subrahmanya Temple: This temple worships Lord Subramanya. People believe worship at Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is incomplete without worshipping at this shrine. Moreover, a procession from Vaikom Mahadeva Temple to the Udayanapuram Subrahmanya Temple takes place on Vaikathu Ashtami festival. Also, the temple is famous for its intricate carvings and mural paintings.
  • Ettumanur Shiva Temple: This shrine is at Ettumanur. It worships Lord Shiva. Many people visit this temple to fulfil their wishes. Also, the temple is popular for its fine sculptures. There are two statues of Nandi, one in copper and the other in stone.
  • Kaduthuruthy Thaliyil Mahadeva Temple: This temple also has one of the Shiva Lingams that Lord Shiva gave to Kharasura. The temple celebrates a 10 days’ festival.

Hence the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is a must-visit to know more about the Hindu religion. The temple is divine and as per belief, can fulfil wishes. Last but not least; enjoy some time boating over the clean waters of Vaikom Lake.

Chottanikkara Temple Guide – Timings, Vazhipadu, Dress Code, and History

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Chottanikkara Temple is located near Kochi in Kerala. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped here. The Goddess is also known as Bhagavathy. The idol is 4 to 5 feet in height. She has four arms. The upper right arm holds the disc. The upper left arm bears the conch. The lower right hand is in a blessing pose and the lower left arm is in an Abhaya pose, which means fearlessness.

Chottanikkara Temple
Temple Timings4:00 am to 12:00 pm. 4:00 pm to 8:45 pm
Prasadam Timings1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Guruthy at Keezhakavu Temple8:45 pm to 9:30 pm
Dress CodeMen: Dhoti, no shirt. Women: Saree
Time Taken for DarshanNormal Season: 2 hours. Ayyappa Season: 3-4 hours.
Entry FeeFree. No Special darshan available.
Best Time to VisitSeptember – February
Nearest AirportKochi

Chottanikkara Temple Timings

Here are the timings of Chottanikkara Temple:

Ritual Timings
Morning Darshan 4:00 am to 12:00 pm
Evening Darshan 4:00 pm to 8:45 pm
Prasadam Timings 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Guruthy at Keezhakavu Temple 8:45 pm to 9:30 pm
Seeveli 6:00 am to 6:30 am
Ucha Pooja 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm
Deeparadhana 6:15 pm to 6:30 pm
Athaza Pooja 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Chottanikkara Temple Food Timings

Devotees can have food at the temple during the afternoon from 1 pm to 3 pm.

Dress Code at Chottanikkara Temple

As per the Chottanikkara Temple dress code, men should wear dhoti and no shirt (only Angavastram). Women devotees should wear a sari, churidar, pavadai chattai or salwar kameez. Devotees will not be allowed to enter the Chottanikkara Temple wearing informal attire like jeans, shorts or T-shirts.

History and Legend of Chottanikkara Temple

Chottanikkara Temple is one of the oldest temples of Kerala. There are several legends related to the temple.

  • The Goddess was worshipped by the great Bhogacharya.
  • As per myth, the Rudraksha Sila was worshipped by great saints. These saints were Adishankaracharya, Vilwamangalam Swamiyar, Kakkasseri Bhattathiri and Chemmangattu Bhattathiri.
  • It is believed that the deity was brought here from Mookambika Temple which is in Kollur, Karnataka.
  • It is also believed that Goddess Mookambika Saraswati is present at the temple during morning worship. She stays at the temple till 7 am. This is the reason that the Goddess is worshipped late at Mookambika Temple. As the Goddess is present at the Chottanikkara Temple during the worship.
  • Another myth states that the original deity of the Goddess was self-born; this is also known as swayambhu.
  • The original idol is made of laterite and is irregular in shape. This is in red colour.

Significance of Chottanikkara Temple

The temple is important in the religious history of Kerala due to the following reasons.

  • Goddess Bhagavathy is an evil destroyer here. She protects her devotees from danger.
  • As per folklore, pilgrims get free from the stress of material life here.
  • Goddess Rajarajeswari has three forms at the temple. In the morning worship, she is Goddess Saraswati. In the afternoon She is Goddess Lakshmi and in the evening She is Goddess Durga.
  • She is in a white dress in the morning. In the afternoon She is in crimson red cloth and in the evening the Goddess is in a bright blue dress.
  • There is a statue of Lord Vishnu on the same pedestal. For this reason, the Goddess is also known as Ammenarayana, Devinarayana, Lakshminarayana and Bhadrenarayana.
  • There are also deities of Lakshmi, Narayana, Brahma, Siva, Ganapati, Subramanya and Sastha on the pedestal.
  • The temple also has various idols of mythological characters.

Festivals celebrated at Chottanikkara Temple

  • Makom Thozhal Festival: This festival takes place on the Makom day in the month of Kumbham. The Malayalam month of Kumbham is either February or March. On Makom day Goddess Bhagavathy appeared before Vilwamangalam Swamiyar. There is another myth, that the Goddess appears before the devotees every year on the Makom day. Hence the celebration takes place on this day. Devotees sing Bhajanam on the occasion. As per legends, after Bhajanam, Bhadrakali at Kizhukkavu frees the devotees from the evil spirit.
  • Navaratri Mahotsavam: This is another major festival celebrated at the temple. The festival takes place every year in the months of September and October. It takes place for 10 days. Several cultural programmes take place at the temple during the festival. Priests perform Vidyarambham and Annadhanam during this time.

Poojas and Rituals at Chottanikkara Temple

Chottanikkara Temple follows some special rituals.

