Kappadath Tharavad is an ancient Nair Tharavad of Palakkad in Kerala State.It is believed that Kappadath Nair Tharavad existed some five hundred years ago at Koppam near Pattambi in South Malabar District of the Madras Province.Later the entire family moved to Koppam in Palakkad of the then South Malabar District due to epidemic, famine or request of the Ruler Samuthiri Raja of Kozhikode, or civil disturbance and to protect mainly the women and children of the family and other male members.Due to increase in the number of the family members some "Thavazhy"moved out from Koppam to Marutha Road and then settled in Pallatheri some five Kilometers south east of Marutha Road.At that time the then Karanavar built a Naluket house similar to the one at Marutha Road,but with more space and style to let in more light and breeze.Both the family members at Marutha Road and Pallatheri kept close contact in all occasions of the worship of the family Deity,marriage functions,funeral rites etc.
Sree Mookambika Devi is our family Deity.During the stay of the family at Marutha Road one of the Karanavars established the family Deity in the "Thekkini"(south side) room.The Deity was Known as "Kappadath Sree Paradevatha Bhagavathy"(Sree Mookambika Devi)and regular Poojas at different times of the year were conducted by the karanavar from the income of properties and/or by donations from the family members.Most of the family members from Pallatheri Tharavad attended the various poojas conducted at different times of the year.In addition to the Paradevatha Bhagavathy,a peedom was established in the Thekkini representing the ancient Karanar who established the Paradevatha Bhagavathi and Poojas were conducted for both the Paradevatha Bhagavathi and karanavars in the Thekkini room.Nagadevathas(Sarpakkavu),Bramharakshas and Mahavishnu were installed in the southwest corner(Kannimoola) of the compound of the Marutha Road Naluket and worshipped at different times of the year.
The Pallatheri Branch of the Kappadath Tharavad establised their own Nagadevatha Temple with the presence of Mahavishnu and Ayyappan.We could achieve to relocate The Nagadevathas to better premises.(as seen in the prasnam).Puna Pradishta was done for Nagadevathas,Sree Ayyappan and Mahavishnu in grand manner in the year 2006.(Malayalam month-Medhunam, Star-Punartham).Gradually The Kappadath Tharavad at Pallatheri branched out into Puthan Veedu,Pazhaya Veedu and Kizhakke Veedu.All the members of the three branches participated in the Nagadevatha Poojas at Pallatheri.Family members from Marutha Road did not participate in the Nagadevatha Poojas held at Pallatheri.But all the members of the Pallatheri branches Participated in the Paradevatha Poojas at Marutha Road.
However,in 1966, the worship of the family Deities were discontinued by the then Karanavar of Marutha Road branch and his successors followed suit.Many of the family members were advised by astrologers that the non-performance of the worship of the family Deity was an ill-omen for the whole family.After this long break,in 2005,the then Karanavar,Late Balakrishnan Menon who was in the nineties and physically handicapped,and the then de facto Karanavar (who is the present incumbent)were of the considered opinion that poojas will never be stopped ,however the family has to have sufficient income from endowments and in perpetuity.On this ground the then Karanavar Late Balakrishna Menon and the de facto Karanavar Sri.Kappadath Ram Menon contributed a total of Rs.Five thousand towards the initial expenses of the annual Poojas to the family Deity.
The different Thavazhy members of the Marutha Road branch wanted to demolish the Naluket and carry out partition of the landed property.In that situation,the Paradevatha Bagavathy in the Thekkini room will be non-existent.In the circumstances an Ashtamangalya Preshnam was conducted at Pallatheri and it was found clear that Paradevatha Bhagavathi and the Karanavar were willing to move out from Marutha Road and come to Pallatheri whole heartedly.As the family members who hail from Pallatheri constitute the largest block among worshippers,they decided to construct a temple at Pallatheri with the help of donations received from the members of the family.Kappadath Puthan Veetil Parukutty Amma's grand children donated five cents of land in the southern side of the Naluket Premises.Their attempt to build a temple at Pallatheri was partially completed only in 2009 with in the Kappadath Puthan Veettil (the Nalukeettu) and in April 2009 (15th Medam, 1185 in chothi nakshathram) re-installation of the Diety took place. Children and grand children of Kappadath Puthan Vettil Late Annalakshmi Amma and Kappadath Puthan Vettil Late Kamala Amma donated funds to construct the Kappadath Paradevatha Sree Kovil. The other paraphernalia such as Thedapally(Kitchen to prepare Naivedyams for the Poojas), storeroom, office room, fresh water supply, toilet facilities and dressing room etc may be built based on availability of funds. Pallatheri Perikencherry Bhagavathy temple, Kallingal Chemitti Bhagavathy temple and Puliyakav at Karingarapully are our adimakkavu. Poojas are performed by family members as per the direction in the Ashtamangala charthu and in accordance with traditional customs and practices.
In addition to the above, "Sreechakra" Pooja is being performed by Late K.P.C.Menon and family at Polpully in Sri Mai Temple on Dec 23rd every year and this tradition is being continued.Kappadath family members normally attend this pooja at Polpully.Also at Siva Temple, Polpully during "Sivarathri Day", First Yama Pooja to the Lord Siva is being offered by our Tharavad for the past several years and is still being continued.
