Ayamkudy is a village in the Kottayam district of the Indian state of Kerala. Location & Access Ayamkudy is located at 9°45'N & 76°28'E. It nestled in rubber plantations and surrendered by paddy fields and coconut lagoons. It is on the Kerala backwaters. Ayamkudy is only slightly off from the road linking Kottayam and Ernakulam. Public buses are the best way to access Ayamkudy. There are few dozen buses plying between Kottayam and Vaikom, many of which have stops in Ayamkudy. Alternatively, one can hire a taxi/auto rickshaw from the nearby town of Kaduthuruthy, which is well connected to other cities and towns in the state. Kottayam and Ernakulam are the nearest major railroad stations; Cochin International Airport (IATA: COK) is the nearest airport. Demographics Ayamkudy is rather densely populated. Ayamkudians are divided roughly equally between Hindus and Christians. Ezhava, Pulayar, Nair, Ashari, Namboothiris are the most common Hindu castes. Institutions in Ayamkudy Ayamkudy has three educational institutions: a Lower primary school, a High school and an English Medium school. It has a public library and a post office. There is a famous Lord Shiva temple (Thiruvayamkudy Mahadeva Kshetram), and also a Devi temple in the village. There are three Catholic churches: Malappuram St. Theresa Church, Maduravelli Infant Jesus Church, and Alphonsapuram Church. History of the temple The history of the temple or its origin could be dated back as early as 1000 AD. The main idol is a Shivalingam, supposed to have appeared on its own in the homagni (sacred fire) in a Brahmin's house at Ayamkudy. This Brahmin (Namboothiri) was an ardent devotee of Vaikathappan (Lord Shiva), the main deity of the famous temple at Vaikom away. According to legend, he was unable to get to the temple for worship due to his old age, so the deity of that temple (Vaikathappan) appeared in his Upasana Homagni. The temple was constructed later and it stands presently as the top center of the village. There seem to have been seven Ooranma families (owners) of the temple; however, only five still have living members. The present Ooranma Families include Pattamana Illam, Ettikkada Mana, Irishi Illam, Marangatta Mana and Neithasseri Mana. The temple houses a Rahasya Ara (secret cabin) where the divine power is located. This is considered a reservoir for the power of the idol. The cabin is well protected with granite stones. A lamp is lighted every day in