History
Chenappady Poothakuzhy Sree Krishnaswami temple, in its present form (as of 2015), was constructed and maintained by Sri Sreedharan Pillai, the Kartha of Nedumbra tharavad, an aristocratic Nair joint family. Well-versed in Vedas (Shruthi), Dharma Shasthras (Smrithi) and Upanishads, Sri Sreedharan Pillai wanted to construct a temple for his favourite deity, Bhagawan Shreekrishna. The search for a proper and auspicious place for the temple construction ended at a hilly area of west side of Chenappady, a place later known as Poothakuzhi, meaning “pure” or “immaculate” valley.
Temple construction was started under the guidance of Thanthri (Supreme Priest) Brahmashree Purushothaman Nambuthiripad of Kuruppakkattu Mana, a famous thanthric family in Kerala. The idol of Bhagawan Maha Vishnu in chathurbahu bhavam (4 hands form) in krishnashila (black hard rock) was sculptured at Chengannur, the land of traditional temple sculptors.
Sri Sreedharan Pillai was very fond of the temple festivals and this was visible in the grand scale and pomp seen in the festivals in the formative years of this temple. Utsavam (temple festival) used to start with kodiyet (flag hoisting) on Anizham star of Makaram month of Malayalam calendar followed by pallivetta (hunting by Almighty Lord) on Uthradam star and aarat (river bath for Almighty Lord) on Thiruvonam star in river Manimala near Idayaatkaav Devi temple. Kolam (thidamb) bearer used to be none other than the late Gajaveeran Thirunakkara Kochu Kompan (the famous elephant of Thirunakkara temple, Kottayam), accompanied by 9 other caparisoned elephants. Chenappady Poothakuzhy Sree Krishnaswami temple utsavam was celebrated not only by the residents of Chenappady but by the residents of adjacent areas as well.
Later, the temple faced difficulty in conducting its routine temple functions because of the financial crunch faced by the Nedumbra tharavad. Subsequently, the administration was handed over to Haindava Seva Sangham. However, Haindava Seva Sangham was also unable to raise the fund required for the maintenance of the temple and to conduct the festivals befitting its status. As a result, the temple was handed over to NSS Karayogam which in turn handed over to NSS Thaluk Union, Ponkunnam, for better upkeep. Accordingly, a committee was formed by the devotees residing nearby to help manage the temple and its properties.
In the ashtamangala deva prashnam (astrological findings) conducted by the famous Astrology scholar Sri Idavattom Gopinathan Nair in 2005, it was found out that in order to increase the temple’s deva chaithanyam (Godly powers)–
1. the shreekovil (sanctum sanctorum) needed to be renovated
2. Sapthaham (recital and explanation of Sreemad Bhagavatham in 7 days) to be conducted for a minimum of 7 consecutive years.
Accordingly, Sapthaham was conducted every year since 2006 by Swami Vishudhdhananda of Mattakkara Sreekrishna Ashram until 2012.
In 2014, the old shreekovil was removed and the deity was placed in balalayam (temporary abode).
As per the wishes of the devotees, rocks are used for construction of the shreekovil. It’s being done by well known sculptor Chengannur Mahesh Panicker under the guidance of prominent temple architect Vezhaparampil Brahmadattan Nambuthirippad.
