Ayamkudy

Ayamkudy is located 4 km west of Kadathuruthy/ Kaduthuruthi in the middle of Kottayam - Ernakulam main road.

The village is agri-based, producing various crops.

The landmark of the village is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This shrine is over 1000 years of standing.

The Shivalingam of the temple, the idol of Shiva temples, was descended on its own in a Homagni (sacred fire) in a Brahmin house. There is a legend behind the appearance of the Shivalinga. The Brahmin was a deep devotee of the Vaikathappan, a deity in a temple at Vaikam, 15 km away. The old age and ill-health prevented the Brahmin from reaching out to the temple for worship. Realizing this, Vaikathappan descended in his Homagni where a temple was erected later. The temple was constructed by seven Oorayma families. Out of the seven, only five – Pattamana Illam, Ettikkada Mana, Inishi Mana and Neithassena Mana (Brahmin homes are called Mana or Illam).

In contrast to other temples, the Ayamkudy Shiva temple has a Rahasya Ara (secret chamber) where, it is believed, divine power is present all through. The idol gets the divine power from the chamber, the devotees believe. The chamber is granite walled for protection. A lamp is lighted here before other lamps are lighted in the temple. An omnipresent serpent is sitting as a guard in front of the chamber, the legends say so.

The well in the temple is with cool water and lasting spring. The legendary tales connect this well water with the Ganga (river Ganga) sprang from the head of Lord Shiva. The fact that when the wells in the village dry up during drought, this well though located in highest spot in the village, keeps the water level which lends support to the divinity of the water.

The village is an excellent center for Rig Veda learning. This too is attributed to the shrine. The comprehensive learning of Rig Veda takes about seven years and its study is associated with the temples as Rig Veda is gods-related subject. The village has produced many Rig Veda scholars.

Hindus are more in number in Kayamkudy. Second position in population is for Cristians.

Villages in Kottayam District

• Alapra
• Ayamkudy
• Bharananganam
• Changanassery
• Chempu
• Erattupetta
• Eravinalloor
• Ettumanoor
• Ithipuzha
• Kadathuruthy
• Kaipuzha
• Kallara
• Kangazha
• Karukachal
• Kidangoor
• Koorapada
• Koottickal
• Kothanalloor
• Kudamaloor
• Kummanam
• Manarkadu
• Monipally
• Moscow
• Paika
• Pallom
• Puthupally
• Ramapuram
• Teekoy
• Thalayolaprambu
• Vandanpathal
• Vennimala