Perunna Subrahmanya Swami Temple prominently known as one of the most ancient Murugan temples in Kerala, believed to be over 1200 years old. It is also unique in the entire world for one remarkable reason: Lord Murugan here holds his Vel pointing downward, symbolising the moment he destroys the asura Tharakasura, appears in the form of holding the Vel in his hands facing downwards. 

Although the temple’s origins trace back more than a millennium, an extraordinary incident from nearly 500 years ago is said to have shaped its present form. During that time, a Brahmin settlement called Umbizhi existed near Perunna, in the area where the Changanacherry Railway Station now stands. Like Perunna, Umbizhi too was home to Brahmins, but with one striking difference. While the Perunna Brahmins were known for their sattvic way of life, devoted to pure and positive rituals, the Umbizhi Brahmins were known for practicing fierce tantric rituals, including some associated with negative energies.

The Perunna Brahmins were ardent devotees of Lord Shivan and worshipped at the Keezhkulangara Mahadeva Temple, a small but powerful shrine located on the eastern side of the present Subrahmanya Swami Temple. As the Perunna community prospered by the grace of Lord Shiva, jealousy grew among the Umbizhi Brahmins. It is said that they performed destructive rituals against Perunna and eventually attacked the Keezhkulangara temple, destroying much of the structure. Miraculously, the idol of Lord Shiva was saved and remains the same one worshipped in the temple today.

Shocked and distressed by this assault, a learned Namboothiri from the Idamana Illam of Perunna set out on a pilgrimage seeking divine guidance. He travelled all the way to the sacred Palani Murugan Temple in Tamil Nadu, where he stayed for several weeks, performing intense bhajan and prayers. One day, Lord Muruga appeared to him in a vision, instructing him to go to the Kodunthura River in Pathanamthitta and retrieve an ancient idol hidden in its waters. This idol, the Lord revealed, had been worshipped by sages and rishis across yugas.

The Namboothiri immediately followed the divine command. Reaching the river, he discovered the sacred Vigraham just as Lord Murugan had shown him. With great devotion, the Perunna villagers prepared for the consecration of Lord Muruga at Perunna.

But news of this reached Umbizhi. Realising that their attempts to overpower Perunna had failed, the tantrics of Umbizhi performed a rare and powerful ritual, sending a fierce moorthy toward Perunna to destroy the newly consecrated shrine.

Hearing this, the Idamana Namboothiri walked toward the east, toward Umbizhi, to confront the danger. On the way, he saw a blazing ball of fire hurtling toward Perunna. At that moment, a brave Nair karanavar who accompanied him offered himself in sacrifice to stop the destructive force. With deep spiritual insight and powerful mantras, the Namboothiri subdued the fierce entity and installed it as a deity at the place now known as Maranathu Kavu, near the NSS headquarters in Perunna.

After these events, the Umbizhi settlement gradually vanished, said to have been engulfed by dense forest. Until about 55 years ago, the arattu ritual of Perunna Subrahmanya Swami during the annual festival was performed at the very spot where Umbizhi once stood. Later, the Kerala government took control of the area, and it eventually became the site of the Changanacherry Railway Station.

Source / Image Credit : myadhyatm , iPrarthana, entesanthoshatheeram, Hariharan Sivadas , Abhilash Raveendran