Perandoor Devi - who is worshipped by Edapally Thampuran

The Perandoor Bhagavathy Temple, is one of the the “108 DURGA” temples in Kerala, situated in Elamakkara, near Kochi in the state of Kerala in India. A distinctive feature of this temple is about it’s deity where goddess “Durga”, first of the five forms of “Adiparasakthi” in the form of an eight year old girl. Durga in the “Karthyayani Bhava” is worshipped here.

History reveals very interesting facts about the origin of the temple. Cheraman Perumal, the last emperor of the great Chera dynasty who ruled Kerala during the 10th century AD, renounced his empire and all material possessions in order to lead an ascetic life. The empire was divided and given among the regional chiefs and lords under him. At the last minute he remembered that the royal priests “Elangallur namboothiris” who were not given anything. He made amends for this by taking back some portions of land from other lords and gave it to the Royal priest family. Thus began a new dynasty called the “Elangallur swaroopam” (The kingdom of Elangallur family) in Edappally, which is one of the only two brahmin royalties in Kerala. The kingdom included Edappally, parts of Karthikapally, Haripad, Cherthala and places in and around Mavelikkara.

Kings of Elangallur Swaroopam (known as “Edappally Thampuran” meaning of Lord of Edappally) were known to be great patrons of temples and there were several prominent temples under them including the famous Ganapathy temple at Edappally and Sastha Temple at Thrikkunnapuzha (near Cherthala in Alleppey district).

It was their practice to personally oversee the running of the festivals under them. One one such occasion the Thampuran was staying at Thrikkunnapuzha during the festival at the Sastha Temple there. At night he had a dream in which the Goddess Durga appeared to him and expressed her wish to stay at Edappally near Ganapathy.(The idol of Ganapathy who is the Chief deity of the royal family was always carried by the king along with him). Accordingly next morning, the king started towards Edappally carrying an idol of Durga together with the idol of Ganesa. He travelled up to the west end of Edappally by boat and got down there and started towards the Palace. On the way the idol of Durga fell down from his hand. King was very much upset at this incident and called his astrologers for advice. The astrologers found that at the place where the idol had fallen there had been a Durga Temple built by Parasurama and that the Goddess Durga liked to be there at the same place. Accordingly a temple was duly constructed which became a prominent one among the 108 Durga temples of Kerala. Since the idol had “Perandu Veenu” (Malayalam phrase for falling down unexpectedly) the place became known as Perandoor and the temple became known as Perandoor Bhagavathy Temple.

Being the main deity of the people under the “Elangallur swaroopam” the Perandoor Bhagavathy is the family goddess of a great many families (who are called the “moola kutumbams”) in southern and middle Kerala.