The Vaikom Mahadeva Temple is a famous Hindu temple located in Vaikom, a town in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. The temple is considered to be one of the oldest and most significant Shiva temples in Kerala and is often referred to as "Thekkan Kashi" or "Kashi of the South."

The Vaikom Mahadeva Temple has a rich history dating back thousands of years. It is believed to have been constructed by Parasurama, the mythical creator of Kerala. The temple is associated with several legends and stories from Hindu mythology. It is said that the main deity of the temple, Lord Shiva, manifested himself in the form of a swayambhu lingam (self-manifested lingam).