Legend of Mazhoor Sri Balarama Temple

Balarama, the elder brother of Sri Krishna is regarded as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Out of the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, only the Sri Krishna incarnation is the complete one, while the rests are partial ones (Amsha Avatharas). Some others believe him to be the manifestation of Serpentine Anantha (Anatha Naga) who is quite identified with Lord Vishnu. However, there are a few temples dedicated to him and there are very few devotees worship him. One such temple is there in the Kannur District of Kerala which is located about eight kilometers from Thrichambaram Sri Krishna Temple.

Balarama is the first peasant king in our world. He was a king who was very particular about the prosperity of his country and its subjects. At a time, when Vrindavan hit with severe drought, he requested River Kalindi to change her path and provide water to the farmers of Vrindavan, but she did not listen to his words. Furious Balarama, dug the sides of the river with his mighty plow and took the river water to the Vrindavan. Although he has been depicted as a savior of peasants in the epics, it is quite astonishing that there are very few devotees for him in a country that mainly depends on agriculture for revenue.

Anyway, now let us talk about Mazhoor Sri Balarama Temple. You might have read the legend behind Thrichambaram Sri Krishna Temple, which has been published in this blog. We have mentioned there that Sage Narada presented two idols, one of Sri Krishna and the other is of Balarama for that temple. That idol of Balarama has been brought here and consecrated in this temple.

Puthukkudi Perumthatta Illam was one of the prominent families in that area who had several rights on Thrichambaram Sri Krishna Temple. Once, a person was there in that family who was an ardent devotee of Lord Sri Krishna. He used to visit Thrichambaram Temple daily to worship god. As time passed he became old and weak. He could not go such a long distance by walk. The fact that he had to stop his temple visit made him sad and depressed. He prayed to god for a solution.

One night in his dream, Lord Sri Krishna came and told him that the next day morning he could see the calf with the name Dharmi near his house. The place where she put cow dung should be dug and there he will get a Salagramam (a holy stone which is believed to have divine powers). Further, Sri Krishna insisted him to dig a pond at that place and keep the salagramam inside it. He asked the devotee to consecrate an idol of his elder brother near the pond and start worshipping.

The very next day, the man saw the calf Dharmi near his house and followed the instructions of Lord Krishna. He took out the Salagrama first and then dug a pond there and kept the holy rock inside it. Then he brought the idol of Balarama from Thrichambaram Temple, which has been presented by Sage Narada and consecrated near the pond after constructing a temple.

In the beginning, we told you the story of Balarama, changing the route of Kalindi. That is told in Maha Bhagavatham. An almost similar incident happened at Mazhoor also. Once, Mazhoor experienced severe drought as experienced by the people at Vrindavan. There was no rain and the crops have been destroyed due to the lack of proper watering. The entire village suffered a lot due to this. Then the head of the Puthukudi Perumthtta Illam family got touched with the miseries of his fellow villagers. He went to the Balarama Temple and shouted at the deity.

Can’t you see people suffering from drought? Why are you holding the plow in your hands? That is a weapon for farming and not a decorative piece. If you cannot help us, then what is the point in calling you the Peasant King?

Once the shouting is over, the man got repented. He thought that he did a wrong thing by calling the lord with such words. Then he consoled himself that the lord can understand his agony and will forgive him. Yes, the Lord Balarama not only forgave the devotee but blessed him too with a lot of showers. The very same night Mazhoor experienced heavy rain. 

Shakthan Thampuran and his Commanding Power

As mentioned many times earlier in this blog, Kerala has been divided into several feudal states and was being ruled by different kings. Kochi, the erstwhile princely state which covered part of Ernakulam and Thrissur Districts have been ruled by the kings of the Perumbadapp dynasty. Shakthan Thampuran was one of the prominent kings in that dynasty. His real name was Rama Varma and as he had a strong body and mind people used to call him Shakthan which means a strong person in the local language Malayalam.

