This article was written by Shivan P L.
Some stories are not found in history books. They live in the memories of elders, in ancient rituals, in sacred places, and in the faith passed down from one generation to the next. The story of Perumana Valiyachan, also known as Thekkethadathil Valiyachan, is one such story. At Chathiyara Devi Temple in Shaktikulangara (Alappuzha, Kerala), Valiyachan is worshipped as an Upadevatha, a guardian deity believed to protect the people of the village. Every year, on the second Tuesday of the Malayalam month of Makaram, devotees gather to offer their prayers to him. The offerings are simple — tender coconut, bananas and Ila Ada. Yet behind these humble offerings lies a story of courage, betrayal, sacrifice and divine protection.
The Man Remembered as Valiyachan
Perumana Valiyachan lived around the period of 1720–1750 CE
and served as a steward or chancellor of the Chathiyara royal household under
King Kottakkattu Thaan. Valiyachan was respected not simply because of the
position he held, but because of his character. He was known among the people
for his nobility, strength and courage. Stories of mystical powers associated
with him also became part of the legacy surrounding his name. The people of the
region held Valiyachan in great respect and affection. His influence and
popularity, however, became the cause of his downfall.
King Kottakkattu Thaan grew jealous of the respect and
affection Valiyachan received from the people. What followed was a tragic
decision that would forever change the story of Chathiyara.
The Night Everything Changed
One night, while Valiyachan was travelling, a group of men surrounded him. They attacked him and beat him severely before throwing him into a well. They believed that the crime would remain hidden. But the story took an unexpected turn. Later that night, a group of farmers passing near the well heard sounds coming from inside. Concerned by what they heard, they approached the well and looked inside. To their astonishment, Valiyachan was still alive. The farmers helped him out of the well. Seeing his condition, they gave him food and drink. They offered him tender coconut water, Ila Ada and bananas. Those simple offerings would later become an important part of the worship of Valiyachan. Despite his injuries, Valiyachan remained calm. He told the farmers that he would not be able to return home. Then he made a request that would become central to his story. He asked the farmers to place him back into the well. He told them that he would remain there and protect the people of the village. The farmers, deeply moved by his words and filled with respect for him, followed his wishes and placed him back into the well.
The Sword in the Well
The following morning, the villagers learned what had happened. When the well was searched, there was no sign of Valiyachan. His body had disappeared. Only the sword he had carried remained. From that moment, the story of Valiyachan became the story of a guardian. The people believed that Valiyachan had transcended his earthly life and had become a protective presence over the village. He had promised to protect the people, and that promise became the foundation of the devotion that followed. Over generations, Valiyachan came to be worshipped as a guardian deity, remembered with faith and reverence by the people of the region.
The Perumana Family
The tragedy associated with Valiyachan did not end with his death. King Kottakkattu Thaan later sought to destroy the members of the Perumana family as well. Many members of the family fled to Malabar and Thrissur. Some also embraced Christianity in an attempt to escape persecution. Only a few members of the family remained behind. Then came another mysterious turn in the story. Before the king could harm those who remained, he himself died under unnatural and mysterious circumstances. This became another powerful part of the story of Valiyachan and his promise to protect his people.
The Sword That Remains
Among the most significant parts of this story is the preservation of Valiyachan's sword. The Perumana family keeps the sword in a small temple within the compound of their ancestral home, at Mynagapally, Kollam district, Kerala; where regular poojas are performed. During important festival occasions, the sword is ceremonially taken to the temple. It is worshipped as part of the rituals and is then respectfully returned to the family. The sword is more than an ancient weapon. It represents the strength of Valiyachan and the promise of protection associated with his name. It stands as a physical reminder of a story that has survived for generations.
The Offering of Makaram
The second Tuesday of Makaram holds a special significance for the devotees of Valiyachan. On this day, people gather with tender coconuts, bananas and Ila Ada, remembering the food and drink that the farmers offered Valiyachan on the night they discovered him in the well. The offerings may appear simple, but their meaning runs much deeper. A tender coconut, a banana and a traditional Ila Ada connect the rituals of the present with an event remembered from the distant past. They commemorate the compassion of the farmers who came to Valiyachan's aid. They honour the courage of Valiyachan. And above all, they represent the faith placed in the guardian who promised never to abandon the people under his protection.
A Guardian Who Remains
Centuries have passed since the time of Perumana Valiyachan, yet his story continues to live through the rituals, traditions and faith of the people. Stories such as this survive because they are carried from one generation to another. They are remembered through worship, spoken about by elders, and kept alive through the customs that continue to be observed. The story of Valiyachan is not only the story of a man who was betrayed and attacked. It is the story of a promise. “I will remain here and protect you.” That promise lies at the heart of his story. At Chathiyara Devi Temple, when devotees stand before Valiyachan with their offerings, they are continuing a tradition that has connected generations of people with the guardian they have come to trust and revere. Perhaps that is why the story of Perumana Valiyachan continues to feel so alive. The man disappeared from the well, but his sword remained. His story remained. His promise remained. And in the hearts of those who continue to worship him, Valiyachan remains as well — watching over Chathiyara, protecting its people, and blessing those who come before him with faith and devotion.