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Kannur is famous for many ancient temples, and one among them is Peralassery Subramanya Temple. It is in Mundallur, 15 km from Kannur city on the Kannur-Kuthuparamba road. People better know it as the Snake Temple. The massive stepped pond is its specialty. This beautiful Peralassery Subramanya Swami temple stands on the banks of the Anjarakandy River in Kannur. The presiding deity is the serpent form of Subrahmanya, and inside the Peralassery Temple, devotees can see many idols of the king cobra. It is considered holy, and they offer eggs to it.
There are a few legends about the temple. One has an association with the famous Hindu epic, Ramayana. Rama visited this place, where the temple stands now, searching for his abducted wife, Sita, during his exile. He felt the invisible energies of Subramanya emanating from here. Rama decided to install an idol of Subramanya to consecrate at the site.
As per the local folklore, Subramanya had imprisoned Brahma for knowing the meaning of "Om," the Pranava Mantra. He released Brahma at the request of Shiva. Finally, Subramanya explained the meaning of the Pranava Mantra to Shiva. Subramanya took a serpent form to wash off his sins and chose an isolated well to reside as a serpent. Several other serpents guarded him against the Sun and rain. So, the place where serpents guarded Subramanya is Peralassery Temple.
Parvati requested Shiva to give Subramanya his original form. Shiva advised her to perform 18 Shasti Vrat to restore the original form of Subramanya. As Shiva instructed, Parvati performed the Vrat and got her son Subramanya in his original form.
The temple reflects traditional Kerala architecture. The temple Chira, temple tank, or stepped pond, lies outside the temple entrance. The pond is called Ayanivayal Kulam, and it was renovated in 2001. It resembles a baori, a step well type found in Gujarat, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Karnataka. Steps descend to the water in the center. Laterite stones were used to construct the massive well, and the water in the temple tank merges with the water of the River Kaveri. That's why Kaveri Samkramam is celebrated in the Peralassery Temple. Devotees believe that a holy dip in the Chira, followed by the temple visit, is very beneficial.
This temple tank is world-famous for its unique structure and architecture, and it is the biggest temple pond in Kerala.
A tiny brass idol of the king cobra faces the entrance. There is a brass, multi-leveled main lamp at the temple entrance to welcome devotees. The main lamp has a tortoise at the base and a rooster at the top. The lamp with the eternal flame is another wonder of the temple.
The main deity, Subramanya's idol, is six feet tall and carved out of stone. History says the temple was destroyed during the invasion of Tipu Sultan, and now the idol is attached to a silver sphere. Ganapati, Ayyappa, Bhagawathi, and Nagas are the other deities worshipped here.
Usually, every December, the annual Kodiyettam festival is celebrated grandly. This is an 8-day festival. Chakyarkoothu, Parayan Thullal, Kathakali, Ottanthullal, and Seethankan Thullal are the key art forms performed during these days.
The Kodiyettam takes place on the fourth day of the festival. The temple priest performs Thidambu Nritham (religious dance), and Kazhcha Sreebali (caparisoned elephants procession) rituals follow.
People who suffer from Sarpa Dosha perform Pooja at Peralassery Temple to eliminate their affliction. Eggs are offered to honor the snake deity, Subramanya, as a part of the Pooja. Every month, on Ayilyam nakshatra day, devotees come here and perform Subramanya Pooja and Mutta Oppikal by offering eggs to the main deity to remove all obstacles in their life. Devotees tie miniature cradles to be blessed with a child.
KSRTC Kannur private bus stand is the nearest bus stand which is 16 km away from the temple.
Kannur railway station is the nearest railway station, 16 Km away from the Peralassery Temple.
Kozhikode (Calicut) International Airport is the nearest airport to the temple, which is 107.8 km away.
The temple remains open from 4.00 am to 12.30 pm and 4.15 pm to 8.00 pm.
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