Kakkayam Kiratha Moorthy Temple

This temple bearing an ancient tradition dedicated to Lord Siva is situated at Punnathura, a village 5kms away from Ettumanoor. This is equidistant from Kottayam and Pala. Though the idol consecrated in the Sanctum sanctorum is Sivalinga, the implied imagination of the deity is Kirathamoorthy not common in southern part of Kerala. The fact that the Sanctum sanctorum facing eastward direction and that the temple is on the banks of a river (Meenachil) with its waters gently touching the stepping stones leading to the front portion of the temple, during the flood seasons is important. Besides the main deity there are sub deities of Ayyappan, Ganapathy, Yakshi, Nagaraja & Nagayakshi also. Dhara for Kirathamoorthy, Neerajanam for Ayyappan usually on Saturdays and Ganapathy Homamare regular rituals. Billvapathra Archana is considered to be an important offering to Kirathamoorthy. On the day of star Thiruvathira Ada Nivedyamis offered to main deity. Pradosham is also important. Sivarathri is celebrated. Ayilyam puja is offered to the Nagaraja and Nagayakshy. Bhagavatha Sapthaham was regularly conducted for the last twelve years. The temple which was in its ruins has been renovated recently with Astabandakalasam, Brahmakalasam and other offerings, with an enormous vigour and strong cooperation of all sects of people and devotees near and even abroad. Chuttumathil and Gopurams which were not in the original structure of the temple only are the portions left unfinished to be taken up as new work in a future time. The temple was in possession of five Brahmin families of which three families Padinjare, Kuzhiyadi, Kizhakke, Kuzhiyadi and Krodhamangalam are involved in the affair of the temple presently.