There is a Hindu shrine dedicated to Sree Varaha Murthy which is a tourist attraction near Cherai. The temple belongs to the Gowda Saraswat Brahmin community of Kerala. It is considered as the only Sampoornakshetra (complete temple) of the Nagara type in South India. Hence it is a sight that cannot be missed while on a trip to Cherai.
It is believed that the idol of Sree Varaha was installed at Azheekal in 1565. Later the location developed into a prominent temple of South India. It houses all the 7 deities of the Gowda Saraswatha Community. There is also a temple Ratham (chariot) in the temple which was dedicated to the deities in 1909. The religious location also served as a sanctum for preserving the community's unique mode of worship, language, and culture. Still, they maintain an identity of their own even though they mingle freely with other communities in Kerala.
