The History

The Apostle St. Thomas landed in Kerala during AD 52. Many high class families were baptised to Christianity by him. One among those aristocratic families was the ‘Kunnathu’ family, otherwise known as ‘Kunnathu Tharavadu’. This Tharavadu had many families, and one among them embraced Christianity though the other families in the Tharavadu remained Hindus and worshippers of the temple. It is known that even today the members of this Tharavadu are the worshippers — viz ‘Ooraimakkal’ — of this old temple at Kodungalloor.

Kodungalloor was one of the most important ports in Kerala at that time, very famous for its foreign trade. Spices like Cardamom, Pepper and Ginger, and hill produce like Sandalwood, Teak wood, Rose wood and elephant tusks attracted foreigners from far and wide. Because of this, St. Thomas could easily land in Kerala along with traders and preach Christianity, converting many Hindu families.

The ‘Karanavar’ (head of the family) had to face many difficulties owing to his conversion to Christianity, as many members of the same family still remained orthodox Hindus. He found it difficult to continue at Kodungalloor as a Christian with a new way of worship, so he moved south and settled at a place called ‘Kaduthuruthy’ in Kerala. From there the family moved to ‘Kalikavu’ — said to be a haunted place where those who lived were killed by ‘Kali’, a Hindu goddess known as “mother of death” during the night. Unknowing these things, the Karanavar sought and received permission from the ruling prince to settle in the suburbs of the hill at Kalikavu.

The Kartha (ruling prince) and his ministers visited the place the next day and were surprised to find everyone quite alive, contrary to their expectation. The Karanavar and his family members received them warmly and told of their conversion, showing the cross at the door of every hut and a larger cross at the centre where all members gathered morning and evening for worship. The ruler was pleased and appointed the Karanavar as his advisor.

The family lived there for some time. The hill and the surrounding area became well-maintained and flowery plants were planted around each house, making it look like a flower hill. The family may have derived its name from this: the family name ‘Kunnathu’ became ‘Pookkunathu’, members were known as ‘Pookkunnel’, and later it became ‘Pukkunnel’ (Flowerhill). There are still some family members who maintain the original family name ‘Kunnathu’.

Again the families moved to Kuravilangadu, where there were Christians and a church for worship. At Kuravilangadu there are still some families with the family name Pukkunnel, belonging to the Roman Catholic denomination. From there the families moved to ‘Mailakombu’, and then to Kothamangalam, where there is an ancient church — St. Mary’s Valia Pally. The families lived in and around Kothamangalam.

One Karanavar of the family had settled at a place called ‘Puthupady’ in the suburbs of Kothamangalam. He had great influence over the ruling Kartha and was granted special privileges. At that time Christians were not allowed to build homes other than huts, but this Karanavar was allowed to build a house comparable to the Kartha’s palace, though smaller in size. The Karanavar later bought a Kalari (martial arts training ground) and Kavu (small temple) at Karakkunnu from the local Panickar, and changed it to a place of worship in the name of St. Mary — the patron saint of the Pukkunnel family. Thus the Syrian Christian Church of Karakkunnam had its origin. The once-beautiful church has been meticulously reconstructed, retaining all of its architectural charm. It is now a thriving parish with over 700 families, a vital part of the Angamaly Diocese.

The facts mentioned above were gathered from people of different generations living in different parts of central Kerala. There are some families who live outside Kerala. The families at present belong to different denominations like Jacobite, ICS and Pentecost. All family members strive to attend the annual general body meeting of the ‘Kudumbayogam’ to show their love and affection for each other, as they are all descendants of the same grandparents.

Traditionally the family is one of the temple worshippers, maintained even now as Christians. The tombstone inside St. Mary’s Church, Kothamangalam shows that even during the 17th century there were priests in the family. At present there are three priests in the family: Rev. Fr. Liju Paul (Chicago, USA), Rev. Fr. Baby Paul Chelakkara, and Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Pukkunnel, Muvattupuzha. Rev. Fr. P.M. Kuriakose Cor. Episcopa passed away at the age of 101 in 2008 at Kothamangalam, and his brother Rev. Fr. P.M. Joseph, Cor. Episcopa passed away at the age of 90 in 2016 at Kothamangalam. Late Rev. Fr. Paul P. Isac is another priest in the family. The priests before late Rev. Geevarghese Pukkunnel at Kothamangalam and late Rev. Fr. Avirah Pukkunnel Puthuppady were unmarried. Late Rev. Fr. Avira Joseph Pukkunnel was the “Priest Trustee” of the Jacobite Syrian Christian Association and second opponent of the “Vattippana Case” of the church, along with the first opponent Late His Grace Paulose Mar Athanasius Metropolitan of the Angamaly and Malankara Metropolitan of the church at that time.

The family owns Fr. Joseph Memorial Higher Secondary School at Puthuppady, under the management of Sri Prasad P. Varghese Pukkunnel. Late Rev. Fr. Joseph Pukkunnel was a member of the Legislative Council of Travancore. There are many teachers, doctors and advocates in the family doing good service to the community.

In 1984 the family formed the Pukkunnel Kudumbayogam (Flowerhill Family Association), which continues to meet annually. For full details see the Kudumbayogam page.