After reclaiming the land of Kerala from the ocean, Parasurama brought Brahmins to stay there. Later these Brahmins came to be known as Namboothiris. At one time Kerala consisted of 32 villages occupied by the Namboothiris. Ramalloor belonged to one of these villages named Iishanamangalam. The Dashavathara temples are situated in this place. Parasurama established 108 Siva temples and 108 Durga temples in Kerala. But he felt that he should establish Vishnu temples also as he was a Vashnavite. As he was searching for a place to establish these temples, he saw many ascetics occupying the area at the base of the Ponkunnu mountain. The place more had dense forests and many streams. Parasurama approached Goutama Maharshi who was in penance there. When he informed the ascetic about his intention the Rishi suggested he consecrate Mahavishnu in one place and the ten incarnations in a circle around it. The Namboothiris were given the responsibility of doing the poojas and looking after the consecration. This temple is the second among them with Koorma avathara consecrated in it.