Punnayoorkkulam is known for its ancient temples and kaavus. Even today, the kaavus that stand adjacent to kalaris [training arenas] as well as family-owned temples are maintained in good condition.  Most of the temples, that gave birth to folk art forms like Poothan and Thira, Karinkali and Nagakkalam in the days of yore, are now under the care of local resident communities.  Punnayoorkkulam also has about 20 mosques, including the Andathode Cheriya Palli where the votive offering ritual called Chandanakudam nercha has been going on for the last 150 years, uninterruptedly.  The only church in the village, St Antony ’s Church, is located in the tenth ward of Attuppuram.

Temples

• Kapiyarathu Bhagavathy Temple

Kapiyarathu Bhagavathy Temple is situated at Nakkola, ward no. 2 in Punnayoorkkulam panchayat. It is an ancestral temple with Goddess Bhagavathy as the presiding deity.

• Makkalikkal Temple

Makkalikkal Temple is situated at Nakkola, ward no. 2 in Punnayoorkkulam panchayat. ‘Vela’ during Meena Bharani is the important festival celebrated here. The celebrations involve performances such as Karinkali, Poothan and Thira.

• Cherayi Padinjakkara Kalari Temple

The temple is situated close to the ancient Cherayi Kalari in Punnayoorkkulam. Some remains of the Kalari can still be seen around. Bhagavathy is the main deity here along with other sub-deities including Nagas.

• Vattaparambil Bhagavathi Temple

The temple is situated at Nakkola, ward no. 2 in Punnayoorkkulam panchayat. Makara Bharani is the important festival celebrated here, during which Karinkali, Poothan and Thira are performed. ‘Ayyappan Vilakku’ is another ritual performed here during the Malayalam month of Vrischikam. The temple is managed by the locals.

• Maambatt Bhagavathy Temple

Maambatt Bhagavathy Temple is an ancestral temple located at ward no. 2 in Punnayoorkkulam. The presiding deity here is Goddess Bhagavathy.

• Kozhpaamadam Bhagavathy Temple

The main festival at Kozhpaamadam Bhagavathy Temple at ward no. 3 in Cherayi is on March 4.  Thalappoli ritual over four days is an important part of the week-long festival celebrated here. The celebrations also involve rituals like Thira, Karinkali and other cultural events like theatre and choir.

• Korankaavil Temple

It is an ancestral family temple located at ward no. 3 in Cherayi.

• Praarathu Temple

Another ancestral temple located at ward no. 3 in Cherayi is Praarathu Temple. Festivals and Nagakalam rituals are observed here.

• Kuniyathu Temple

It is an ancestral temple located at ward no. 3 in Cherayi.

• Chooral Purath Temple

Chooral Purath Temple is an ancestral temple located at ward no. 3 in Cherayi.

• Sree Thrippat Siva Temple

The temple is situated at ward no. 4 in Thrippat. The shrine has Lord Shiva as the main deity and is known for its Shivarathri festival celebrations. Women perform Thiruvathira and take part in other cultural events. Other festivities would include ‘Thalappoli’ and ‘Vilakku’. The festivals are organized and conducted by the locals.

• Punnookkavu Bhagavathy Temple

Punnookkavu Bhagavathy Temple at Thrippat is dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy. The ‘Vela’ festival celebrated here falls on the month of January. ‘Kalampattu’ is an important element of Vela. During earlier times, there used to be ritual dance forms like Mookan Chathan and Thira performed for the festival. Now the celebrations involve performances like Karinkali and Theyyam.

• Korachanaattu Bhagavathy Temple

The temple is located at ward no. 5 in Mavinchode and has Goddess Bhagavathy as the main deity. The shrine used to be an ancestral temple but the family later relinquished the ownership of it. The main festival celebrated here falls on the Malayalam month of Kumbham. Celebrations involve rituals like ‘Ayyappan Vilakku’ and performances of Karinkali and Thira.

• Naduvathu Temple

It is an ancestral temple located at ward no. 6 in Punnayoorkkulam.

