Vaikom Mahadeva Temple

On the day of *Vritchika – Krishna paksha – Ashtami (as per Malayalam Era), the Lord of Lords and God of Gods – Siva Paremeswara appeared to Maharshi with his consort Parvati – Jagat Janani. The Lord declared, “This place will be known as Vyaghrapadapurma” and disappeared. The world-renowned Vaikkathashtami and all associated holy festivals are still held here on the same Vrichica – Krishna*- Ashtami.

Vyaghrapada Maharshi continued the Pooja with utmost reverence and devotion for some time and went on a pilgrimage. Months and years passed. Sri Parasurama – Chiramjeevi was walking across the sky one day. When I saw the auspicious omens flared up here and saw the holy Siva Linga emerge in the water and radiate heavenly rays. He understood that it was the Siva Linga that placed the Khara. Sri Parasurama thought that the most sacred and exalted Shiva Chaitanya could be a great refuge for devotees who want to attain Moksha. By his sincere prayers and recitation of Shiva mantras, he sanctified the auspicious Linga here.

The most gracious Lord Siva immediately appeared with His consort Parvati Devi before Parasurama. He was so pleased that he consecrated the Linga with the mantras of Parasurama – an avatar of Vishnu, his greatest devotee.

Filled with joy and gratitude, Parasurama performed Siva Linga pooja there for several days. Then he himself built a temple here and commissioned a noble Brahmin from the village of Taruna to teach Pooja mantras. A Brahmin learned all the 28 Shivagams and wore Rudraksha and Bhasma. Parasurama donated the entire temple with the Linga to the Brahmins and disappeared. It is the belief that the temple and all the ceremonies and customs are planned and established by Parasurama himself.

It is believed that ‘Vyaghralayesha’ Siva bestows his blessings on the devotees in three bhavas or forms in the morning, noon and evening at this Holy Temple. Like Dhakshinamoorthy in the morning, Kirathamoorthi in the noon and Shakti Panchakshari in the evening.