Puliyamkottu Arackal
SREE BALABHADRA HANUMAN SWAMY TEMPLE KURUPPANKULANGARA, CHERTHALA

About

As there are no historical documents about the ancient family, known history begins with the Karanavar Kuttappa kurup and Sankara Kurup.

Puliyamkottu Kudumbam has 3 Sakhas(branches). (1)Arackal (2)Valappichira (3)Vadakumthala(Thenkapurackal). Arackal Sakha consists of 5 main families, that is, (1)Arackal (2)Unnikkandan veedu (3)Thekkevely (4)Mattathil (5)Vadakkevely. The present eldest member (karanavar) of the family is Smt: Padmavathyamma Elenjiyil.

Sree Balabhadra and Hanuman Swami are the family deities of Puliyamkottu Arackal Kudumbam. The family has an old Madom, called Arackal Madom, built in typical Kerala Vasthu style. Originally, two stones installed at the south western part of the Madom were worshipped as the symbol of the deity. In those days , the only form of regular worship for the deities here was daily lighting of the oil lamps by family members.. Special family poojas and annual family poojas were performed inside the Madom.

Later, at the initiative of Arackal Kunjukuttiyamma, mother of Bhavaniyamma, Sankranthi pooja was started for the deities. Around this time, Unnikkandanveettil Sivaramakurup planted an Arayal [banyan tree] in front of the Madom premises and also constructed a fence providing an enclosure around the spot where the deities were consecrated.

Major developments happened in the year1974-1975.. Under the able and dedicated leadership of Elenjiyil Kuttappa Panicker , Thekkeveliyil K.P Madhavan Panicker,and Unnikandanveettil Narayana Kurup, and with the full co-operation of family members, beautiful temples were constructed in the same places where Sree Balabhadra and Hanuman Swami were earlier consecrated. Prathishta of the deities was performed by Thanthrimukhyan Puliyannoor Kunchuthirumeni.

From time immemorial, there were 5 Sarpakavu situated at 5 different places on the Arackal family property. In the year ..... all these Sarpams were shifted to the Arackal Madom compound and consecrated adjacent to the temple on its southern side.

In the year (In late 80’s) with the active support of the family members, a new Madom building was constructed in view of the dilapidated condition of the old Madom. A pandhal was also constructed in front of the two temples. With the financial aid of Aji Thekkevly, a beautiful pandhal was constructed in front of the Sarpaprathishta. Haridas Unnikkandanveedu provided funds for the construction of the compound walls around the the Madom compound. Granite slabs were laid on the floor inside the temples and carved steps were constructed in front of the temple with the fund provided by Sri Ramachandrakurup Thekkevely. Sri Sivakumar Unnikandanveettil (Chimmen) dedicated silver “anki” to both the deities.Sri Gopinatha Kurup, Thekkevely dedicated "Prabha" to both the deities.Kalvilakku erected in front of temple and Sarpa Prathista by Shri P.K Soman and Gopinatha Kurup.

Recently, the old Madom was renovated, without changing the old vasthu style. This was achieved with whole hearted help and support of all the family members and the relentless efforts of the renovation committee headed by P.K. Soman Unnikkandanveedu(Elenjiyil).

The temple is being efficiently and smoothly managed by a 11 member committee. P. K. Radhakrishnan Unnikandanveettil [Elenjiyil] has been the president of the committee from it's inception. The first secretary of the temple committee was Sri. Sasindhara Natha Kurup. The present secretary is Shri P.k ChandraMohan Unnikkandan Veetil.

Temple Thanthri is Brahmasree Puliyannoor Aniyan Namboothirippadu. Present Melsanthi of the temple is Shri Rajagopalan Potti. Kalasam, that is Prathista day [anniversary of consecration] is celebrated in the month of Mithunam on Atham nakshatram. All members of the Arackal family attend the Kalasam Utsav. Family members and also other residents of the locality light oil lamps in front of the temples daily. Sankranthi pooja is performed every month by family members . Special poojas are performed by family members on special occasions on other days of the month. On all these days poojas are performed by the Melsanthi in the morning, afternoon and evening .Also , Bhagavathiseva is performed inside the Madom in the evening on these days.

Vidhyarambham (Durga and Saraswathi pooja] is celebrated every year with full participation of family members and other devotees in the locality. Sarpapooja (Thalichoda) is performed twice a year on Patham udayam and Thulam masam Ayillyam. The temple complex has also been the venue for happy occassions such as weddings and choroonu of family members. With the blessings of Sree Balabhadra and Hanuman Swami,all the members of Arackal Kudumbam are leading a peaceful and meaningful life.