Vaikkathashtami is one of the main festivals of Vaikom temple in Kottayam district, which starts on the day of krishnapaksham in the Malayalam month of Vrishchikam (November – December). This 12-day festival ends on ashtami day, giving it the name - Vaikkathashtami. On ashtami, late in the evening, Lord Mahadeva, the principal deity of the temple is taken out in procession, which is joined by processions from the neighboring temples also. The ritual immersion of the the principal deity (aaratt) is held at Udayanapuram Subrahmanya temple.
