Perunninamkulam Shiva temple is located at Perunninamkulam in Irumpanam near Tripunithura in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The shrine is dedicated to Mahadeva or Shivan. The annual festival in the temple is held in Meena Masam. Shivratri is another important festival in the shrine.
Shiva temple at Perunninakulam
is one of the four Shiva temples, consecrated by Parashurama in the region. Other
3 temples are at Thiruvankulam, Kureekkad, and Trikkathara. It is believed that
Parashurama saw Shiva lying spread across all these places. So he built temples
at places where he saw Siva’s head, nabhi, stomach and leg. The Prathishta in
Perunninakulam Temple is considered as Swayambhoo - self-born.
The upa devatas worshipped in
the temple are Ganapathi and Ayyappa.
The temple has a beautiful chuttambalam, namaskara mandapam, kodimaram and chathura sreekovil.
The annual festival is famous for melam, ezhunnallathu, caparisoned elephants, panchavadyam and traditional performing art forms of Kerala. Shaiva pujas including homam, dhara and other rituals are part of the annual festival.