  • Worship starts at the temple by blowing the conch. Musicians play instruments at this time.
  • The day starts with Nirmalya Darshan. The swayambhu image of Goddess is visible only at this time.
  • Dhaara of Lord Shiva is the next ritual.
  • Several types of worship take place throughout the day. Ethruthu Pooja, Seeveli, Guruthi Nivedyam, Pantheeradi, Ucha, Uchaseeveli are the other afternoon worships.
  • The Evening Nada opening again worships Goddess Rajarajeswari.
  • Deeparadhana, Athazha and Seeveli worship take place in evening.
  • Bhajanam is a special ritual that takes place on the request of the devotees. Devotees can request Bhajanam only if they stay at the temple. They do not go out of the temple this time. Worshippers do not have food with salt, chilly and sour at this time. Bhajanam can heal diseases.
  • Mandapathil Paattu is another ritual which gives blessings of the Goddess. Bronze lamps and flowers decorate the temple. The devotees present satin clothes, fineries, rice and paddy to the Goddess. Devotees play Brahmini Amma Paatu devotional songs. After worship they get Chathussatham. This is a kind of sweet pudding.
  • Annadanam is another ritual that satisfies the Goddess.
  • Rudrabhishekam worship is for Lord Shiva.
  • Chuttuvilakku and Nirmala rituals are for prosperity.
  • Trikala worship is also for prosperity. In this ritual, the devotee has to worship the Goddess three times in a day.
  • One day worship is another ritual in which the devotee has to worship Goddess Rajarajeswari complete day.
  • Mahabhagavath Seva is for the main deity. This ritual gives jaggery to the Goddess.
  • Noorum Palum ritual worships the Naga snakes.
  • Palpayasam ritual worships Lord Vishnu.
  • Mrithyunjaya Homam ritual gives blessings of Lord Shiva. This ritual also provides long life. it helps to cure diseases.
  • Chathussadam is another form of worship of Goddess Rajarajeswari.

How to Reach: Road, Rail and Air

Chottanikkara Temple is easily accessible from all parts of the country.

By Air: The temple is at 38 km from the Cochin airport. This international airport is well connected to the other airports of India, Singapore and Gulf countries.

By Rail: The nearest railway station to the temple is the Thrupoonithura railway station. It is at 4 km from the temple. The temple is 18 km from Eranakulam south and north railway station. Eranakulam is a junction and connects the city with the other cities of the country. There are auto-rickshaws and private cars available from the railway stations which take you directly to the shrine. Trains are available throughout the day, starting from 4.00 am till 10.00 pm.

By Road: The temple is at 20 km from the Eranakulam KSRTC bus stand. It is at 22 km from the Kaloor private bus stand. Road transport to the Chottanikkara Temple is economical. Deluxe Volvo buses are available which connect the temple to the different cities, like Chennai, Bangalore, Trivandrum, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

Where to stay

  • Chottanikkara Temple authorities are planning to construct accommodation for devotees visiting the temple. Pilgrims who wish to donate to the temple can stay at the temple. These suites will come with a bedroom sum living room, kitchen and an attached bath. The suites planned are modern with ceramic floorings. Devotees will be provided with gas cylinders and stoves to enable cooking. The suites will have amenities like refrigerators, television sets with cable connection and hot water.
  • Besides this, the Hinterland Village Resort, PPG Tourist Home, Hill Palace Hotel and SPA, The Capital Fort Kochi, Royal Homestay and Casa de Forte are some of the best hotels at about 1.6 km from the temple. These hotels provide clean rooms with basic amenities. You can also get good food at these hotels.

Where to eat

Chottanikkara Temple is very famous and hence there are several eat outs near the shrine. Black N White, Grameen Ruchi, Kettuvalam, Naushad the Big Chef, The Avenue Regent and the Deagle Arabian Hut are also near. Visitors can relish authentic Kerala cuisines here. These eateries also provide Asian, Chinese and other Indian cuisines.

Nearby Temples

There are several temples near Chottanikkara Temple.

  • Kizhukkavu Temple: This temple is situated just on the eastern side of the Chottanikkara Temple. Moreover, the temple is famous for its ValiyaGuruthy worship. This means great sacrifice and the event takes place every day at 8.45 pm. This ritual takes place after the evening worship at the Chottanikkara Temple. This ritual cures women from mental disorders, like schizophrenia.
  • Ernakulatthappan Temple: This temple is situated at the heart of the Eranakulam city. Here also Lord Shiva is the presiding deity. The important feature of this temple is that the deity is west facing. In addition, here the great Villawamangalathu Swamiyar framed rituals. The shrine depicts the Kerala style of architecture. The temple also has deities of Lord Ganesha and Sastha.
  • Ettumanoor Shiva Temple: This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is from Travancore. The temple is also historically important. The Pandavas and Saint Vyasa worshipped here. The temple has mural paintings.
  • Kaduthuruthy Temple: Also known as the Thali Temple, this shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is near the Vembanad Lake. In addition, Lord Shiva is east facing here. Kharasura demon worshipped Lord Shiva here. The wooden carvings of the temple narrate various stories related to Lord Shiva. Also, there are Lord Ganesha, Sastha and Goddess Durga here.
  • Sree Poornathrayesa Temple: This temple is also significant as it is 1000 years old and is dedicated to Poornathrayesan. Poornathrayesan is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Furthermore, childless couples can pray here to get a child. Also, Vrishchikoltsawam is the main festival here. It takes place during the months of November and December.
  • Vaikom Mahadeva temple: This is the most famous Lord Shiva temple of central Kerala. While some believe that Parasurama installed Shiva Lingum here, others believe that demon Kharasuran placed the Siva lingam at this shrine. Also, Ananadana Prabhu is the major festival at the temple.

Winters (December to February) is the best time to visit the temple as Chottanikkara has pleasant weather at this time. The place experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoons (June and July) and moderately hot from March to May. If you want to participate in the festivals of the temple then it is best to visit the temple between August and November.