Shakthan Thampuran was instrumental in starting Thrissur Pooram, the famous festival at Thrissur. The present-day “Thekkinkadu Ground around the Vadakkumnatha Temple was a dense forest, mainly consisted of teak trees. Many wild animals were living inside and people feared to go to the temple after the dusk. Although, Shakthan Thampuran used to stay at Tripunithura, the capital city, he used to visit Thrissur frequently. Actually Thrissur was the first capital of Princely State of Kochi.  During one such visit, he planned to cut down all the trees in the forest surrounding the temple allowing people to visit the temple even after dusk

As he was supervising the work, the oracle from the nearby Paramekkavu Devi Temple came there as if he has invoked the divine power of Goddess Devi. He shouted at the king

“This is the beard of my father and you should stop clearing it off.”

Shakthan Thampuran, who is well known for his determination, asked another question in return

“Where were you and your father when Tipu Sultan came and looted the temple?”

This question provoked the oracle and he shouted louder

“Hey, are you testing me? Then I will show who I am.”

Saying this, oracle started beating his forehead with his own sword. However, his sword was not sharp and failed to make any deep wounds on his forehead. Thampuran came nearer him and told calmly.

“It seems that your sword is not sharp. Even I have one with me and let us test it.” Saying that Thampuran placed his sword on the head of the oracle and pulled it down, cutting the body oracle into two pieces. Then he kept the sword back as if nothing has happened.

After clearing the forest off, he called the people and asked them to arrange for a festival so that people can assemble there in large numbers. That is the present-day Thrissur Pooram.

At that time, the Travancore Dynasty was on a spree to expand their country by attacking the nearby small countries but feared to attack Kochi as they are heard about Shakthan Thampuran. There is a ritual called Mura Japam at Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple at Thiruvananthapuram and Brahmins used to assemble there in large numbers. It is more like a festival with free food served to all three times a day. Once, Shakthan Thampuran went there in disguise of a Brahmin to enjoy the festival. When he was having a bath at the temple pond, the king of Travancore identified him and sent his minister to bring Thampuran.

He came and met the king. On asking why he has come without prior information, Thampuran told that otherwise, he will not be able to enjoy the spirit of the festival fully. As per the request of King of Travancore, Thampuran stayed there for three days. One day, both the kings were chitchatting after lunch. They were sitting on the second floor of the palace. Then the King of Travancore enquired in a light mood whether there will be anybody who will jump down from the second floor. Shakthan Thampuran said there maybe somebody.

Then the King of Travancore asked his soldiers whether they can jump or not. Everyone has come near the balcony and nodded no after seeing the depth. Then Shakthan Thampuran looked at his soldiers who were accompanying them. Immediately one by one came near the balcony and jumped down. Everyone got injured in some way or the other and they all have been taken out for treatment. The next day when the King of Travancore visited them, he asked why they jumped even though they knew that they will be injured.

“At least we have a life now. We would have lost it if we were not ready to jump.” This was their answer which clearly shows the commanding power of Shakthan Thampuran.

There is one another example of his commanding power. Once he arranged a feast for Brahmins at his palace. They enquired them how the food was. Then one of them told that it was good and would be better if there is any dish with jack fruit. Jack fruit is a seasonal fruit and that was not the season for jack fruits. Still, Thampuran asked them to come for lunch the very next day too. He asked his successor whether he can arrange Jack Fruit for tomorrow. He expressed his inability as it was not the season. Shakthan thampuran turned towards his commandant and ordered that he has decided to offer lunch for the Brahmins tomorrow and all the dishes should be with Jack Fruit.

Within no time, the entire force started spreading across the country. They raided each and every house and farms and collected all the jack fruits available. The next day, Brahmins had a nice lunch with all dishes made with Jack Fruit. 

Kodungalloor Kochunni Thampuran, a Great Scholar and Ayurvedic Physician

Kerala had given birth to many scholars in the past. These scholars have worked hard to reach the fame of Kerala till the horizons. Kodungalloor Kochunni Thampuran was one of them. Although he is more known as a renowned author in Malayalam and Sanskrit, he was an expert Ayurvedic Physician too.

