Peruvaram Mahadeva Temple

North Paravur, Dist. Ernakulam.

Peruvaram Mahadeva Temple is an ancient and historic Shiva temple located in North Paravur in Ernakulam district. The temple is said to be more than 800 years old and is one of the important cultural centres of North Paravur. The main deity, Shiva, is also known as Peruvaarathappan. It is one of the rare temples where Shiva and Parvati are installed back-to-back in the same Sreekovil. The tantric rights of the temple belong to Vezhaparambu Mana and the Melshanthi is a Purappeda Shanthi, a priest who stays permanently at the temple and performs the daily rituals.

The temple was built and maintained by the Pindinivattam Swarupam (Paravur royal family), which ruled ancient North Paravur. It was an important place of worship for the Paravur kings and also served as a major religious centre during their rule. According to historians, the temple is up to 800 years old. The circular Sreekovil has features of the Later Chera Period style of medieval Kerala architecture. During Tipu Sultan’s campaign, when his army attacked Paravur, the temple was also targeted. Historical records state that when the soldiers attempted to take the temple’s golden flagstaff, temple staff and local people removed it and hid it in the temple pond to protect it.

Records state that the temple suffered extensive damage during Tipu Sultan’s campaign in the late 18th century. Later, during the rule of the Travancore royal family, the temple underwent major restoration and was brought to its present form. In recent decades, renovation works have included the restoration of the large balikkallu, copper roofing of the chuttambalam and reconstruction of the golden flagstaff. In earlier times, the temple was under the direct supervision of the Pindinivattam Swarupam, while uralanmar from some prominent Namboothiri Madoms also had authority over its affairs. After the Paravur kingdom became part of Travancore, temple administration came under the Travancore royal family, with officials appointed by the king managing its affairs. At present, the temple is administered by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB). It is a Major category temple under the Paravur Group of the Devaswom Board, with its daily affairs supervised by a Sub Group Officer appointed by the Board. A Temple Advisory Committee consisting of devotee representatives also assists the Devaswom Board in conducting festivals and carrying out temple development works.

The origin of Peruvaram Mahadeva Temple is linked to the legend of Parashurama associated with the creation of Kerala. According to the legend, Peruvaram Mahadeva Temple is one of the 108 Shiva temples believed to have been consecrated by Parashurama himself to protect Paravur, one of the 64 Brahmin villages established by him. At the time of the consecration, Lord Shiva is said to have been in an intense form and the heat from his eyes was believed to have caused the plants and trees facing the temple to wither and burn. To reduce this intensity, a large temple pond is said to have been built directly in front of the eastern entrance. Another legend states that Shiva came here with all his Bhoothaganas and attendants and settled here, because of which the area was known as ‘Parivaarapuram’, which gradually became ‘Peruvaram’.

Another important legend associated with the temple festival is the belief that Subrahmanya, the deity of Mannam Subrahmanya Swamy Temple, is considered the son of Peruvaarathappan. Once a year, on the day of the Valia Vilakku during the festival, Subrahmanya is believed to arrive at Peruvaram Temple in a procession to meet his father, Peruvaarathappan. A large crowd gathers to witness this procession and the meeting of the deities from the two temples. The Nirmalya Darshan at Peruvaram Temple is also believed to have special benefits. There is a related story of a devotee who worshipped during the Nirmalya Darshan for 41 consecutive days to seek relief from severe difficulties and was later blessed with the removal of obstacles and prosperity in life.

As you approach the temple by road, the first features you notice are the large entrance gate and the spacious elephant shelter beside it. A large temple pond is located close to the road in front of the eastern entrance. The golden flagstaff installed inside the elephant shelter can be seen from outside the entrance gate. A large laterite stone compound wall surrounds the temple. After passing through the entrance gate, there is a spacious prayer courtyard, followed by the balikkalpura and a large balikkallu. Further inside, the chuttambalam around the Sreekovil has a fully copper-covered roof and granite pillars. Rows of oil lamps are fixed along the outer walls of the chuttambalam.

The main feature of the temple is its fully circular Sreekovil, built of granite. Its two-tiered roof is fully covered with copper sheets. The Sreekovil has two doors facing each other, one to the east and the other to the west. The granite yali figures on either side of the steps leading to the Sreekovil, the wooden carvings and the Kerala-style murals on its outer walls are also notable features. Shiva and Parvati are installed back-to-back on the same granite base. Peruvaarathappan faces east in the form of a Shiva Lingam, while Parvati faces west in the form of a female image. The arrangement allows each deity to be seen directly in the centre of the Sreekovil through the respective entrance. As Shiva and Parvati reside in the same Sreekovil, devotees associate this unique arrangement with the concept of marital harmony.

