Among all the ancient and unique temples of South India, Vaikom Mahadevar Temple of Kerala, South India occupies the most significant position in the whole world. One can find the Vaikom Mahadevar temple along the western side of Kottayam district, the temple also has its border shared with Vembanattu Kayal (lake).

A tourist finds Vaikom about 40kms from Kottayam town. Spiritually the city of Vaikom is known as the City of Shiva or Vaikathhapan. Vaikom Mahadevar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known as Annadanaprabhu in local language.Pilgrims flock to the shiva temple during the Sabarimala season and Vaikattu Ashtami festival which is celebrated with great enthusiasm in February-March and in November and December.

The temple at Vaikom was established when the demon Khara of Ramayana a great devotee of Lord Shiva set one shivalingam on the ground which got attached to the ground. According to legends Lord Shiva was worshipped by Parasuram also. The Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is locally known as Thekkan Kashi or Dakshina Kasi which means Southern Varanasi.

The spectacular attribute of this temple is the famous elephant parade. The offering of food or prathal to the devotees since ancient times is the oldest custom followed here. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Dakshinamurthy, Kiraata Murthy and Satchitananda during morning or panthirati pooja, noon or Uchcha pooja and evening respectively. Vaikom Mahadeva Temple has an oval chamber which is covered with a copper plates and the roof is crowned with a golden kalasam (dome).

The temple's engraved wall painting is 15 and 18 centuries old. The Mukhamandapam is in the front of the oval shaped chamber. A visitor can have a view of the 129909 nandi (vehicle of shiva). The wall is decorated with lamps on wooden framework lined together in 149087 prakaram. The artistry used remarkable. One can visit Vaikom from Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Kottayam. Rail, road and water transportation are available Vaikom is a tourist attraction because of the backwaters and its green environment.