Ayurveda, the traditional stream of medical science in Kerala is very popular nowadays around the world. There are many excellent doctors and institutions across the world who are practicing Kerala Ayurveda. Now it has been accepted as a medical science that can compete with modern medical science in any manner. Here is a story to prove the excellence of Thampuran in Ayurveda.

Although he was a native of Kodungalloor, he used to stay for more days at the Hill Palace in Triounithura, the capital city of the erstwhile princely state of Kochi. He was regarded as an advisor by the Kochi King and hence it was necessary for him to be there for more effective communication.

On those days, there was a toddy tapper, who was staying near to the palace and was suffering from leprosy. As he could not afford costly treatments, he did not go for it and hence the disease became serious. When it reached almost at the peak stage, he came to know about the presence of Kodungalloor Kochunni Thampuran at Hill Palace. Those were the days when untouchability was prevailing and he was barred from going near Thampuran as he belonged to a lower cast. Hence he sent the request for help through one of Thampuran’s assistants. Hearing it, Thampuran asked him to come inside the palace. As he was an untouchable as per the standards prevailing then, he hesitated to do so. Still, Thampuran forced him to come up and he went. Then Thampuran told him to take fifty seeds of marking nuts everyday in milk. 

Thampuran’s disciples shocked to hear this. The seeds of marking nut are highly poisonous and are being used by the washermen to put marks on the clothes. They use these seeds with high precautions while marking. When a single seed will create a lot of troubles when taken in, thampuran is asking to have fifty such seeds daily.

The toddy tapper expressed his inability to buy milk due to financial problems. Then Thampuran asked him whether he consumes toddy and he told yes. Then Tampuran asked him to have the seeds along with toddy.

Almost forty-one days are over and on the forty-second day, the toddy tapper came in front of the palace. He was completely recovered by that time and was healthier. He presented a bunch of bananas along with cash to Thampuran as a mark of respect. Thampuran accepted the bananas and returned the cash. 

Keleswaram Shiva Temple, the land where Markhandeya established his victory over death

Kalesvaram Shiva Temple is located in the Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. There is a Vishnu Temple on the western side of this known as Altharamoodu Sri Krishna Swamy temple. Both these temples have significant places in the story of Markhandeya who won over the death with his dedicated devotion.

Saint Mukunda was worried as he did not have a child even years after his marriage. He underwent penance to appease Lord Shiva and in the end, Lord appeared in front of him. When the saint revealed his ambition, Shiva gave him two choices to choose from. Shiva told him that either he can have a bright and intelligent child who will live only up to the age of sixteen or a foolish child with a larger life span. Saint did not spend a second to think over it and he asked for the intelligent and bright child with a short life span. Thus he has blessed with a son and he named his son as Markhandeya.

Markhandeya was very intelligent and brilliant and he learned all the Sastras and Vedas at a tender age. Everybody liked him very much because of his good behaviors and vast knowledge. He was a role model for others to point out. However, his parents got worried as he was nearing his sixteenth year. Brilliant and intelligent Markhandeya could make out that his parents are worried a lot and he asked for the reason. Unable to withstand the pressure they told him the truth. They told him that Lord Shiva gave him only sixteen years and now the time is fast reaching for him to end the life.

However, Markhandeya did not worry after hearing and he consoled his parents saying that he can win over the death with selfless devotion of Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. He started worshipping them ardently from that day onwards. The fateful day approached and Markhandeya saw two soldiers of Yama, the god of death approaching him. He ran to nearby Vishnu Temple and prayed. Immediately Lord Vishnu appeared in front of him and asked him to move fast to the nearby Shiva temple and pray to Lord Shiva. Vishnu gave him a handful of sand and ask him to keep it within his hand till he enters the temple so that the soldiers of Yama cannot catch him.

