Panchalimedu is situated near Mundakkayam which is a hill considered as one of the 18 hills that is related to Sabarimala and part of ‘Poonkavanam’ of Lord Ayyappa. The place has received its present name namely Panchalimedu because it is believed that in Dwapara Yuga
Pancha Pandavas along with Panchali have stayed in a cave that exist of this hill for a period of one year as part of their 14 years of exile and Vanavasa. There are several idols situated in this area which are believed to be the deities installed by Pancha Pandavas for their worship. The deity of Shree Bhuvaneswari was the main deity and the reminiscence of old temple was also there in that area. Thereafter a temple was constructed for Lord Bhuvaneswari and this Panchalimedu which includes a huge tank which believed to be the tank in which Panchali used to take bath is considered as the ‘Moolasthanam’ of Valliyankavu Devi Temple which is situated about 20 kilometres away from Panchalimedu. As per the revenue records, the property having an extent of 269 acres situated in survey No. 8/11 of Peruvanthanam Village in Peerumedu Taluk belonged to Vancvhipuzha Madom. In a portion of this property there is a place where Makarajyothi at Ponnambalamedu can be viewed and every year thousands of devotees throng to Panchalimedu for having darshan of Makarajyothi. The Government as well as the Panchayath and Devaswom also spent money for the purpose of fecilitating the darshan of Makarajyothi from Panchalimedu annually

CASES
W.P.(c)No.16732/2019 -PENDING
BENCH : DIVISION
CORAM : JUSTICE ANIL K.NARENDRAN,HONOURABLE,.JUSTICE MURALEE KRISHNA S.
COURT : THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA

some persons on behalf of St. Mary’s Church Kanyankavayal have encroached into Panchalimedu which is the property of the Travancore Devaswom Board and erected 17 crosses. The crosses are made of concrete, iron and wood claiming that it is a part of Mariyan Pilgrimage. They have also erected an Arch at the entry point from the road to this hill claiming that Panchalimedu is Mariyan Pilgrimage Centre. Several complaints were filed by several organisations against this blatant encroachment and the attempt to create communal disharmony. The Village Officer ultimately issued a notice to the Vicar of St. Mary’s Church Kanyankavayal finding that they are responsible for the encroachment directing them to remove all the crosses erected encroaching into the Government land within three days. The Chief Minister intervened and directed the District Collector to interfere in the matter and freeze the order of the Village Officer for the time being. Accordingly crosses are still being maintained at Panchalimedu which is absolutely illegal and utilising this situation some Hindu organisations have started agitation including the erecting “Thrishoolam” in front of one of the crosses.The case was filed seeking relief of direction to remove all the 17 crosses and the Arch put up atPanchalimedu in the Devaswom property which is situated is survey No. 811 and 814 of Peruvanthanam Village and to take adequate steps to protect the temple site at Panchalimed including the deities and structures that exist at Panchalimed. On 11.04.2023 it was directed by the Court to remove all the erected cross from the site.