Subramanyam, Murugan or Kartikeya are the names of the God of war in the Hindu Patheon. He is the son of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati. He is known by several exotic names like Kumara, Saravanbhava and Velayudhan. Murugan is a most idolized deity among the south Indian states.
Subramanyam Swami was installed and another platform was constructed for the installation or pratishta of the Vishnu idol within the sanctum sanctorum or the Sreekovil. There is another story also which goes that when the pratishta or installation was to be done the people actually saw Subramanyam Swami and since he was observed standing, the idol too is in a standing pose.
Festivals
The Temple has a number of festivals. The important ones are :
Thaipooyam
The Thaipooyam festival is held in the month of Makara or between January and February. One of the regularly held festivals of the temple is called the Shastivrata or the fast and prayers offered and held on the sixth day after the new moon night or Amawasya. Other significant offerings of the temple are Utsavabali, Tulabharam, Kavadi, Chuttu, Vilakku, Udayasthamana pooja and Muzhukappa, Panchamrita abhishekam, Pantheerazhi, Kadumpayasam
Trikarthika
One of the most prominent one is in the Kumbha month or which falls between the months of February and March. The celebrations go on for ten days. Another festival is the Trikarthika held during the Vrichika month or between the months of November and December.
Contact Address: Akkarapadom Subhramanya Swami Temple, Vaikom, Kottayam