• Moothaathon Temple

Moothaathon Temple is an ancestral temple located at ward no. 6 in Punnayoorkkulam.

• Pattikkara Ancestral Temple

It is an ancestral temple located at ward no. 7 in Punnayoorkkulam and is taken care of by the family.

• Thottupurath Temple

Thottupurath Temple is an ancestral temple located at ward no. 7 in Chemmanur North.

• Kottiyattil Bhagavathy Temple

It is an ancestral temple located at ward no. 7 in Chemmanur North.

• Manchirakkal Sree Bhagavathy Temple

This ancient temple is situated at ward no. 8 in Chemmanur South. The main deity here is Goddess Bhagavathy. The main festival celebrated here falls on Karthika asterism in the Malayalam month of Medam. Prathishta Dinam, as when the idol was consecrated, is also celebrated as a ceremonial affair.

• Sree Paroor Siva Temple

The temple is located in Paroor at ward no. 9 and has a Swayambhu idol. The main festival celebrated here falls in January.

• Kanjangattu ancestral temple

It is an ancestral temple located at ward no. 10 in Attupurathu. The Prathishta Dinam, as when the idol was consecrated, is celebrated here on Aswathy asterism in the Malayalam month of Kumbham.

• Kalarikkal Kavu

An ancestral temple located at ward no. 10 in Attupurathu. There’s a Sarpa Kavu / Sacred Grove situated close to the temple.

• Dhandan Swami Temple

The temple is located at ward no. 11 in Althara. The main festival celebrated here falls on the Malayalam month of Makaram.

• Naalu Veedu Temple

It is an ancestral temple located at ward no. 12 in Punnookavu.

• Pananthara Ashari Kavu Temple

The ancestral temple located at ward no. 13 in Kadikkad is also known as Kadikkad Kavu and Karimbanakkal Kavu.

• Kadikkad Siva Temple

The temple is located at ward no. 13 in Kadikkad and its festival falls on the third Friday on the Malayalam month of Makaram. The festival is conducted by the three localities in the area and includes performances like Thira, Kaali and also Thaalapoli by the villagers.

• Kaattusseri Temple

It is an ancestral temple located at ward no. 12 in Kadikkad.

• Edakkara Sastha Temple

The temple is located at ward no. 13 in Kadikkad and its festival falls on the 10th of the Malayalam month Dhanu.

• Sree Govindapuram Maha Vishnu Temple

It is an ancient temple situated at ward no. 11. There’s a temple pond and a banyan tree near the premises.

• Perothu ancestral temple

An ancestral temple situated at ward no. 14 in Puzhikkala. Kalam Pattu festival is celebrated here on the Malayalam month of Makaram. Naga Kalam and Annadhanam are also organized during the festival.

• Kanhangad ancestral temple

It is an ancestral temple situated at ward no. 14 in Puzhikkala and is managed by a family.

• Cheraparambu Temple

It is an ancestral temple situated at ward no. 14 in Puzhikkala.

• Peruvaazhipurath Bhagavathy Temple

The temple is located at ward no. 15 in Edakkara. The main deity worshipped here is Goddess Bhagavathy.

• Paarampurakkal Kavu Temple

It is an ancestral temple situated at ward no. 18 in Andathode.

• Periyambalam Subramanya Swamy Temple

The temple is situated at ward no. 19 and its festival falls on December 26. ‘Shoolam Oottal’ is the main ritual practised here. Kavadi and Shingarimelam are all performed as part of the celebration. Elephants and temple chariots can also be seen for procession during the festival.

• Vettakkorumakan Temple

The temple is situated at ward no. 1 in Thangalpadi along the National Highway. This is the only Vettakkorumakan temple in the panchayat and is managed by the locality. Rudrabhishekam is performed every month on Makayiram asterism. Pattulsavam festival is celebrated on the 15th of Malayalam month Edavam, along with other rituals. The ritual of breaking 12,000 coconuts is a specialty at the temple.

