Sree Subrahmanya Swamy temple at Haripad is one among the three oldest temples of Kerala. Daily a number of devotees come to this holy shrine. It is believed that the temple was established even before the advert of ‘Kaliyuga'. There are two legends connected with the origin of this temple. One is based on the story mentioned in the ‘Skandapurana' and the other is related to the payippad Snake-boat race. The story in the Skandapurana goes like this:-
When Tharakasura got a boon from Para Brahma that he could not be killed by anyone other than a small child, his atrocities grew to its climax. So the Devas suffered much. They decided to kill the Asura. Hence they sought the help of Parama Siva.
During ‘Dakshayaga' Dakshayani, the daughter of Daksha, and the better – half of Siva, jumped into the sacrificial fire and killed herself. When Siva heard of her tragic end he becake very sad. He went to the Himalayas and began a deep penance. At this time Parvathy, the daughter of Himavan, became passionately fond of him and by their union a baby-boy was born. This boy, Karthikeya, who was endowed with divinity and empowered with divine weapons, got ready to fight against the Asurs. Having got the permission and blessings of his parents, the boy Karthikeya, took command of the Deva army and waged a fight against Tharakasura and his army.
At the same time, Parvathy Devi, who was very anxious about the success of her son in the battle, observed ‘Shashtivritha' for her son's victory.
Karthikeya fought very bravely against the Asura army ad defeated them. He also killed Tharakasura with his divine weapon ‘Sakthivel' (a lance with three sharp pointed ends). On this return from the battle he was accorded a warm welcome by Sree Hari (Maha Vishnu) and the Devas. As Sree Hari san ‘Geethams' (songs) during the reception, the place was known as ‘Harigeethapuram'. On the other hand, it is believed that since the foot prints of Hari and the Devas were imprinted on the earth, the place was known as ‘Hari pada puram' and later it was shortened to form Haripad. In memory of the presence of Sree Hari, Subramaniya and the Devas, the people of the locality built a shrine to worship them. Today, we can see those foot-prints at the eastern main entrance of the temple.
The above –mentioned episode reminds us that at one time in the history of this place there remained the divine power of ‘Bala Subramanya'. But it was only in the 16 th century a proper sample was established for the deity. The legend behind this, as handed down from generation to generation goes like this:-
One day a Brahmin of the locality had a dream in which a divine form appeared before him and told him that there was an idol under water somewhere Kandalloor lake, a place west of Kayamkulam. The next day he flashed the news to the important person of the village. They however, decided to go to the place in country boats. When they reached there they noticed a number of flowers floating on one particular spot. Some men dived into the water ad they were able to lift a beautiful four armed idol of Subrahmanya. They placed the idol in the boat with reverence and rejoiced themselves by singing songs in praise of the Lord and rowed the boat through the water – ways to Haripad, via Cheruthana and Payipadu. The procession at last came to the Nelpurakadavu, a place in the eastern part of the village. Then a Christian family welcomed them courteously and allowed them to take rest in their granary yard. From there, the procession with the idol in front, proceeded to Haripad and the idol was set up on the next day at the present location.
Unfortunately in 1096 M.E. a huge fire broke out and consumed the entire wooden structure of the temple leaving behind the presiding deity unburt. The then ruling maha Rajah of Travancore Sree Moolam Thirunal Marthanda Varma, issued orders for immediate renovation of the temple and the re-construction was completed in a short period. Besides separate abodes were constructed for Maha Ganapathy, Lord Sree Krishna and Sree Dharma Sastha etc within the walls of the temple.
The architectural and sculptural works of the temple are commendable and attractive.
There main festivals are celebrated at this temple every year. During the month of April ‘Chithira' festival is conducted on a grand scale with elaborated in the month of Chingam (August/September). It also lasts for ten days. On the third day of Onam thousands of people throng on both sides of the Peyippad river to witness the boat race which has been conducting in commemoration o the installation of idol at the temple .
Markazhi festival is celebrated in the month of Dhanu (December / January) Which ends on the day of Thiruvathira. It is also a ten–day festival.
Thrikkarthia, Thaipooyam, Navarathri pooja etc are other important celebrations of the temple.
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