About Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple
The Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple stands at Vazhappally, on the edge of Changanassery town in Kottayam district, Kerala. It is one of the oldest and most respected Shiva temples of central Travancore and is counted among the 108 Shiva temples that Kerala tradition attributes to Parashurama. Shiva is worshipped here together with Parvati, and the temple is administered by the Travancore Devaswom Board. The temple is also historically important: the Vazhappally copper plate, one of the earliest known inscriptions in the Malayalam language, is linked with this village.
According to legend, the Shiva linga here was installed by Parashurama himself. Another local story tells how Brahmin families from Neelamperoor brought their sacred linga to Vazhappally in the time of the Chera rulers, and how Parashurama later appeared and guided the founding of the present shrine on the idea of Shiva and Parvati together. Tradition credits the early Chera kings with building the temple, and the area later passed under the Thekkumkur and Travancore rulers. An inscription on the shrine's base records repairs completed in 1665 CE.
The temple follows classic Kerala design, with a circular granite sanctum (sreekovil), sloping tiled and copper roofs, and an enclosing cloister. It is unusual in having two nalambalams and two flagstaffs (kodimaram), one for Shiva and one for Parvati, whose image faces west behind the main deity. Ganapathi and Dakshinamurthy have places in the sanctum, and there is a sub-shrine of Sastha. The wooden ceilings and brackets carry delicate 17th-century carvings showing scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, which are among the temple's great treasures.
Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple timings & aarti
Usually open from about 4:00 AM to 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, following the Kerala temple pattern. Times may vary; check locally before visiting.
| Aarti / ritual | Time |
|---|---|
| Nirmalyam and morning puja | Early morning, around 4:00 AM (approx.) |
| Ucha puja (noon worship) | Late morning (approx.) |
| Deeparadhana | At sunset |
Timings change on festivals, eclipses and special days. Please confirm locally before you travel.
How to reach Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple
By air
Cochin International Airport is about 95 km away; Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is about 140 km away.
By train
Changanassery railway station, on the Ernakulam–Kottayam–Thiruvananthapuram line, is about 2 km away.
By road
The temple is a short ride from Changanassery town on the MC Road. KSRTC buses connect Changanassery with Kottayam, Thiruvalla and Alappuzha.
Festivals at Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple
- Maha ShivaratriFeb/Mar
- Annual temple festival (utsavam)Mar/Apr
- ThiruvathiraDec/Jan
Visitor tips
- Dress code
- Kerala temple dress code: men usually wear a mundu or dhoti and remove their shirts before entering; women wear a saree, set-mundu or salwar with dupatta.
- Entry
- Free entry. As at many Kerala temples, entry inside the temple is generally restricted to Hindus.
- Follow the Kerala dress code; men should be ready to remove shirts.
- Photography is not allowed inside the temple; ask before taking pictures in the outer courtyard.
- Visit early in the morning to see the temple at its most peaceful.
- Look up at the wooden ceilings and brackets to see the old carvings.
- Carry an umbrella in the monsoon months from June to September.
Places to visit near Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple
- Sreevallabha Temple, ThiruvallaDivya Desam shrine of Vishnu, about 12 km away
- Kaviyoor Mahadeva TempleOld Shiva temple known for its wood carvings, about 15 km away
- Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple, KottayamShiva temple in the heart of Kottayam, about 20 km away
- Alappuzha backwatersHouseboat cruises on the Kerala backwaters, about 30 km away
Frequently asked questions
What are the Vazhappally temple timings?
The temple usually opens around 4:00 AM and closes around 11:00 AM, reopening in the evening from about 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Check locally for changes.
Is Vazhappally one of the 108 Shiva temples of Kerala?
Yes, it is counted among the 108 Shiva temples that Kerala tradition attributes to Parashurama.
What is special about Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple?
It has two nalambalams and two flagstaffs, for Shiva and Parvati, and fine 17th-century wood carvings.
How to reach Vazhappally temple?
It is about 2 km from Changanassery railway station and about 95 km from Cochin International Airport.
What is the aarti time at Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple?
Nirmalyam and morning puja: Early morning, around 4:00 AM (approx.); Ucha puja (noon worship): Late morning (approx.); Deeparadhana: At sunset. Times can change on festivals and special days, so please confirm locally before you go.
Is there a dress code at Vazhappally Maha Siva Temple?
Kerala temple dress code: men usually wear a mundu or dhoti and remove their shirts before entering; women wear a saree, set-mundu or salwar with dupatta.
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