Temples

As per the history, this temple initially belonged to the Royal Namboothiry family. As their empire declined, the ownership of this temple was given to the Viswakarma society and is presently administered by a trustee of Anchumana Viswakarma Dharmodharana Samajam. There are twenty-two branches at the Districts of Kottayam, Ernakulam and Alapuzha. The deities of God Ganapathy, God Ayyappa, God Subramanya, God Nagadevatha, God Hidumba Swamy, God Hanuman, God Brahmarakshas, God Arukola and God Khandakara Swamy are enshrined and worshipped at this temple.

The devotees offer various kinds of gifts to the deities in the temple. A prayer called Vivahasooktha Pushpanjali is conducted in the temple in front of God Annapurna Swamy on every Monday to help discard obstacles in marriages of girls. Another prayer called Guruthi Pushpanjali is conducted on every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday as a penance for devotees facing problems in their daily life.

As per local legend, the deity in the temple was consecrated by Paravur Thampuram. He used to visit Mookambika in Karnataka for worship once in a year. In one year, he prayed to the Goddess saying that he might not be able to visit next year to old age. It is said Goddess Mookambika came along with Thampuram. (Mookambikayil ninnum bhajichu kondu vannu kudiyiruthi).

For, thousands of years, this temple was unknown and unseen to the public. About 300 years ago some villagers located it accidentally. One day, when it was raining a lady worker went inside the cave. There she started sharpening her sickle. Meanwhile she found a red liquid on her finger tip and feared, it was cut, she checked it. But she could find no mark of any injury.With anxiety and curiosity she observed the rock part where she sharpened her sickle. To her great surprise, she saw the same liquid slowly coming out drop by drop. Her anxiety grew up. She ran to the villagers and told them about the incident with a choking voice and sobs. They immediately rushed to the spot with thrilling hearts. They found the rock site, watched keenly and carefully.They saw the same liquid coming out.They started removing the bushes grass and creepers slowly and carefully. They convinced the presence of some super human power there. They were stunned when they saw the complete shape of the deity. Some of them went into ecstasy. With folded hands they paid their respects and ‘Pranams’ to the Lord.

This temple is renowned for religious harmony. Regardless of caste or creed persons could enter the temple and perform the worship themselves. They were free to touch the lord’s feet. Even before Kerala temple entry promulgation, perhaps, Irunilamkode temple stood first in the history of religious harmony. A number of devotees, not only from Kerala but from Tamilnadu and Karnataka also visited the temple. MUNIYARA (DHAKSHINAKAILASAM) is a small man-made cave (Muni-hermit;ara-cave). It is at the top of the hill-lock. There were other similar types of caves here. They have been demolished by natural erosive powers. The only one cave now retaining is under the protection of the temple authorities. An idol of 'Sivalinga is installed and worshiped inside this cave. Devotees visiting the temple are also expected to visit this cave also to fulfill the purpose of their visit.
The histories of these caves are marvellous and interesting. Long ago ardent devotees from various parts of the country highly intoxicated with God fervor came here. They stayed here and practiced rigorous spiritual sadhanas. They built these caves with the help of villagers to protect themselves from hot sun, cold and wild animals. The villagers fed them and met other necessities. So they could merge in their sadhanas full time deeply. As a result some of them got realization or vision of God. The rest of their life stayed here giving spiritual advises those who approached them.

In course of time these seekers attention was diverted to some other centres. Subsequently these caves and rock remained isolated and uncared.

The temple's origins is attributed to a legendary story of Muthassiar Kavu Bagavathi, the chief deity of Muthassiar Kavu (grandmother's temple) nearby. It is said that the goddess and her three beautiful daughters (including Kodikkunnathamma) had been strolling along the river on a summer night, when the youngest daughter became fixated by a Harijan dance festival. The legend suggests that when she refused to leave upon the conclusion of the event, the goddess ordered her to be the Harijan's guardian deity, leading to the creation of Kanakkar Kavu (a sect of Harijans).

Later, the remaining two sisters were said to have quarreled after witnessing the ritual of an animal sacrifice. The younger became engrossed in the ritual and settled in Kodungallur where blood sacrifices are common, leaving the elder to live in Kodikkunnu. The two sisters' dislike for the younger resulted in the closing of their temple doors in the direction facing towards Kodungallur, leading to the absence of a southern entrance at the Kanakkarkavu and Kodikkunnu Temples.