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Panchalimedu is a hill station and view point near Kuttikkanam in Peerumedu tehsil of Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. On the Makara Sankranti day, lots of Ayyappa devotees camp there to witness the sacred Makaravilakku (holy flame) that appears in the Ponnambalamedu near Sabarimala temple.Predominantly it is a high altitude region situated at a height of 2,500 ft (760 m) above the mean sea level. The place is surrounded by deep valleys and hills, accompanied by meadows, grasslands and cool refreshing climate. From there, the Koruthodu valley near Mundakkayam with widespread rubber plantations can be seen. Parunthumpara hills and Periyar tiger reserve lies to the east of Panchalimedu. Many tourists arrive there during the summer season for trekking and to get refreshed. When monsoon arrives, the place will be covered by charming mist and thick fog. However, a pleasant climate is experienced here throughout the year. Apart from Pullumedu, Panchalimedu is another spot in the district where lots of pilgrims from the various regions gather to witness the Makaravilakku, a holy flame that is believed to a supernatural phenomenon by the devotees, which appears annually on 14 January in the Ponnambalamedu summit.

Panchalimedu is located on the route to Kanayankavayal in the Azhutha block of Peerumedu tehsil. The place can be accessed from Murinjapuzha (5 km) and Amalagiri (6 km) on the Kottayam – Kumily state highway (K.K road). People from west and south can reach there through Mundakkayam – Thekkemala route. Jeep and auto services are available from Murinjapuzha at fair rates. There are two hills at Panchalimedu, and one has the temple dedicated to Bhuvaneswari Devi. Valliyamkavu Devi Temple is a historic temple lies 10 km (6.2 mi) southeast to Panchalimedu and it is dedicated to Goddess Durga.

According to the myths, Pandavas along with their spouse Panchali had a sojourn there at time of one-year exile. Hence the place got its name Panchalimedu which derived from the words “Panchali” (Draupadi) and “medu” (hill). The local tribes there offered selfless helps to the Kuru princes. Pandavas left the region before the beginning of one year incognito. They rewarded an idol of Goddess Durga to the tribal chief for their helps and instructed them to worship Devi. But, unexpected incidents occurred when the tribes worshipped Devi by following their own uncivilized puja methods. Hence the place became uninhabitable for them. Later, Devi herself moved to the present Valliyamkavu region and presided there. In light of this myth, people still believe that Panchalimedu is the moola sthana or sanctum sanctorum of Devi.

At present, there is a small temple dedicated to Goddess Bhuvaneswari, which can be approached by a walkway from the main road. The temple which hadn’t daily poojas in the past is currently under the administration of Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), taken over from the tribals after the death of the Chief Priest Kandan Konni in 1993. The Devi was in extremely angry mode – Bhadrakali, poojas were in Saaktheya procedure, with rituals in Kowla method, (later TDB stopped all these). However, later on Devi’s presence was seen in two modes – Bhadra with motherly love and the other Kali in highly furious form, in separate sanctum sanctorums. The granite edicts found there depicts the linkage of the place to ancient history. Several Shivalingas,Trishulas (trident) and Nāga idols are also seen here. A small circular pond known as Panchalikulam is situated there, in which Pandavas and Panchali took their daily bath. It is about 5 dm (20 in) in diameter. Even during hot summers, it will be filled with plenty of water. One cave also exists there named Pandavaguha (cave of Pandavas), in which the footprints of Bhima can be witnessed. Further there are Idols in granite considered as Five Pandavas, God of Tribals called Karimkuttiyan etc.

This temple has close thanthric linkage with Sabarimala Temple, which is evidenced by the age old tradition (still continuing) of putting a stop of the special ritual called “Guruthi” (The ritual includes “tharpana” of “Guruthi” – creamed mixture of Turmeric, slaked lime and other pooja ingredients – on the decorated frame and “Gandhakam” is sprinkled on fire to ward off evil-spirits during the course of puja), during the Manadla –Makaravilakku season, till the “Maha Guruthi” at Malikappurathamma temple on the last day of the season.

This holy place – Panchalimedu and the temple of Bhuvaneswari Devi has a very long history as old as more than 5000 years to ‘Dwapara Yugam”. The anti – Sabarimala activities being continued by the Christian group started with the burning of Sabarimala temple in 1950. Later in 1983 they planted a big Stone Cross at Nilakkal near Mahadeva temple which they had to take away due to the strong opposition of devotees of Ayyappa. Now they have started cultivation of Crosses in the holy place of Hindus – Panchalimedu, part of Sabarimala Poonkavanam, and the present Kerala State Government of lead by Communists gives full support to the invaders. Most of the Hindu organizations, especially devotees of Lord Ayyappa have come out with strong protest and have declared to start ferocious and forceful agitation to thwart the nefarious designs of the anti-Hindu forces.