The origin of Pulikakavu Bhagavathy Temple is connected with the royal dynasty of Chembakassery. There was an illam (home) named Pulikal Chembakassery in Kudamaloor of Kottayam District and only a mother and her son lived there. They lead a very poor life. During Tippu’s military assault a few Nair soldiers from Malabar reached Kudamaloor and asked several wealthy families for food and shelter. They did not help them but directed them to the Chembakassery illam saying they will be helped and supported by the illam. The poor Brahmin boy of the illam without any hesitation sold his small gold necklace (urukku) and provided food and accommodation for the more soldiers. Soldiers understood they were cheated by the wealthy class. They prayed to their Goddess Bhadrakali, sitting in Sreeporkali hills and gave a sword which was adored by them to the Brahmin boy. He was advised to travel with the sword and the places where he traveled would become under his ownership. All the places he traveled and conquered were united and thus formed the state of Chembakassery. This Brahmin boy became the king of the state and known as Deva Narayanan.  Deva Narayanan who established the kingdom of Chembakassery with the help of soldiers from Malabar adored the Goddess Bhadrakali as his upasana moorthy. Deva Narayanan decided to construct many Bhadrakali temples for his victory over enemies and the prosperity of the country. Towards north-west of the present Pulikakavu Temple he established a kalari and invoked Goddess to a holy weapon and installed it there. Years ago, the place where the present Pulikakavu Temple is situated was a kavu (grove). When the presence of Goddess was experienced in that place She has been invoked and installed under a Poovilanji tree and worshipped. At this incidence the Goddess’ statue made of wood have been taken to Kodungalloor via Pookaitha River a tribute of Pamba. The boat in which the statue was placed could not be moved from the western side of the present temple and there was an echo from the air to install the statue in the grove where the Goddess is present. Same statue has been installed in the grove and later the temple was constructed and consecrated. The presiding deity is Goddess Bhadrakali (Sree Porkali Bhagavathy) who is in anger after the slaughter of demon Darika. The old Poovilanji tree where the Goddess was primarily installed is still in the north east of the temple. Temple is known as Pulikakavu because the Goddess was the upasanamoorhty of the Brahmin Kings of Pulikal Chembakassery illam. The sub deities are Ganapathy, Sarpayakshi, Yakshi, Brahmarakshasu, Sasthavu, Sivan, Nagam, Kodumkali, Anamarutha and Arukola. The thanthric rites of the temple belong to Ambalapuzha Puthumana Illam. During his rule the king entrusted the protection of the temple to his commander in chief’s Mathoor family. The administration of the temple is given to Perumanoor family of Chembumpuram and Chakkalaparambil family of Vaishambhagom. From them the administration was handed over to the N.S.S Karayogams of both places. Pulikakavu Devaswom which is a union of Chembumpuram No.1626 Devi Vilasam N.S.S. Karayogam and Vaishambhagom No.855 T.P. Veelukutty Menon Memorial N.S.S. Karayogam made many improvements for the welfare of the public. The Devaswom has constructed two libraries in both the karayogam areas during 1953. Chembumpuram Vijnanaposhini and Vaishambhagom Sahrudaya are A grade libraries and Devaswom is giving yearly maintenance fund as grant to them. In 1961 the Devaswom donated one-acre land and Rs.10,000 to the Government for the construction of a preliminary health centre in Chembumpuram when there were no hospitals in Nedumudi panchayath. To avoid drinking water shortage Devaswom gave sanction to construct a bore well in their land in 1968 and pure water is supplied to various areas from there from 1983 onwards. Devaswom building has been given to run a Govt. L.P. School and a land also given for a play school. Devaswom permitted to construct a building in their own land for the Govt. U.P. School when there was no place for the school in Nedumudi panchayath. The administrators of Devaswom took interest and constructed a road from Alappuzha - Changanassery road to Chembumpuram and gave 20 cents of land to Chembumpuram milk producers’ co-operative society at a cheaper price. Now a Govt. veterinary hospital and the office of milk producers’ co-operative society are working in this place. Likewise, any development in the area has been influenced by the Devaswom administration until now. Co-operating with all communities this administration with the blessing of the Porkali Devi developed these areas.