Did you know that the Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple, in central Travanacore on the eastern banks of the back waters of Vembanad Lake, the citadel of orthodoxy and casteiem, became famous for the Satyagraha launched in 1924 to eradicate untouchability?
The Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple, located in Vaikom village in Kottayam district of Kerala state, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a very large temple built in the Kerala style of architecture, spread over an area of more than eight acres. It is one of the most famous temples of South India, said to be next in importance to Vishvanatha temple in Kashi (Varanasi). The Principal deity of the temple in the Srikovil (Sanctum Sanctorum) is called Vaikathu Appan (God in Vaikom temple), and is believed to display and bestwo three different divine aspects every day. It is said that Lord Shiva appears as Dakshinamurthy (the divine guru of Gurus) in the morning hours bestowing knowledge and wisdom; appears as Kirathamurthy during the Uchha Puja at noon and bestows success on his devotees by removing all hurdles; and during the evening Puja he appears as Uma-Maheshwara along with Parvati, and their sons Ganesha and Karthikeyan granting all the wishes of the devotees.
As one of the three temples of Treta Yuga vintage, Vaikom Mahadeva is held in great reverence by both Hindu denominations of Shaivites and Vaishnavites. This temple, along with the Ettumanoor Shiva Temple and the Kaduthuruthy Shiva Temple is considered a powerful place of Shiva.
Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is an architectural marvel combining the Kerlala style of temple architecture and the Vastu Shastra dictums. The principal (moolavar) deity here is Shiva Linga of 4-5 feet tall which stands on a two feet high pedestal. The Utsava Vigraha (Procession deity) is decorated with golden crescent, three eyes etc. The idol is normally decorated with Bilwa leaves and other flowers. In recent times, in early 20th century this temple also became the precusror for the Satyanyagraha movement launched for removing untouchability in civil society. This movement became famous as Vaikom Satyagraha.
This temple is steeped in legends related to the Treta Yuga, to the time of Lord Parasurama who found the Shiva Linga submerged on the eastern banks of the back waters of Vembanad Lake at Vaikom. He retrieved the Shiva Linga and reconsecrated it at Vaikom and built a temple around it. He had at that time traced the origin of this Shiva Linga to a legend linked to an asura called Khara. It is said that Khara, an asura and an ardent devout Shaivaite, who was doing the penance on the banks of Vembanad lake was directed to move to Chidambaram to do his meditation. He started his meditation/penance to Lord Shiva in the thick forest groves on the banks of the Vellar River. Pleased with Khara's intense meditation and prayers, Shiva appeared before Khara and bestowed him with three Shiva Lingas, drawn out of His own form, and assuring that He will ever be present in them. Shiva asked Khara to go back to Vaikom and worship the Lingas to attain salvation. Khara then brought the Lingas to Vaikhom holding one by his teeth, the second one in his right hand while suspending the third Lingam around his neck. He was followed by a sage called Vyaghrapada. It is also said that while travelling from Chidambaram holding the three Lingams he rested at Vaikom for the night and placed the Shiva Lingams on the ground. Next day morning when he wanted to continue his travel he could not lift the Shiva Lingas. When he prayed to Lord Shiva for help, a divine voice advised him to consecrate the lingams at that place only. He then with the help of sage Vyaghrapada consecrated the three Lingams; one held in his right hand at Vaikom, the Lingam held by his teeth Kaduthurthi, the one susepnded from his neck, in Ethumanur. Soon after he attained salvation and sage Vyaghrapada continued worship of the Linga at Vaikom; hence the deity at Vaikom is also known as Lord Vyaghralayesha. Over centuries, the pujas were discontinued until Parasurama found them and started their worship which is continued till this day. Parashurama reconsecrated the Shiva Linga at Vaikom during Vrsichika Masa (Scorpio) Krishnapaksha (dark hald of Moon) Ashtamia day (eight day of Lunar month) and this day is celebrated every year.
Note: To be continued in part 2
Narasipur Char
