Neelamperoor Palli Bhagavathi Temple

Neelamperoor Pally Bhagavathi Temple has a history of about 1700 years and it is one of the few relics of the Buddhist culture in Kerala, India. It is about 3 km west of Kurichy out post in Kottayam-Changanacherry Main Central Road.

The principal deity of the temple is Goddess Vanadurga (Durga or Kali). On the southeast corner behind the sanctum sanctorum is an image of the snake god. Outside the main temple are the temples of lords Ganapathi, Siva, dharmasasta, Maha Vishnu and Rakshasas. The priest belongs to Kollapally Madom in Neelamperoor. On special occasion the chief priest from the family Kannampally at Ayamkudy comes. Every day poojas are performed. The Maharaja of Travancore sponsored the first pooja of every day, but his sponsorship stopped with the decay of monarchy. Pudding is the main offering to propitiate the deity; its preparation differs from what it is done in other temples. The water for this purpose is taken from the unripe coconut.

Neelamperoor Pally Bhagavathi Temple was built at a time (between AD 250 and 300) when Buddhism was at heyday of its prosperity. It is said that Bana Varma, otherwise known as Cheraman Perumal, who was the sole emperor of Kerala, had become a Buddhist monk and spent his last days at Neelamperoor. While he was the ruler of Kerala, Hindus accused him of having favoured Buddhism; they even refused to co-operate with him. As matters came to a head, he agreed to conduct a debate about Hinduism and Buddhism. If Buddhists won the debate Hindus had to accept Buddhism. If they failed, the king agreed to abdicate the throne. Accordingly scholars of both religions participated in the contest. Hindus arranged six eminent scholars from south India to argue their case. The Buddhists lost the case. Thereupon Cheraman Perumal abdicated the throne and left the palace as a Buddhist monk. Thus he came to Neelamperoor and built a Buddha Vihara.

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