Peralassery & Makreri - A tale of Sri Rama and Hanuman

Most ancient temples find a connection to mythology, the Ramayana, Mahabharata or to one of the Gods. Here is another one such connection to the epic.

Once upon a yugantara , Subramanya asked Brahma  the meaning of 'Om'.The meaning and its  explanation given by Brahma was not found satisfactory by Subramanya, in anger he captured Bhramha and put him in a cell. When Siva the father of Subramanya came to know of this horrible sin committed by his son he released Brahma Deva and explained to Subramanya that his deed was a great sin. For that sin Subramanya had to take the form of a serpent and had to live in an isolated well.  Every negative Karma has a direct punishment even if it is committed by the Gods and Subramanya would have to live in that isolated well and reflect upon his deeds and improve as a God. He would be liberated from the curse by Sri Rama in Threta Yuga. To protect him from Sun and rain other serpents stood over the well with raised hoods. The place where the serpents protected Subramanya is Peralassery according to the legends. The Snakes are considered Adishesha, earth is harmed by digging for whatever cause, it hurts Adisesha who is bearing the earth all the time. The Protectors of the Earth the Snakes are honoured at Peralassery along with Subramanya and Ayyappa.

In Threta yuga when Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman arrived at this place during their exile, There was an Ayyappa Kaavu, Rama recognised the presence of Subramanya and absolved him of his sin. Thereafter he decided to install a Vigraham (idol) of Subramanya, for the Prathishta Hanuman through his Divya Sristi found an idol of Valli Parinaya Subramanyan Which was near the Sarayu river near the northern part of Bharatha. Hanuman was given the muhurtham (Auspicious Time) to install the idol and set journey to bring the idol from north India. As the Muhurtham neared and Hanuman could not make it back in time, Rama decided to do the Prathishta with his Peruvala (big bangle) This is how this Kshetram came to be known as Peruvalasherry and later was shortened to Peralassery. The Subrahmaniya Prathishta is believed to have been done by Sree Rama himself.

The Story of the Temple of Peralasherry does not end here as the story of Makreri begins here.

Soon Hanuman Returns from Sarayu Theeram with the Idol of Valli Parinaya Subramanyan and is extremely saddened by the fact that the Muhurtham is over, on seeing his Parama Bhakta Hanuman’s distress Rama Finds a Spot  to have the Idol installed west of Peruvalasherry. Hanuman is Blessed with Eternal life and is considered Chiranjeevi, the Idol or Subramanya was installed by Hanuman, a supreme among the Markkadas (Monkeys) and hence the Place of the Kshetram was called Markadaserri and later shortened to Makreri. It is Believed that Hanuman does the Poojas at this temple and there is an idol of Hanuman with the Prathista of Valli Parinaya Subramanya at the Tantri Sthanam (the place of the Chief Priest ). Since the main Thantri is Hanuman himself, who is a Punya Athma, the prathishta got uncontrollable power. In order to Conrol this power as well as to give daily darshan to his parama Bhakta Hanuman, Sri Rama took his original form of Maha Vishnu and installed himself on the three sides of the temple.

The Makreri temple also has a collection of awards won by the Famous Music Director Sri Dakshinamurthy. Sri Dakshinamurthy had announced his decision to relinquish the awards before the presiding deity of the temple. The expense for constructing a Saraswathi Mandapam at the temple was borne by him. The Mandapam is used for staging performances by newly initiated Children.