Vaikom Temple Story Kottayam

The story of Vaikom Temple goes that a demon named Khara did severe penance at Chidambaram Temple to propitiate Lord Shiva who presented him with three Shiva lingams. Khara was the brother of Shurpanakha and the cousin brother of Ravana. The demon was returning south from Himalayas with the Shiva Lingas, one in his right hand, one in left hand and other by the neck. As he felt tired, he thought to rest a while and set the Shivalingams on the ground. To his surprise, the Shivlingas got rooted to the ground. The demon handed over the lingams to a sage named Vyaghrapada who had followed him invisibly. He asked the sage to protect and worship them. Thus, Vaikom acquired the name Vyagrapuri which eventually became Vaikom.

It is believed that the Shiva Linga placed by Khara by his right hand is worshiped at Vaikom Mahadeva Temple, the one in left hand at Ettumannoor Temple and the one by neck at Kaduthuruthy Temple. Therefore, it is said that the worship of these three temples on the same day is considered good.