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This article is about the Municipality. For the Taluk, see Vaikom Taluk.
Vaikom is located in Kerala
Location in Kerala, India
Coordinates: 9°46′0″N 76°24′0″E﻿ / ﻿9.76667°N 76.40000°E﻿ / 9.76667; 76.40000Coordinates: 9°46′0″N 76°24′0″E﻿ / ﻿9.76667°N 76.40000°E﻿ / 9.76667; 76.40000
Country  India
State Kerala
Taluk Vaikom
 • Type Municipal Council
 • Chairperson Sreelatha Balachandran (Indian National Congress)
 • Municipal Council Vaikom Municipal Council
 • Total 8.73 km2 (3.37 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 23,234
 • Density 2,700/km2 (6,900/sq mi)
 • Official Malayalam, English
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Telephone code 04829
Vehicle registration KL 36
Nearest city Kochi

Vaikom is a capital town of Vaikom Taluk, situated in the North-West of Kottayam district in Kerala, India. Its western border is the Lake Vembanad, and is crossed by various estuaries of the River Muvattupuzha. Vaikom is the oldest township in Kottayam district, and among the oldest in South India.

The Vaikom Shiva Temple, known as Thekkan Kashi [Southern Kashi], is the heart of the town, and is remarkable for the Vaikom Ashtami celebrations during November. It is notable as the venue of the Vaikom Agitation for achieving for the lower castes the right to walk on the roads surrounding the temple.

Vaikom is administered by a Municipality and is the seat of a Munsiff's court (among the oldest to be established in the Kingdom of Travancore). Vaikom assembly constituency is reserved for Dalits and is part of Kottayam parliamentary constituency.[2]



Post Box used in Travancore region. Found near Vaikom head post office
Vaikom Satyagraha Memorial Vaikom

Vaikom was part of a kingdom called Venmalanadu in the past.When Venmalanadu was split into Vadakkumkoor and Thekkumkoor, it became part of Vadakkumkoor dynasty. Later in 1742, it became part of Travancore when Marthandaverma annexed Vadakkumkoor to his kingdom.[3]

Vaikom gained its fame on national level during Vaikom Satyagraha.


The traditional economy has been based on coconut and rice crops, and fishing; more recently, crops like nutmeg, black pepper, and latex have also been introduced. Tourism and software are also pursued as means to livelihood. Hindustan Newsprint Limited is situated in Velloor near Vaikom.


As per 2001 census,[4] Vaikom has a population of about 22637(Male:10955 and Female:11682). This region has a literacy rate of 92% (Male: 97%; Female: 90%). Population density of the region is 2496 per square km.

Boat Jetty and KTDC Restaurant along Vembanadu Lake


  1. ^
  2. ^ "Delimitation Commission of India - Kerala and Order No.55" (PDF). Kerala. Election Commission of India. Retrieved 2010-08-29. 
  3. ^ "Vaikom, General Information". Kerala. Government of Kerala. Retrieved 2013-06-16. 