Peralassery Subrahmanian temple!

Peralassery temple is one of the famous ancient temples in Kannur district of Kerala. Serpent form of Lord Subramania, the son of Lord Shiva, is the presiding deity worshiped at this temple. Peralassery is a town situated in the Kuthuparamba - Kannur highway. From Peralassery bus stop the temple is at walkable distance. 

Temple Entrance

A Banyan tree outside the Temple

You can see many idols of King Cobra inside the temple. The main offerings in the temple are egg(for snakes),  ney payasam( A sweet made from rice, Jaggery and Ghee), Sarppabali. The main festival in Peralassery is during the month of December.

Different idols of Cobra

A beautiful Banyan tree inside temple premises

The large temple pond is one of the architectural marvel. Devotees wash their legs in the pond before entering the temple. It is believed that the water from river Cauveri reaches in this temple pond in the first-day of Malayalam month Thulam. This is known as Cauveri sangramanam. This day is considered as an auspicious day and many devotees visit the temple on this day and take a dip in the pond. You could see this pond in many of the films. 

Fishes in Temple pond

Folklores says that Peralassery temple was an Ayyappan kavu earlier. Lord Rama came across this place while searching for his wife Sits Devi. When he reached here he felt the presence of Lord Subrahmania here.  He explained the story to Lord Lakshmanan and Lord Hanuman which is as follows "When Lord Subrahmania was a kid he has imprisoned Lord Brahma for not letting him know the meaning of the Pranava mantra "Om". Later as per Lord Shiva's request he has released Lord Brahma.  As atonement, Lord Subrahmania turned into a Serpent and stayed alone in an isolated well of Ayyappan kavu in Peralassery."

When they heard this story all three came to visit the temple and decided to place an idol of Lord Subrahmania here. They seeked permission of Lord Ayyappan who was being worshipped here. Lord Ayyappan agreed and gave them the permission to make Lord Subrahmania as main idol and to give him a place at the South of the main temple. Lord Rama asked Lord Hanuman to get an idol and Lord Hanuman went in search of one. Lord Hanuman couldn't return on time so Lord Rama removed his bangle (Peru Vala) and placed it in place of worship. When Lord Hanuman returned Lord Rama tried to place the idol in top of the bangle. Lord Hanuman asked to remove bangle and place the idol is originally but they couldn't remove the bangle. And while trying to remove the bangle a Serpent appeared and asked not to remove it.  As Lord Rama removed his bangle and placed it hence the name Peru valasserry (place where bangle was kept) which later became Peralassery.

There is one more temple which has a relation to this story, Makreri Temple. As Lord Hanuman couldn't come on time he felt regret. Seeing Lord Hanuman's disappointment Lord Rama told Lord Hanuman to place the idol he brought towards north side of the temple. Lord Rama told people have to visit both temples to fulfill their wishes. So he placed the idol and for anoint Lord Hanuman tapped his tail and there a pond was formed. As Markkadan (monkey) placed the idol this place was called Markkadasserry and later came to known as Makreri.