Vaikom is a municipal town and a capital town of Vaikom Taluk, situated in the northwest of Kottayam district in the state of Kerala, India. The town is also noted for its role in the Indian independence movement for being the venue of Vaikom Satyagraha, a civil rights movement aimed at securing freedom of movement for all sections of society through the public roads leading to the famous Vaikom Shiva temple situated here.

Location

Vaikom town is situated at the northwestern end of Kottayam district, close to Ernakulam district border. Its western border is the Lake Vembanad, and is crossed by various estuaries of the River Muvattupuzha. Vaikom is the oldest township in Kottayam district, and among the oldest in South India. It is also very close to the popular tourism destination Kumarakom. Vaikom is 30 km from Ernakulam, 32 km from Kottayam via kumarakom, 37 km from Alappuzha and about 60 km (37 mi) from Kochi International Airport.

Mahadheva Temple

The Vaikom Shiva Temple, known as Thekkan Kashi (Southern Kashi), is the heart of the town, and is remarkable for the Vaikom Ashtami celebrations during November. It is notable as the venue of the Vaikom Agitation for achieving for the lower castes the right to walk on the roads surrounding the temple. One of the most popular temples in Kerala dedicated to Lord Shiva, it was built in 1594.

Administration

Vaikom is administered by a municipality and is the seat of a munsiff's court (among the oldest to be established in the Kingdom of Travancore, 100 years old). Vaikom assembly constituency is part of Kottayam parliamentary constituency.

History

Vaikom was believed to be a part of a kingdom called Venmalanadu in the past. When Venmalanadu was split into Vadakkumkoor and Thekkumkoor, it became part of Vadakkumkoor dynasty. Vadakkumkoor kingdom spread along the path of Muvattupuzha river towards the north east side from Kaduthuruthy, Vaikom, Piravom, Muvattupuzha, Kothamangalam and Thodupuzha. There was an important port at Chemmanakary, near Vaikom during the Vadakkumkoor era. Later in 1742, it became part of Travancore when the then Maharajah of Travancore, Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma, annexed Vadakkumkoor to his kingdom.

Economy

The traditional economy has been based on coconut and rice crops, and fishing; more recently, crops like nutmeg, black pepper, and latex have been introduced. Tourism and software are also pursued as a means to livelihood. Hindustan Newsprint Limited is situated in Velloor near Vaikom.

Demographics

Hindus are the largest religious community in Vaikom, accounting for 85% of the population. Christians represent 12%, and Muslims 3%.

Notable people

Mar Sebastian Adayantharath
Chembil Ashokan - actor
Justice K. G. Balakrishnan
Vaikom Muhammad Basheer
Dr. Jancy james
P. K. Biju
Cherian K. Cherian
V. N. Janaki
Janardhanan - actor
A. J. John
Monce Joseph
M. K. Kamalam
Abraham Kattumana
Kalaikkal Kumaran - actor
Mammootty - actor
John Mathew
N. Mohanan
Vaikom Chandrasekharan Nair
N. N. Pillai
P. Krishna Pillai- leader of the first communist movement in Kerala
Vaikom Padmanabha Pillai- Military officer of the Kingdom of Travancore
Ck Asha
Vaikom Ramachandran - poet
Thomas Unniyadan
Vaikom Vijayalakshmi
Vaikom Viswan
Chempil Arayan - Admiral of the fleet of the Kingdom of Travancore

Source - Wikipedia [Mar 2021]