Photo 1 / 3Tiled inner enclosure. Photo: RajeshUnuppally at Malayalam Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple
About the Temple
Kaduthuruthy Thaliyil Mahadeva Temple lies between Vaikom and Ettumanoor and is run by the Travancore Devaswom Board. Legend says the demon Khara carried three lingas and left the smallest here, an east-facing linga about three inches tall. A local ruler is said to have installed Ettumanoorappan and Vaikkathappan at its gates, so devotees believe one visit here carries the blessing of all three temples.
Why visit
- Complete the traditional one-morning visit to the three Shiva temples.
- See the wood carvings of the Karthaveeryarjuna story in the mandapam.
Temple Timings
- Morning
- 4:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Evening
- 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Reported by divinetraveller.net, checked 22 Oct 2026 · Source
Another listing closes the evening at 20:30 and one closes the morning at 11:00. Ucha Pooja is listed at 11:00 to 11:30. Timings may change during the ten-day festival in Medam (April to May).
Before You Go
- Time to allow
20 minutes to 45 minutes inside the temple. This is a planning allowance, not a queue time; festival days take longer.
- Dress
Men wear a veshti or mundu without a shirt. Women may wear a sari, a skirt or a salwar kameez. Confirm at the gate, as rules can change.
Reported by divinetraveller.net, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
- Phones
A current rule on phones inside the temple was not confirmed. Ask at the entrance whether phones may be carried or must be left outside.
Not confirmed: check with the temple before you go
- Access
The temple stands on a small rise. The number of steps and any step-free route were not confirmed, so ask locally if anyone in your group has limited mobility.
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
Highlights
- The smallest of the three lingas
The east-facing linga is about three inches tall, the smallest of the trio. Legend says it is the one Khara carried in his mouth or at his neck.
- Three temples at one shrine
A Vadakkumkoor ruler who could no longer make the three visits is said to have installed Ettumanoorappan at the south gate and Vaikkathappan at the north, so devotees believe worship here brings a triple blessing.
- Mandapam wood carvings
The mandapam has wood carvings of the Karthaveeryarjuna story.
- Memorial to a priest
A statue remembers a priest who died trying to save the idol in a fire about 300 years ago.
Sources: vaikomtemple.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
How to reach Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple
- By air: Cochin International Airport (COK) · about 44 km
- By train: Vaikom Road (VARD) · about 3 km
- By road: The temple is about 400 m from the Kaduthuruthy bus stop, per Kerala Tourism's festival sheet. The Vaikom temple site places it midway between Vaikom and Ettumanoor.
Sources: wikidata.org, en.wikipedia.org, keralatourism.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Nearby Places
- Vaikom Mahadeva TempleThe northern temple of the one-morning trio, by Vembanad Lake.11 km away
- Ettumanoor Mahadeva TempleThe southern temple of the trio, known for its murals.13 km away
- Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple, KottayamA Shiva temple in the centre of Kottayam town.20 km away
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, wikidata.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Questions Visitors Ask
Is there a dress code at Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple?
Men wear a veshti or mundu without a shirt. Women may wear a sari, a skirt or a salwar kameez. Confirm at the gate, as rules can change.
Can I take my phone inside Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple?
A current rule on phones inside the temple was not confirmed. Ask at the entrance whether phones may be carried or must be left outside.
Why is Kaduthuruthy temple visited with Vaikom and Ettumanoor?
Legend ties the three lingas to the demon Khara. Devotees hold that worship at all three before noon on one day is very auspicious; this is a belief, not a promise.
What are the Kaduthuruthy Thaliyil temple timings?
Travel listings give about 04:00 to 12:00 and 17:00 to 20:00, but they disagree in detail. Confirm with the temple before you rely on them.
Which temple should come first on the one-day visit?
No official order was found. Kaduthuruthy lies between the other two, so taking it second avoids doubling back. Plan the route to finish before Ucha Pooja.