The Nedumkunnam Bhagavati Temple is undoubtedly one of the oldest temples in Kerala. The word 'Kavunnada' is derived from the words 'Kavu' and 'Nada' both related to the temple. The Nampoothiris of Edamana Illam of Nedumkunnam, trace their ancestry to the 237 Tulu Brahmin families, who were brought in 1617 AD (792 ME) by Kolathiri Raja Udayavarman and got settled in five desams in Perinchallur (Read:Sagara Dwijans of Kerala, Namboothiri Websites Trust). Later, the then Travancore Raja brought 185 of these Saagara families to Thiruvalla. They are generally called Thiruvalladesi Embraanthiris. All of them follow the customs of Namboothiris.
Nedumkunnam's ancient historical status is indicated by its geographical proximity and easy accessibiliy using waterways (River Manimala) or the road, to the ancient towns or ports of Niranam, Kaviyoor, Tiruvalla, Changanassery, Kottayam and Alappuzha. Vaipur on River Manimala had Christian settlements from the thirteenth century and must have been a center of timber trade using timber from the forests of Nedumkunnam, Manimala, etc.
The Chathanatt (Panicker) tharavad is believed to have originally owned the land comprising Nedumkunnam. This is not to dispute the fact that the native tribals (the Pulayas and the Arrayans) were inhabitants of the forest land. The Chathanatt kudumbom was reportedly, related to the Thekkumkur royal family (that had its headquarters in Kottayam and Changanassery). When Marthanda Varma Maharajah annexed Thekkumkur in 1750 AD, Nedumkunnam became part of the Travancore kingdom.
Towards the latter half of the eighteenth century, people started settling in Nedumkunnam. They cleared the forest areas and started cultivating various highland produce, such as tapioca, coconuts, black pepper, coffee, arecanut, ginger, etc. Trade in timber from the forests and the spices, increased.
The Mukkattu Syrian Christian family monopolized the spice and timber trade. They stayed near the temple. The Christians who were considered high caste, because of their merchant status, according to tradition, had to purify with their touch, the oil and the butter or cream, used in the local Hindu temple.
Trade flourished with use of the waterways (Manimala River) from nearby Vaipur (6 km South) to the Arabian Sea Coast (Purakkad & Alappuzha). With the introduction of bullock carts, the produces were taken by land using bullock carts through the land route to Changanacherry (about 16 km to the West).
Some of the earliest Christian families, tracing their ancestry to 250 years, are the families of Thathakatt-Nechikatt (an offshoot of Edoor Tharakans of Vaipur), from whom the families of Puthiaparampil, Pandikunnel, Elavunkal and Mullankuzhy derive their present status. There are several other ancient families in Nedumkunnam like Vazheeparampil, Kumbluvelil-Cherukaramuttam,Pathalil-Kattoor, Cherusseril, Cherukara Muttom, Kandankary, Peelianickal , Pullomparampil, Alunkal, Othara, Kidithara etc. among the Syrian Christians.
About 200 years ago, the Syrian Christians who settled here built a church. The St. John Baptist Church, as per records was first built in 1803.
Prominent Hindu families include Idamana Illam (Namboodiris), Ottapurakel, Vazhuvely, Chembakassery, Prayattu, Kollamala, Valiyaveettil, Valakalil, Chathanatt, Vazhuvelil Nilakkathanam, etc. Aikkarathondy Vaidyan, was a famous Ayurvedic physician in Nedumkunnam. The Cherukara Muttom family also became famous as Ayurvedic physicians in Nedumkunnam.
Towards the beginning of the twentieth century, there were around 120 families in Nedumkunnam. Half of these families were the Harijans or natives.
There were a few Brahmin families in Nedumkunnam, like those from the Idmana Illam, who looked after the temple affairs. They also owned most of the land in Nilampodinja.
A few Muslim merchants (the Rowthers) contributed to the commerce and trade in Nedumkunnam. Some of the prominent Muslim families are: Chiranadayil, Theckumkattil, Veeranmala, and Thattaparampil