This 1,200-year-old temple is one of the 108 divyadesams of Sri Vaishnavas. Here, the idol of Lord Vishnu is the Vamana Avatar with conch, chakra and padma hastam.
According to lore, Kaatkarai Appan appeared as Vamana Moorthy to destroy King Bali. Devotees believe Lord Vishnu returns here every Onam day. Since Bali was a Siva devotee, a Parama Sivan Sannidhi, with an idol of Bali invoking the blessings of Siva, is seen too. Legend goes that nenthrapazhams — a variety of banana — were born here; when plantain trees planted by Bali failed to grow, he offered a golden tree to the Lord. The Lord blessed the king with an abundance of plantain trees in the area.
Goddess: Perunchelva Naayaki, Vaathsalya Valli
Temple time: 5 am-11 am and 5 pm-8 pm. Priest: S Venkatan (Phones: 99952 16368/ 97475 36161). Manager: Vinod (94462 05706)
How to reach: 4 km from Edapalli railway station, Ernakulam. Nearest airport: Kochi