The Legend about Kerela One of the persistent beliefs about the origin of Kerela is an ancient lore. Lord Vishnu, the protector in his 6th incarnation as Parashurama slayed 21 evil warriors and after the ferocious battle he prayed to Gods for a secluded place to perform his penance. The Gods designed to give him the land he chose. On hearing that, Parashurama threw his axe into the sea in a wide arc and commanded the water in the area to retreat. The land that rose dripping from the sea became Kerela, the land of prosperity and land of God's.