History
According to Hindu puranas, Kerala is also known as Parasurama Kshetram, 'The Land of Parasurama', as the land was reclaimed from sea by him. Parasurama planted the 64 Brahmin families in different villages of Kerala, whom he brought down from the north in order to expiate his slaughter of the Kshatriyas. Shukapuram Gramam is one of the most important of these 64 villages. Each Namboothiri family of Shukapuram had unique rituals to follow.
In ancient times, Akathekunnath Mana was situated at Allannallur village near Mannarkkad. There were about 60 Bhramin families situated in that village. The priests at the village temple were from Akathekunnath Mana and the divine rituals for village deities (Lord Shiva and Lord Subramanian) were performed by them. Akathekunnath Mana follows the traditional rituals strictly even today. The idols of Lord Shiva and Lord Subramanian worshipped at the mana are believed to be installed by Naranathu Branthan.
About 800 years ago, a member of Akathekunnath Mana was appointed as the chief priest of Cherpulassery Ayyappankavu. So the family came to Cherpulassery and settled at Nellaya-moloor.
Bhrahmarakshassu Nivaranam
The old stories say that a Namboothiri from Padinjaredathu Illam, who was widowed and had no children, advised members of Akathekunnath Mana about the importance of worshipping Kodungalloor Bhagavathi. He told that misfortunes occurred in his family due to lack of devotion to Bhagavathi, the divine mother. He stressed on the importance of worshipping the powerful divine mother, by strictly following the rituals and customs. Following his words, with his blessings, members of Akathekunnath Mana started worshipping Bhagavathi. As a result they prospered and also gained the power to perform Bhrahmarakshassu nivaranam.