Eravikulangara Bhagavathy Temple, Akaparambu

Eravikulangara Bhagavathy Temple stands on a hillock in Akaparambu village, Ernakulam district, between Kalady and Aluva, roughly a kilometre from Nedumbassery airport. An Ashtamangala prasna held here put its age at about 1,600 years and indicated that the goddess was present when the site was still deep forest. The sage Vilwamangalam is said to have had a vision of Devi here, so the hillock is also called Thiruviluam Kunnu. Shiva and Sastha were later worshipped too, and shrines to Brahma Rakshas and the serpent deities were added in 2008.

Legends abound. Villagers grazing cattle by the lake are said to have seen a divine light, and the cry of wonder that followed gave Akaparambu its name. Two rocks near the temple are called Darika Para, after a play in which Bhadrakali beheaded the demon Darika, or Velathy Kallu, after a washerwoman turned to stone for halting the sun. The large lake to the south is kept as it was.