Vaikathashtami is a major Hindu festival celebrated annually at the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple in Kerala, India. In 2026, it will be celebrated on December 1. The festival falls on the Ashtami (eighth day) of the lunar month of Vrischikam (November–December) and commemorates the day when Lord Shiva is believed to have appeared at Vaikom. It holds an important place in Kerala’s religious and cultural life and draws thousands of devotees.
The festival spans twelve days and culminates in the grand Ashtami celebration. It features a rich programme of cultural performances, including Kathakali, music concerts, dance recitals, and religious pageantry. On the final day, a grand procession carries the deity’s replica (thidambu) on elephant back, joined by other temple processions. The festival offers a rich cultural experience for visitors of all ages.
Vaikathashtami honours Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Vaikkathappan, and is revered by both Shaivites and Vaishnavites. The temple is believed to date from the Treta Yuga and has maintained a continuous tradition of worship. Situated on the banks of Vembanad Lake at Vaikom, the Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is famed for its striking Kerala-style architecture and is known as the Dakshinakasi of the South.
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