Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple, Hindu temple in Kottayam district, India

The Kaduthuruthy Mahadeva Temple stands in the centre of Kaduthuruthy village, facing east, with its main entrance on the west side beside the Ernakulam–Ettumanoor road. About twenty steps lead up from the road to the temple yard. Inside, the square shrine of Vaikkathappan lies within the circumambulation path, and the east gate has a large elephant hall used for weddings and offerings.

Kaduthuruthy was the first capital of the kingdom of Vadakkumkoor, which split from Vempolinad around 1100 CE. Marthanda Varma of Travancore annexed Vadakkumkoor and moved the capital to Vaikom; the temple then came under Travancore rule and later the Travancore Devaswom Board. The 14th-century Unnuneeli Sandesham names this Thali shrine in its closing verses.

The temple is one of four Thali Shiva temples in Kerala, along with Kozhikode Thali, Keezhthali in Kodungallur and Thalikotta in Kottayam. Its ten-day flag festival runs in Dhanu and ends with Arattu on Thiruvathira, and Shivaratri in Kumbham is also observed. The main linga faces east, with Parvati believed present beside Shiva.

Visitors should know that traditional dress is expected, with men typically wearing a Mundu and women wearing a Sari when entering the shrine. The temple operates during two separate time windows, so it helps to check the exact schedule before planning your visit.

According to local legend, the demon Khara was granted three Shiva Lingas by the deity Shiva and installed the smallest of these at this location. This mythological connection gives the sanctuary a special status within regional beliefs and folk traditions.