• St. Antony’s Syro Malabar Catholic Church, Attupuram

The only church in Punnayoorkkulam panchayat is situated at ward no. 10 in Attupuram. Its parishes are spread over two panchayats. The main festival of the church is celebrated annually on the second Sunday that follows Easter. The prime attraction of the festival is taking out of the arrow in a procession in the accompaniment of band set.

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Mosques

• Thangalpadi Masjid-e-ilahi
Thangalpadi Masjid-e-ilahi is a mosque situated at ward no. 1. The main rituals performed here are during the Eid-e-Milad, Bakrid and Ramzan celebrations.

• Periyambalam North Rifayi Masjid

Periyambalam Rifayi Masjid is a mosque situated at ward no. 10 in Periyambalam. The main rituals performed here are during the Eid-e-Milad, Bakrid and Ramzan celebrations. 

• Kettungal Masjid

The mosque is located at ward no. 2 in Nakkola. Eid-e-Milad rally and Annadhanam during fasting are organized here.

• Nakkola Niskarapalli

The mosque is located at ward no. 2 in Nakkola. Eid-e-Milad rally is a significant event here.

• East Cherayi Niskarapalli

The mosque situated at ward no. 3 in Cherayi is also known by the name Peruvanathu Palli. Eid-e-Milad rally is the main celebration here.

• Kothode Juma Masjid

Kothode Juma Masjid and Bapputty Musliyar Makham are situated at ward no. 5 in Mavinchode. A festival is celebrated here annually to commemorate the death anniversary of Bapputty Musliyar. The celebration involve Eid-e-Milad rally, the recital of Maulood and distribution of food.

• Amal Masjid

The mosque is located at ward no. 7 in Chemmannoor North. The main festival celebrated here is Eid-e-Milad.

• Salafi Masjid

The mosque is located at ward no. 7 in Chemmannoor North. The main festival celebrated here is Eid-e-Milad.

• Vadakke Kunnu Niskarapalli

The Mosque is located at ward no. 7 in Chemmannoor North. The main festival celebrated here is Eid-e-Milad.

• Manchira Palli

The Mosque is located at ward no. 7 in Chemmannoor North. The main festival celebrated here is Eid-e-Milad and a rally is conducted grandly during the festival.

• Thazhathel Palli

This ancient mosque is located at ward no. 6 in Punnayoorkkulam. The main festival celebrated here is Eid-e-Milad.

• Chemmannoor Mahallu Jama’ath Palli

The mosque is located at ward no. 8 in Chemmannoor South. The main festival celebrated here is Eid-e-Milad and a rally is conducted grandly during the festival.

• Vaakkayalil Palli

The mosque is located at ward no. 8 in Chemmannoor South. The main festival celebrated here is Eid-e-Milad.

• Njaliyil Juma Masjid

The Mosque is located at ward no. 9 in Parur. The main festival celebrated here is Eid-e-Milad and a rally is conducted grandly during the festival.

• Korothayil Juma Masjid

The mosque is located at Punnookavu ward. It was here that electricity supply was first introduced in the panchayat. Eid-e-Milad is celebrated grandly here.

• Kadikkad Palli

The mosque is located at the 12th ward in Punnookavu. Eid-e-Milad rally is conducted grandly here.

• Mujahid Salafi Masjid

The mosque is situated at ward no. 15 in Edakkara. There’s a rally by children here during Eid-e-Milad celebrations. A Salafi madrasa and a Sunni madrasa are also located nearby.

• Hira Masjid

The mosque is situated at ward no. 17 in Kumaranpadi. The Eid-e-Milad festival is celebrated here in a grand manner.

• Cheriya Palli

The mosque is situated at ward no. 18 in Andathode. The important festivals celebrated here are the Swalath anniversary and Eid-e-Milad. Food is distributed during the festive occasion.

• Andathode Palli

The mosque is situated at ward no. 18 in Andathode. There is a ‘Jaram’ or sacred tomb of two unknown saints located here. The Chandanakudam Nercha festival celebrated here lasts from April 1 to 10. The Nercha which is around 150 years old is a grand affair that includes a procession of 20 elephants accompanied by Chendamelam, Thamber and Tholkkali.