Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple
Vaikathashtami
Vaikathashtami
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[thumb\|Procession of Perumthrikkovilappan for the Vaikom Ashtami festival](/wiki/File:%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%86%E0%B4%B0%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%82%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%83%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8B%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B2%E0%B4%AA%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B1%E0%B5%86_%E0%B4%85%E0%B4%B7%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%9F%E0%B4%AE%E0%B4%BF_%E0%B4%8E%E0%B4%B4%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%B3%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B3%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D.PNG "പെരുംതൃക്കോവിലപ്പന്റെ അഷ്ടമി എഴുന്നള്ളത്ത്.PNG")
The Vaikom temple is famous for the Vaikom Ashtami (Vaikathashtami), one of its main festivals, which is held in from November–December. The exact date of the festival is determined by the [Malayalam calendar](/wiki/Malayalam_calendar "Malayalam calendar"). Vaikathashtami is celebrated on the day of Krishna Ashtami in the Malayalam month of [Vrischikam](/wiki/Vrischikam "Vrischikam"). It commemorates the appearance of Shiva before Vyaghrapada.

[thumb\|Pambady Rajan carrying the idol of the temple](/wiki/File:Pambady_Rajan_carrying_Idol_of_vaikom_mahadeva_temple.jpg "Pambady Rajan carrying Idol of vaikom mahadeva temple.jpg")


What is the significance of Krishna Ashtami in the Malayalam calendar?