This famous temple is at Peruvanam in the Thrissur district. The place where Sage Puru performed penance is believed to have become famous as Peruvanam. It was one of the 64 main villages of ancient Kerala. The twin Siva lingams, consecrated in the round sanctum that has been covered with copper plates, (Irattayappan) are believed to be self-originated at the place where the Lord appeared before the sage. The sage kept the divine idols that he had with him on the branch of the Bilva tree when he went for a bath. As he found it impossible to take them from there upon coming more back, he built a sanctum at that height and consecrated the idols there. The sage is also consecrated at the western side of the temple. The temple is on a low hill of six and a half acres with many banyans, and Ilanji trees as well as one that has not been identified. Now there are two Sancta with Irattayappan and Matathilappan. Irattayappan is worshipped as Ardhanareeswara. There are Dakshinamurthy, Ganapathy, Rakheswari, and Manikandan also consecrated here. There is a huge Namaskara Mandapam which is beautified with sculptures. The temple is under the Cochin Devaswam Board and also under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India. There is no festival here. But the deities of the other temples come and pay respects to the twin idol here. It is the idol of Dakshinamurthy that is taken out on ceremonial occasions.
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