Mayapiran Perumal Temple, Puliyur, Alappuzha – The Temple

Mayapiran Perumal Temple, Puliyur, Alappuzha – The Temple

The temple is situated in a serene place among lush greenery. The temple is situated in an elevated ground. Since it is said to have been built by Bheema the temple is very large. It is on top of a small hill called Kari Manikathu Mala As you climb the steps and walk past the arch you enter the vast area of the temple. The temple is built in typical Kerala style architecture with slanting roofs and red Malabar tiles. Mandapam, Naalambalam, Balikkal Pura, the Temple Tank, Sevapanthal, Compound wall etc., the characteristics of a major typical Kerala Temple can be seen here.

The Dhwajastambha (Kodi Maram) is facing towards the Eastern side and is covered with copper plates. There is a small Mandapam with the pillars are intricately covered in brass plated sheets. The ceiling of the Mandapam is rich with wood carvings. Beyond this mandapam is the sanctum where the main deity Mayapiran appears majestically in a standing posture with four arms, holding Conch, Lotus, Discuss and the fourth arm resting on his thigh. The Idol stands on a 20-inch-high platform and is in a standing posture its height being three feet ten inches.

The idol faces the east and the sanctum has doors leading to all four directions. The sanctum of the temple is a very tall building and has a copper plated roof. Vimanam over the sanctum is called as Purushothama Vimanam. Sreekovil is Conical in shape. Dhwara Balagars can be found on either side at the entrance of the sanctum. Also, a Ganapathy statue can be found on the walls of the sanctum. Mother is called as Porkodi Naachiyaar. There is a shrine for Bhuvaneshwari Amman in the Temple premises. There are shrines for Ganapathi, Shiva and Ayyappa in the Temple premises.

There is also a Yakshi in the form of a mirror and also a Brahma Rakshas worshipped at this temple.  It seems that once a Brahmin priest along with several Brahmins were killed in the sanctum sanctorum of this temple by a ruling family called Varayanna family. It seems some of the Brahmins went and hugged the Shiva idol but they were also killed. This incident is supposed to have happened in the end of 4^th century AD. Because of this the temple was not maintained properly for another 200 years. Then the patrons of the temple did all rituals necessary to remove the effect of the sin committed inside this temple. 

The Brahma Rakshas represents the Brahmin who was killed, when he was hugging the idol. These rituals were done by the Saamiyar Madam of Thrissur (Adhi Sankara is supposed to have established this madam).  Some rights of the temple were also given to the chief of the Saamiyar Madam. There is also a corner of the temple set apart for tribals of that surrounding forests to offer worship. There is also a four-foot-high pillar with a platform outside the temple believed to be the base of the stow Bheema used to cook his food.

The club in the temple is too big size believed to have been used by Beema. Chathusatham is the main prasad here made from huge amount of sweetened rice, coconuts, jaggery and Ghee. Theertham associated with this Temple are Poonsunai Theertham and Pragnya Saras. Interestingly, there is a temple for Duryodhana, who is considered as the enemy of Bheema at Malanada in Kollam district. So, the people of Puliyur village never visit the village with the Duryodhana temple.