This ancient temple is at Panavally village in
Cherthala in the Alappuzha district. According to legends passed on from
generation to generation, the Pandavas had spent some time at this place during
their stay in exile. As the Pandavas cleared some area here the place came to
be known as Panavally. Even today four stones that served as the hearth for the
Pandavas to boil the milk have been preserved. Mahadeva here is believed to
have been consecrated by Sage Khara. As it was the 48th consecration performed
by Khara the place came to be called Nalppathenneeswaram. Many men offered
pujas after that but one
more
particular Brahmin was especially devoted and performed
all the rituals with great care. Once the Lord appeared before him in a dream
as Kirathamurthy and instructed him to offer pujas to the Kirathamurthy from
thence onwards. Ganapathy and Varahamurthy are consecrated as sub-deities
inside the Nalambalam while outside there are Ayyappan, Durga Devi in three
different forms, Nagaraja and Nagayaksh, and Brahmarakshass as well as Vadakkan
Chovva outside the walls. Ooraliparambath Sree Dharmashastha Temple, situated
half a kilometre from this temple is also considered as a sub-deity.
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