Situated in Vandiperiyar, in the Idukki district of Kerala, the Vandiperiyar Siva Temple carries a fascinating history intertwined with the Poonjar royal family and the ancient legends of Sabarimala. According to tradition, in the 11th century, Manavikrama Pandyan discovered ancient ruins along the banks of the Periyar River and was miraculously saved from dacoits by a young boy believed to be Lord Ayyappa himself. Centuries later, during the 1970s, a Sivalinga was unearthed at the very site of these ruins, reaffirming the sacredness of the location. This discovery eventually led to the construction of a new Siva temple in 2015, which was formally consecrated in 2016. Today, more the Vandiperiyar Siva Temple stands as a powerful symbol of faith, divine protection, and the enduring spiritual heritage of the region.