Kakkayam Sree Kirathamoorthy Temple bearing an ancient tradition and dedicated to Lord Siva is situated at Punnathura, a village 5 km away from Ettumanoor. This is equidistant from Kottayam and Pala. Though the idol consecrated in the Sanctum Sanctorum is Sivalinga, the implied imagination of the deity is Kirathamoorthy not common in southern part of Kerala. The fact that the Sanctum Sanctorum is facing eastward and that the temple is on the banks of a river (Meenachil) with its waters gently touching the stepping stones leading to the front portion of the temple, during the flood seasons is important. The legendary belief about the temple is as more follows. Many hundred years ago Kavana Maharshi did thapas here on the banks of the river. Once while travelling in a country boat it suddenly stopped at a particular portion where it was very deep (Kayam). As he felt some divine power here the saint took a stone (Kal) from the water and did the prathishta just on the banks of the river. It may be said that the name of this locality Kakkayam is evolved from the words Kalkayam. Besides the main deity there are sub deities of Ayyappan, Ganapathy, Yakshi, Nagaraja and Nagayakshi also. Dhara for Kirathamoorthy, Neeranjanam for Ayyappan usually on Saturdays and Ganapathy Homam are regular rituals. Billwapathra Archana is considered to be an important offering to Kirathamoorthy. On the day of star Thiruvathira Ada Nivedyam is offered to main deity. Pradosham is also important. Sivarathri festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm. Ayilyam Pooja is offered to the Nagaraja and Nagayakshy. Bhagavatha Sapthaham was regularly conducted for the last twelve years. The temple which was in its ruins has been renovated recently with Ashtabandakalasam, Brahmakalasam and other offerings, with an enormous vigour and strong co-operation of all sects of people and devotees near and even abroad. Chuttumathil and Gopurams which were not in the original structure of the temple only are the portions left unfinished to be taken up as new work at a future date. The temple was in the possession of five Brahmin families of which three families Padinjare Kuzhiyadi, Kizhakke Kuzhiyadi and Krodhamangalam are involved in the affair of the temple presently. Kakkayam Mahadeva Kshetram Trust is doing the administration of the temple.