Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Kshetram

Kaduthuruthy-Thaliyil Mahadeva Kshetram ( temple ) is 15 Kms. from Ettumanur or Vaikom  but lesser known to pilgrims than the other two temples. As I have mentioned earlier, visiting these triad of temples  before Uccha (Noon) pooja is considered to be auspicious. This temple is situated on a small hillock and compared to the  other  temples, it is  smaller in size.  The Sivalingam here is only  3" in size, faces East  and is also believed to have  been installed by Khara, the demon who installed the other two Lingams in Ettumanur, and Vaikom. There are also shrines dedicated to  Ettumanurappan and Vaikathappan here, in the outer prakaram. It is also  said that visiting this temple is equivalent to  visiting  the other two temples . The  beautiful greenery around,  the pristine surroundings  adds a certain charm to this  temple.

The temple architecture is simple and I could find a lot of wooden carvings on the Vimanam above the sanctum.  A fire engulfed this temple 300 years ago and the chief priest sacrificed his life  in protecting the deity by  embracing the  Lingam . A statue of this chief priest is installed at the Northen side of the temple to commemorate the event.

How to reach: Nearest towns are Kottayam and  Kochi (Ernakulam) on the main rail route between Chennai and Trivandrum . Kochi  is also having an international airport and harbour.Kaduthuruthy is on the State highway connecting Kochi and Trivandrum through Kottayam and Kollam.

Accomodation is very easily available as luxury , economy and budget hotels are quite a few here.

Vaikom Mahadeva temple - Kerala

I happened to be in Kerala recently and had a wonderful opportunity to visit some ancient temples there.

Vaikom Mahadeva Kshetram ( temple) dedicated to  Lord Siva , is  very famous and one of the oldest  temples in Kerala. It is  in Kottayam district. This temple is fairly big one  and attracts pilgrims from all over the state and neighbouring ones too. There are 2 more famous temples situated at equi distance from Vaikom and it is considered auspicious if one can visit all the 3 temples in one day before Uccha pooja (Noon worship). The other two temples are Ettumanoor and  Kadathuruthy, again in Kottayam district. These temples are also very big  and  one can enjoy  the simple arichitecture,  typical of Kerala.

Vaikom temple shot to fame during the period of Vaikom Satya Graha ( a movement to allow  all sections of Hindus inside the temple) was intitiated here. This temple attracts foreign tourists also but non- Hindus are not allowed into the inner most walls of the temple and near the sanctum.

The Lord here is known as Vaikkathappan and the festival, Vaikathashtami is very famous here. He is also referred to as  the Annadana Prabhu meaning provider of  feast or food  and many pilgrims are fed here everyday. The devotees rich and  poor sit side by side and partake in the feast and it is believed that it is  provided by the God himself and it  has curative powers for stomach ailments.

The temple premises are always kept spic and span and everybody makes it a point to maintain the sanctity of the temple. It is believed that the demon Khara, brother of Surpanakka (of Ramayana)  got  3 Sivalingams from Kailash in Treta Yuga, one was installed here and the remaining ones  were consecrated at Ettumanoor and Kadathuruthy.

  How to reach: Vaikom is  45 Kms from  Kochi and is connected by rail and road. The nearest airport is Nedumbassery is another 40 Kms. from Ernakulam. Excellent accomodation luxury, executive and  budget class are available at Kochi.