What is the story about?
In a country with thousands of gods, there exists a temple where the deity is a real-life judge who lived in the 18th century. At the Cheruvally Devi Temple in Kottayam district, devotees worship ‘Judgiyammavan’ (Judge Uncle), believed to answer prayers related to legal troubles, especially court cases.
While the principal deity of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB)-managed temple is Bhadrakali, thousands of devotees — including celebrities from across southern India and members of the judiciary — visit the shrine to seek the blessings of Judgiyammavan.
The temple has once again come into the spotlight following the acquittal of actor Dileep on 8 December 2025 in the 2017 actor assault and rape case. Dileep, who had been an accused in the case, had visited the temple with his brother in 2019, offering prayers after the case was registered against him.
The legend
Nearly two centuries ago, the erstwhile kingdom of Travancore was ruled by Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma, popularly known as Dharma Raja (the Just King). His reign, from 7 July 1758 to 17 February 1798, was the longest in Travancore’s history. He earned his epithet for his strict adherence to ancient systems of justice and governance.
The king was ably assisted by Govinda Pillai, a judge in the royal court and a Sanskrit scholar from Ramavarmath in Thalavady near Thiruvalla. Like the ruler he served, Govinda Pillai was known for his uncompromising commitment to law and justice.
On one occasion, Govinda Pillai’s nephew, Padmanabha Pillai, was accused in a criminal case that came before his uncle’s court. After examining the evidence and hearing the arguments, Govinda Pillai found his nephew guilty and, considering the gravity of the offence, sentenced him to death.
Soon after the execution, however, the judge realised that his nephew had in fact been innocent and that the verdict he delivered was gravely flawed. Overcome with guilt, Govinda Pillai pleaded with the king to punish him for the miscarriage of justice. Although the king initially refused, he eventually acceded — but assigned Govinda Pillai the responsibility of deciding his own punishment.
Govinda Pillai decreed an appalling sentence for himself: he ordered that both his feet be severed before he was publicly hanged, and that his body remain suspended at the same spot for three days. The sentence was carried out as ordered.
Some time later, a series of ominous incidents reportedly afflicted the region, prompting consultations with an astrologer. The astrologer concluded that the souls of both the judge and his nephew were wandering without attaining moksha. To appease them, Govinda Pillai’s soul was entombed at his ancestral home in Payyambally, Cheruvally, while the nephew’s soul was enshrined at a temple in Thiruvalla, around 50 kilometres away.
Subsequently, an idol of Judgiyammavan was installed at the Cheruvally Devi Temple. In 1978, the judge’s descendants constructed a separate sanctum sanctorum for the idol in the temple courtyard, outside the main shrine.
When to visit
The shrine is open for only about 45 minutes each day. Rituals begin around 8 pm, after the main Bhadrakali shrine closes. The principal offering is ada — a snack made from raw rice flour, sugar or jaggery, and grated coconut. Another common offering consists of tender coconut, betel leaves and areca nut.
Where is the temple?
The Cheruvally Devi Temple is located at Cheruvally, between Ponkunnam and Manimala, along the Punalur–Moovattupuzha Highway. The nearest railway station is Kottayam, approximately 37 kilometres away.
While the principal deity of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB)-managed temple is Bhadrakali, thousands of devotees — including celebrities from across southern India and members of the judiciary — visit the shrine to seek the blessings of Judgiyammavan.
The temple has once again come into the spotlight following the acquittal of actor Dileep on 8 December 2025 in the 2017 actor assault and rape case. Dileep, who had been an accused in the case, had visited the temple with his brother in 2019, offering prayers after the case was registered against him.
The legend
Nearly two centuries ago, the erstwhile kingdom of Travancore was ruled by Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma, popularly known as Dharma Raja (the Just King). His reign, from 7 July 1758 to 17 February 1798, was the longest in Travancore’s history. He earned his epithet for his strict adherence to ancient systems of justice and governance.
The king was ably assisted by Govinda Pillai, a judge in the royal court and a Sanskrit scholar from Ramavarmath in Thalavady near Thiruvalla. Like the ruler he served, Govinda Pillai was known for his uncompromising commitment to law and justice.
Illuminated entrance of Cheruvally Devi Temple in Kottayam district, where devotees also worship ‘Judgiyammavan’ (Judge Uncle), the 18th-century judge linked to a historic legend of justice.
On one occasion, Govinda Pillai’s nephew, Padmanabha Pillai, was accused in a criminal case that came before his uncle’s court. After examining the evidence and hearing the arguments, Govinda Pillai found his nephew guilty and, considering the gravity of the offence, sentenced him to death.
Soon after the execution, however, the judge realised that his nephew had in fact been innocent and that the verdict he delivered was gravely flawed. Overcome with guilt, Govinda Pillai pleaded with the king to punish him for the miscarriage of justice. Although the king initially refused, he eventually acceded — but assigned Govinda Pillai the responsibility of deciding his own punishment.
Govinda Pillai decreed an appalling sentence for himself: he ordered that both his feet be severed before he was publicly hanged, and that his body remain suspended at the same spot for three days. The sentence was carried out as ordered.
Some time later, a series of ominous incidents reportedly afflicted the region, prompting consultations with an astrologer. The astrologer concluded that the souls of both the judge and his nephew were wandering without attaining moksha. To appease them, Govinda Pillai’s soul was entombed at his ancestral home in Payyambally, Cheruvally, while the nephew’s soul was enshrined at a temple in Thiruvalla, around 50 kilometres away.
Subsequently, an idol of Judgiyammavan was installed at the Cheruvally Devi Temple. In 1978, the judge’s descendants constructed a separate sanctum sanctorum for the idol in the temple courtyard, outside the main shrine.
When to visit
The shrine is open for only about 45 minutes each day. Rituals begin around 8 pm, after the main Bhadrakali shrine closes. The principal offering is ada — a snack made from raw rice flour, sugar or jaggery, and grated coconut. Another common offering consists of tender coconut, betel leaves and areca nut.
Where is the temple?
The Cheruvally Devi Temple is located at Cheruvally, between Ponkunnam and Manimala, along the Punalur–Moovattupuzha Highway. The nearest railway station is Kottayam, approximately 37 kilometres away.
