Perunthachan (also, Perumthachan), literally the Chief architect, belongs to the folklore of
Kerala. Incredibly talented, this master craftsman is credited with the design and construction of many ancient temples all over the state. Unmatched brilliance in geometrical calculations coupled with ingenuity gave his creations enduring beauty, conferring him with mythical powers. Legends abound as to his prowess in the field. Even today, several prominent shrines in Kerala claim their ancestry from structures originally built by Perunthachan.