The Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple in the State of Kerala, India, has a beautiful tradition of feeding devotees since time immemorial, reflecting its commitment to serving the community.
Every night after the final worship, known as athazhapooja, the temple staff come out to the temple gates and inquire if anyone is hungry. If someone responds affirmatively, they are provided with dinner before the gates are closed.
This practice is a long-standing tradition at the temple, highlighting its role not just as a place of worship but also as a source of sustenance for the needy.
Highlighting this tradition, the temple’s presiding deity, Lord Shiva, is affectionately known as ‘Annadana Prabhu’ or the ‘Lord-Provider of Food’.
Food is a significant offering to the deity, and devotees often bring prathal (food offerings) as a form of worship. The temple distributes the food offered to God as prasadam to devotees.
During festivals like Vaikathashtami and Onam, the temple organises grand feasts, further emphasising its commitment to feeding the community. Vaikathashtami is a prominent festival celebrated over 12 days in November-December, featuring elephant pageants and traditional art performances.
Considered as one of the most sacred Shiva temples in Kerala, the temple’s age is estimated to be thousands of years old, given its association with the Treta Yuga, a golden period in Hindu mythology.
The temple is said to have been founded by Sage Parashurama, who consecrated the Shiva Linga icon of the deity according to set customs and procedures. According to legend, the demon Khara built the temple after receiving three Shiva Linga-s from Lord Shiva himself.
The current structure dates back to the 16th century and was built by the Travancore royal family.
The temple has been a centre of religious and cultural activity for centuries and is mentioned in ancient texts like the Sangam literature of the 3rd century BC.
The temple also played a significant role in Kerala’s modern history, particularly during the Vaikom Satyagraha movement in 1924-1925, which aimed to secure temple entry for all castes.
The temple showcases traditional Kerala architecture, with a circular sanctum sanctorum, intricate carvings and gopuram-s.
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Image: India post released a special cover on Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple on the occasion of Vaikathashtami (a major festival of the temple) on 8th December 2017 at Vaikom. Courtesy https://mbstamps.blogspot.com