In उत्तर रामायण there is a story about how the पेअचोच्क् got its beauty. मयिल् in मलयालम् means पेअचोच्क् .

Once रावण set out in his पुष्पक विमान with his army of राक्षसस् , determined to gain victory over all Kings. They got down on the mountain called उशीरवीर . रावण examined the valley to see whether there were any Kings doing तपस् anywhere there. A King named मरुत्त was performing a याग called " माहेश्वर " in an आश्रम . इन्द्र and other gods were also present to receive the share of offerings ( हविर्भाग ). At the sight of रावण , the gods took different disguises and fled in panic. At that time इन्द्र assumed the form of a big peacock. As soon as रावण left the place, the gods reassembled there. From that time, इन्द्र who put on the disguise of a peacock felt a special attachment to that bird. He called the peacock and said:--"Till now you were blue in colour. But from today onwards, your feathers will have various colours. All my thousand eyes I transfer to you Besides, you will be immune from all diseases. Whoever kills you, will meet with death, soon after. You will dance at the commencement of the rainy season. People will greet you with enthusiasm."

It is because of इन्द्र 's blessing that Peacocks are so beautiful in appearance and dance at the onset of the rainy season.