Venue: Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, 40 km from Kottayam.
Event Date: 24 Nov 2005,13 Dec 2006, 18 Nov 2007, 20 Nov 2008, 25 Nov 2009
The sacred Ashtami festival of the temple takes place during the dark lunar fortnight of the Malayalam month Vrischikam Sagittarius) which concludes on the Ashtami day.
On the Ashtami night Thidampu a symbolic idol of Lord Siva (known here as Vaikom Mahadeva) is taken out in procession where many of the deities of the nearby temples ceremoniously arrive. The twelveday festival of the temple falls in November-December, and is celebrated with classical dance and music performances.
On the seventh day of the festival an idol of Lord Siva’s vehicle Rishabha (the sacred bull) is taken out on a royal outing called Ezhunallathu. Cultural fare includes classical music and nightlong Kathakali performances on the eighth and ninth days. It is believed that Parasurama, the mythical founder of Kerala, built this temple. Kshetra Kalapeetam , a training centre for temple art forms, a temple dedicated to Lord Subramanya ( Lord Siva’s son) at Udayanapuram, 3 km from Vaikom, famous for its wood carvings, stone sculptures and murals, are the major attractions nearby.
Getting there
Nearest railway stations : Ernakulam, about 36 km towards north; Kottayam, about 40 km towards south.
Nearest airport : Cochin International Airport, about 56 km
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