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A Kerala temple worships an 18th-century judge who sentenced himself to death after realising he wrongly executed his innocent nephew; a haunting tale of justice and faith.
After delivering a wrong verdict, a judge sentenced himself to death. Today, he is worshipped here (Image- Kohleyed.com)
India is home to thousands of temples dedicated to gods and goddesses. However, Kerala has a unique temple where the deity is not a mythological figure, but an 18th-century judge. At the Cheruvally Devi Temple in Kottayam district, devotees worship Jayammavan, also known as the “Judge Uncle.”
It is believed that Jayammavan listens to the prayers of people troubled by legal disputes and grants them mental peace. Although the temple, which comes under the Travancore Devaswom Board, primarily worships Goddess Bhadrakali, many prominent personalities from South India, including film stars and even members of the judiciary, visit to seek Jayammavan’s blessings.
The temple recently came into the spotlight after actor Dileep was acquitted by a court on December 8, 2025, in the 2017 abduction and sexual assault case. Following the registration of the case in 2019, Dileep had visited this temple along with his brother to offer prayers.
The Judge Who Chose Justice Over Blood Relations
Nearly 200 years ago, Travancore was ruled by Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma, popularly known as Dharmaraja, whose reign lasted from July 7, 1758, to February 17, 1798. He was renowned for his strict adherence to law and justice.
Serving in his court was Govinda Pillai, a respected judge from the Thalavadi Ramavarmath family near Thiruvalla. A Sanskrit scholar, Govinda Pillai, was known for his commitment to justice, much like the king himself.
When his nephew Padmanabha Pillai faced grave allegations, the case came before the same court. After hearing all the arguments, Govinda Pillai found his nephew guilty and awarded him the death penalty. However, shortly after the execution, the judge discovered that his verdict had been wrong and that his nephew was, in fact, innocent.
Overcome with guilt for having caused the death of an innocent man, Govinda Pillai could not forgive himself. He appealed to the king to punish him instead. Initially, the king refused, but eventually relented and entrusted Govinda Pillai himself with carrying out the sentence.
In an act that stunned the kingdom, Govinda Pillai sentenced himself to a brutal public execution. He ordered that he be hanged by both legs in public and that his body remain suspended at the site for three days. The sentence was carried out soon after.
From Tragedy to Worship
Following these events, a series of misfortunes reportedly struck the region. A renowned astrologer advised that the souls of both the judge and his nephew had not attained salvation. Subsequently, Govinda Pillai’s soul was given samadhi at his ancestral home in Payyamballi, Cheruvally, while his nephew’s soul was enshrined at a temple in Thiruvalla, nearly 50 km away.
Later, an idol of Jayammavan was installed at the Cheruvally Devi Temple. In 1978, a descendant of Govinda Pillai constructed a separate sanctum for him within the temple premises, outside the main shrine of the goddess.
Temple Timings and Location
The temple opens for only 45 minutes each day. Worship begins at around 8 pm, after the doors of Goddess Bhadrakali’s main sanctum are closed. The primary offering here is Ada, prepared using raw rice flour, sugar or jaggery, and coconut. Devotees also offer coconut water, betel leaves, and areca nuts.
The Cheruvally Devi Temple is located on the Punalur Muvattupuzha Highway, between Ponkunnam and Manimala. The nearest railway station is Kottayam, approximately 37 km away.
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