Complete Guide about Vaikom Mahadeva Temple
Vaikom Mahadeva Temple
About and History of Vaikom Mahadeva Temple
The construction of the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is the subject of numerous stories.
Other names exist for Vaikom. The location is Vaiyaghra geham and Vaiyaghra puram, according to the Bhargava Purana and Sanalkumara Samhita.
The saint Vyaghrapada supposedly saw Lord Shiva here. Saint Vyaghrapada was visited by Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati on the Krishna paksha day of Vritchika. People began referring to this location as Vyaghrapadapuram as a result. Later, when Tamil became widely spoken here, people began referring to it as Vaikom.According to a different myth, Lord Shiva gave Kharasura three Shiva Lingams. For myoksha, he gave him these lingams. One Shiva Lingam was in Kharasura’s right hand, one was in his left, and one was hung around his neck. The demon experienced fatigue as he travelled south from the Himalayas. In order to rest, he left the Lingams on the ground. He could not lift the Lingams when he stood up. Lingams will remain there and aid people in achieving myoksha, according to a voice in the sky. Kharasura left the area after achieving myoksha and gave saint Vyaghrapada control of the Lingams. At Vaikom is the Lingam that was in the demon’s right hand.
Both the lingam that was in the left hand and the one that was hung around the neck are located in Ettumannoor and Kaduthuruthy, respectively. According to locals, visiting all three temples in one day is equivalent to visiting Lord Shiva in Kailash.
Saint Parasurama also offered worship to this Shiva Lingam. Saint Vyaghrapada made a pilgrimage after spending years worshipping this Shiva Lingam. A Siva Lingam in the water with holy rays caught the attention of Saint Parasurama one day as he was passing by this location. He recognised it as the Shiva Lingam that Kharasura had positioned. To achieve myoksha, he therefore worshipped this Shiva Lingam.
The Vaikom Temple was also built here by the saint Parasurama. At this temple, every tradition is based on Parasurama’s designs.The regular worship of Lord Shiva is performed in this temple, which is the oldest in Kerala. For all of those years, the Pooja was performed without stopping. The Shiva Lingam is thought to be from the Treta Yuga by the locals.
At the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, people think that Lord Shiva can be found in three different guises. three times a day: once in the morning, once at noon, and once at night. He is in Sri Dhakshinamoorthy form in the morning. In this form, he bestows knowledge, understanding, and wisdom upon his followers. He appears as Kiratha Moorthy at noon. He presented Pashupathastra to Arjuna in this illustration. The Mahabharata’s swashbuckling hero was Arjuna.
Additionally, Lord Shiva removes all dangers in this form and ensures success in all endeavours. He takes on the form of Shakti Panchakshari in the evening. He is with his family, Lord Ganesha, Lord Karthikeya, and Goddess Parvati in this form. Therefore, Lord Shiva blesses followers with all material pleasures in this form.
As prasadam, pilgrims at the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple receive holy ash. This is referred to as Vaikkathappan. According to legend, this ash can heal wounds, poison, and hysteria.
To the north of the temple is a pond. Legend has it that Saint Parasurama once visited this location to worship. When he noticed people in need, he prayed to Lord Shiva to intervene.He asked him to build a Theertha so that people could bathe in its water and have their sins washed away. According to legend, Lord Shiva created this pond from the Ganges flowing through his hair.
In the northeastern corner of the temple, there is a well. Another myth surrounds this well. Saint Nidagha once requested to become Vyaghrapada’s disciple when he visited him. Nidagha Shiva hymns were taught by the saint Vyaghrapada. On Ashtami day in the past, they used to worship Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha. After hearing the hymns, Lord Shiva came to the northeast corner of the shrine to perform Anand Thandava.A few water drops from his hair fell while he was dancing. This was given the name Sivananda Theertha by Lord Shiva.
At the temple’s eastern side, there is a pond as well. According to a legend, Shankara and Mukunda, two Brahmins from Kanyakumari, once stopped in Vaikom on their way to Kashi. Mukunda left Shankara to go to Kashi while he was busy eating at the shrine and listening to the Bhajans. After a few days, Shankara began to feel lonely and dejected because he was unable to bathe in the Ganges. Thus, he developed a high fever. Lord Shiva appeared to him while he was sleeping as a result of his prayer to Lord Shiva.
To grant his wish, the Lord instructed him to take a bath in the eastern pond. The following morning, when Shankara bathed in the pond, he had the impression that he was bathing in the Ganges. Therefore, this pond is on par with the Ganges. This body of water is known as Arathihara Theertha.
Vaikom Mahadeva Temple Official website Link
www.vaikomtemple.org
The Significance :
Due to its beautiful architecture and extensive history, the temple is significant in Keralan history.
One of Kerala’s three potent Shiva temples is the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple. Ettumanoor Siva Temple and Kaduthuruthy Thaliyil Mahadeva Temple are the other two temples on this list.
The locals hold the belief that Lord Shiva grants all wishes when worshipped at these three shrines prior to Ucha Pooja.
Additionally, this temple is used for Vaishnavaite and Shaiva worship.
Over 8 acres of land make up the temple. The temple is enclosed by four walls, and river sand has levelled the grounds.
The temple has a golden flagstaff. There is a stone sculpture close to the Balikalulpura. This is a statue of Lord Ganesha. The sacrifice stone is referred to as Balikalulpura.
Ramayana tales are depicted on the Namaskara Mandapa’s inner roof. There is only one statue of Nandi carved out of rock. Lord Shiva travels in the Nandi.
The Sreekovil is the temple’s main room. Copper sheets are used to cover this space. This room also includes a front chamber. The Mukha Mandapa is shown here. Stone and wood were used to construct this chamber. There is a second chamber as well. The square structure of this chamber is made of stone. Here, the Shiva Lingam is kept.
The Shiva Lingam stands six feet tall. It’s made of a dark stone. Chandrakala is worn by the Lingam. It is a crescent. The Lingam also has four hands, a nose, and three eyes. Lord Shiva is adorned with gold ornaments.
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