Perunna Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple, located in Changanacherry, Kerala, is a historic Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, one of the three sons of Lord Shiva. This temple holds the distinction of being the first in Kerala to be opened to all Hindus, following an order by Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma of the Travancore kingdom. This inclusive act drew the attention of Mohandas Gandhi, who visited the temple during his first visit to Kerala and spent days worshipping Lord Murugan. A grand ceremony and meeting were conducted at the temple's east gate in honour of this significant event. In the temple, Lord Murugan is worshipped in more his furious form, known as Devasenapathi, the supreme general of the holy forces. The deity is depicted with his Vel (spear) pointed downwards, symbolizing his recent victory over the demon Tharakasuran. Unlike other temples where deities are typically calm, this temple uniquely features Lord Murugan in an angry and furious mood. The main deity faces east, and the temple also houses other deities, including Mahaganapathi, Krishna, Shiva, and Serpent Gods. The history of the temple is intertwined with local folklore and the tale of two villages: Perunna and Umpizhi. About five hundred years ago, Perunna was known for its devout followers of Saivism, while Umpizhi was famous for its sorcery and malevolent practices. The Keezhkulangara Mahadeva Temple, the village temple of Perunna, was destroyed by the Umpizhikars out of jealousy. However, the Shiva lingam from the temple miraculously survived, inspiring the villagers of Perunna to seek divine intervention. A Namboothiri from Perunna went on a pilgrimage to the famous Palani Dandayudhapani Temple and performed intense bhajan (devotional singing) to seek guidance. On the final day of his devotion, Lord Subramanya Swamy appeared to him in a dream and revealed the existence of an idol worshipped by Maharishis at Achankovil, near Kodunthara in Pathanamthitta. Following this divine vision, Namboothiri and his helpers retrieved the idol and brought it to Perunna amidst celebrations. As the dedication day approached, the Umpizhikars made a final attempt to thwart the temple's establishment by invoking an evil goddess to destroy it. Idamana Namboothiri, realizing this threat, went to Umpizhi and made an intense appeal to neutralize the malevolent forces. A close friend, a Nair official, sacrificed his life to appease the evil goddess, allowing the temple to be consecrated without further hindrance. Namboothiri then incorporated the goddess into an idol of Bhadrakali and installed it in a new temple, now known as Maranathukavu. Today, Perunna Sree Subrahmanya Swamy Temple stands as a symbol of resilience and faith. It is a revered spiritual centre where devotees come to offer prayers and seek blessings from Lord Murugan. The temple's rich history and cultural significance continue to shine brightly, drawing pilgrims and visitors from far and wide.