The sub-deities of the temple include Kannimoola Ganapathi, Dakshinamurthy, Shastha, Naga deities and Brahmarakshassu. Kannimoola Ganapathi is installed in the south-west corner inside the chuttambalam. Dakshinamurthy faces south and is installed on the southern wall of the main circular Sreekovil. Shastha is installed in the south-east corner outside the chuttambalam. In the north-west corner, Naga deities such as Nagaraja and Nagayakshi are installed on a Nagathara designed in the traditional Kavu style. Brahmarakshassu has its place near the north-east corner.

The annual Thiruvutsavam is one of the major festivals held towards the end of the Malayalam calendar year. The ten-day festival is held in the month of Medam (April–May) and begins with the Kodiyettam. During the festival, morning rituals include Nirmalya Darshan, special homams and Kazhcha Seeveli, while the evenings feature Panchavadyam, Pandi and Panchari melams, Kathakali, Chakyar Koothu, Theyyam and music concerts. On the ninth day, known as Valia Vilakku, an Ezhunnallippu is held with nine elephants. On the same day, Subrahmanya from the nearby Mannam Subrahmanya Swamy Temple arrives at the shrine of Peruvaarathappan in a procession accompanied by Thalappoli and traditional percussion ensembles. The festival concludes on the tenth day, on the Thiruvathira star of Medam, with the Aarattu held in the temple pond.

Maha Shivaratri in the month of Kumbham (February–March) is one of the major special occasions at the temple. Special abhishekams, night-long Yama Poojas and lighting of lamps are held on the day and many devotees also visit the temple for Pitru Tharpanam. During the Mandalam period, which begins on the first day of Vrischikam (November), special poojas and the lighting of lamps at the Shastha shrine are held. It is also during this period that the temple’s Melshanthi, the Purappeda Shanthi, is selected by drawing lots. Special poojas and offerings are conducted on the Thiruvathira star day of every Malayalam month. Visiting the temple on Saturdays is also considered an important practice for those seeking relief from Shani doshas such as Ezharashani and Kandakashani.

One of the main offerings at the temple is the Ayiram Kudam Abhishekam performed for Shiva. Devotees perform this offering to calm the intense form of the deity, seek relief from illnesses and difficulties and remove obstacles from their endeavours. Swayamvararchana offered to Parvati Devi at the western entrance is performed to overcome marriage-related obstacles and seek a suitable life partner. As Shiva and Parvati reside in the same Sreekovil, this offering is associated with marital harmony. Although not an offering, devotees also observe a 41-day practice of attending the Nirmalya Darshan at 5:00 AM when the temple opens, as a vow to seek relief from difficulties in life. Other important offerings to Shiva include Dhara, Ilaneer Dhara, Shankhabhishekam and Koovalamala. Ganapathi is offered Ottappalam, Appa Nivedyam and Karuka Homam, while Neyyabhishekam and Elluthiri are offered to Ayyappan. Milk and fruit offerings on the Ayilyam star day and Sarpabali are performed for the Naga deities.

The daily pooja at the temple begins at 5:00 AM with the opening of the temple and Nirmalya Darshan. At 5:30 AM, Jalabhishekam and Enna Abhishekam are performed for the deity, followed by the preparation of Malar Nivedyam. Ushah Pooja is held at 6:00 AM, followed by Ethiretta Pooja at 7:30 AM, Panthiradi Pooja at 8:30 AM and Ucha Pooja at 10:15 AM. Major offerings such as Ayiram Kudam Abhishekam are performed after the Ucha Pooja and the temple closes at 11:00 AM, marking the end of the morning darshan. The temple reopens at 5:00 PM, followed by Deeparadhana at 6:30 PM and Athazha Pooja at 7:30 PM. The temple closes at 8:00 PM after the Thrippuka ritual. Pooja timings may vary on special days and during the festival season.

Key highlight :-

• Located 14 km from Kodungalloor, 16 km from Aluva and 24 km from Angamaly.
• 16 km from Aluva railway station.
• 24 km from Cochin International Airport.
• KSRTC and local bus facilities are available to the temple.
• Private vehicles can be parked in the temple’s parking area.
• Accommodation and food facilities are available in the nearby towns.
• Contact number +91 4842624412.