Please Download Our Android App to Continue Editing

It is believed that the idol has been used by Parasurama for Poojas and was left in Kandanalloor in Govindamuttom Backwaters from which it was recovered. It is said that all the landlords of Eakachakra (the then Haripad) had vision regarding the idol in the sametime which led them to find the idol in Kayamkulam lake. The idol was brought ashore at Nelpurakadavu. In commemoration of retrieval of the idol Vigraha Labdhi Jalolsavam is conducted in Payippad river for three days, after Thiruvonam. Legend has it that the idol was kept for public viewing for Ara Nazhika (half an hour) under a banyan tree that belonged to a Christian family, Tharakanmar. There still exists a small temple where the idol was kept known as "Ara Nazhika Ambalam". The temple was consecrated on the Pushya star of Makara Masa. This day is celebrated as the founding day of the temple every year. It is believed that Lord Vishnu appeared as a saint to consecrate the temple. (Hence the name Harigeethapuram for the present Haripad). In Malayalam year 1096 the temple caught fire but the golden flag mast and the Koothambalam was savede. The temple was rebuilt during the reign of King Sree Chithira Thirunal Rama Varma and the golden flag mast was re-installed.

The temple has four gopurams. It has a golden flag mast on the eastern side. The temple's sanctum sanctorum is round in shape. The temple compound also hosts a Koothambalam (the third largest of its kind among Kerala temples). Peacocks, Murugan's vahana, are protected and housed in the temple premises. The temple pond, popularly known as Perumkulam is one of the largest temple ponds in Kerala, stretching over about five acres.