Peruvanam Pooram is noted for its antiquity and is held at the Peruvanam temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that the sanctum sanctorum of the temple was built at the spot where Lord Shiva is believed to have meditated under a tree. The festival in the beginning here was different from what it is now. Due to unknown reasons, the conduct of the festival changed to Peruvanam and Aarattupuzha festivals. The version of Peruvanam festival as we witness today is of 1400 years old.
The festival takes place during the Malayalam month of Meenam (March-April). Highlight of the festival is the grand elephant pageantry in which one of the caparisoned elephants carries the replica of the presiding deity of the temple. By midnight, once can witness the four-hour long panchari melam (traditional Kerala percussion ensemble) followed by fireworks.
