Vaikathashtami Festival is one of the most popular festival of kerala dedicated to worship of Lord Shiva in form of Shivalinga. This festival is observed at Vaikom Mahadeva Temple which is the one of the oldest and the most popular temples of Kerala. Vaikathashtami or Vaikkath Asthami is celebrated on the Ashtami of the Malayalam month Vrischikam (November – December). This year (2009) Vaikathashtami festival falls on 9th of December.

Vaikom Mahadeva Temple:

Vaikom Mahadeva temple is located at Vaikom. It is about 40 km away from Kottayam. It is one of the important pilgrim centres of the south India and is considered as one of the largest and the oldest of all the temples in Kerala. The construction of the temple is very artistic. The Mandapams, the four huge corridors, the Prakarams and the spacious halls are constructed with slabs of black stone. The temple occupies about eight acres of land and is surrounded by high walls and four gigantic towers. The temple centers the huge Sivalinga which is about 5 feet in height.

Legends:

According to the history of the temple the legend dates back to the period of Ramayana. At that time there was a demon called Khara who underwent severe penances for attainment of Moksha. Lord Shiva was pleased with him presented him three Shivalingas. Lord Shiva assured that he will be present in the Lingas and whoever worships the lingas will attain Moksha.

Overwhlemed with ectascy, Khara took the three lingas with him: one in his right hand, other in his left hand and the third one he carried by the neck. While returning south from Himalayas, he felt tired and stopped his journey. He placed down the lingas on the earth and took rest for a while. After rest when he tried to pick up the lingas but he couldn’t. The lingas were earth sticken and bulged. Seeing this Khara worshipped the lingas there only and handed over to Maharshi Vyaghrapada after attaining the Moksha.

Centuries later the great sage Parasurama, who is known as the creator of Kerala, discovered these lingas. It is said that Parasurama constructed the original temples for all the three lingas, but the temple in Vaikom attained more significance than the other two.

Celebrations:

The temple is always thronged with the pilgrims coming all over from India. Vaikkathashtami is the main festival (utsavam) of the temple. Two major ashtami festivals are held annually in the temple. One in the month of Kumbhom (February- March) and the other in Vrischikam (November-December). The latter is more famous. The celebrations last for 12 days. They end with an Arat at the Subrahmania temple at Udayanapuram.

Detailed lingabhishekam, the sacred bath of the linga, is done performed. This attracts thousands of people. Vedic brahmins recite slokas and chant holy names. Several rituals are done to the linga on which the devotees have ardent faith that this bestows them moksha.