Created using only natural colours, the murals depict popular Saiva-Vaishnavite tales from the epics. They are attributed to the creativity of Tamil nomads during the 14th and 15th centuries. The prime deity of this temple is Lord Siva, known as Perumal. There are around 150 mural paintings in an area of about 700 sqft, divided into 40 panels on the walls of the sanctum sanctorum. Most of these illustrations depict scenes related to the myths of Lord Siva and Lord Vishnu.
The mythical stories of Rukmini Swayamvaram and Ravana Vadham have been rendered through these murals. The temple, rather Madathilvalapil, located closeby, served as a refuge for Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja during his battle with the British. The temple was severely damaged by the British army leaving only the sanctum sanctorum intact. Several renovations later, in 1993, the department of Archaeology declared this archaic temple and its adjoining premises a protected monument. The murals have been scientifically protected since 2003.