He ran to the nearby Shiva temple and entered inside it. He directly went near the Shiva Linga Consecrated there and held it tightly with both the hands. Seeing that, the soldiers of Yama went back as they do not have the power to fight with Lord Shiva. They returned to the Yama Loka and informed Yama about the happenings. Angry Yama, who was very strict in carrying out his duty went himself to catch Markhandeya.

When Yama approached Markhandeya, he was praying to Lord Shiva, chanting the Panchakshari Manthra and holding the Shiva linga tightly with both the hands. Yama did not care about it and throw the rope to tie Markhandeya. The rope got tied around the Shiva linga too and when Yama pulled it with all the force, Lord Shiva got angry. He appeared there and killed Yama and blessed Markhandeya that he will live for another hundred years. Later Shiva gives rebirth to Yama on the request of other gods.

The Vishnu Temple in this story is believed to be the Altharamoodu Sree Krishna Temple and the Shiva Temple is Kelapuram Shiva Temple. As this myth is strongly placed in the minds of people, Mruthyunjaya Homam being done in this temple is believed to have great powers. Many people have been protected from unnatural and untimely deaths with the help of Mruthyunjaya Homam at this temple. Another point to clarify the relation of this temple with the story of Markhandeya is the western side gate of the temple. It will be kept open on Shivarathri and believed to be doing so for Markhandeya.

Legend of Beema Pally, One of the Ancient Mosques in India

Kerala, the southernmost state in India is also known as God’s Own Country. Although the beautiful landscape and greenery played an important role in earning this name, various myths and fairy tales existing all over the state too has a role in earning the state such a beautiful nickname. Myths in Kerala is not related to any particular religion or cast. Here is a story about the existence of famous pilgrim destination for the Islam in Kerala, Beema Pally in Thiruvananthapuram.

This Mosque, which is also known as Beema Pally Durga Sherif is located about eight kilometers to the southern side of the heart of the city, near Poonthura. Major attractions here are the tombs of Saidathunisa Beema Beevi and her son Mahin Abubakar. Actually, the legend of this mosque is all about the story of these two great persons who lived their whole life for helping the have-nots.

Saidathunisa Beema Beevi has born in Arabia and she belongs to the Khuraish clan which is the same as that of Prophet Mohammed. She has been brought up in a good manner and when she became a young girl, she became highly religious, generous, and kind. Many people loved to have her as a wife because of the virtues possessed by her. At last, a similarly religious and generous young man named Abdul Gaffar married her. Both of them have ardent love and selfless devotion towards Allah the almighty and gradually they attained the divine power as a result of their continuous prayers. They never used this divine power for amazing wealth, but used to help the hapless. They have healed many diseases with their magical power and accepted nothing in return. Thus both of them became famous throughout Arabia.

Meanwhile, Saidathunisa Beema Beevi gave birth to a son, Mahin Abubakar. He was an intelligent child who learned everything at the first instance itself. He underwent proper education prevailing on those days and started helping his parents in their divine works when he became young. However, their happiness did not last long as Abdul Gaffar died one day. Although very sad, Saidathunisa and her son did not give up their service. They took it more vigorously as a respect towards the departed soul.

During that period, the political scenes of Arabia were undergoing a tremendous change. After the period of Prophet, three Khalifas ruled Arabia. After the time of the third Khalifa, many unscrupulous people started trying to grab power. Civil wars and quarrels became a common thing and the country lost peace. During that period, Saidathunisa had a dream in which an old person appeared and asked her to go to India. He told her that now Arabia does not require her service and there are many hapless people in India, who will find it as a blessing if she extends her helping hand to them. Taking those words are from Allah the almighty, she traveled to India along with her son and reached Kerala.

There they got settled in Thiruvallam in Thiruvananthapuram district and started their service to the poor and the needy. They have healed many diseases with their divine power and the word spread across the princely state of Travancore, of which Thiruvananthapuram was the capital city. They got many followers and disciples in due course of time. The increasing popularity of Saidathunisa Beema Beevi and her son made several officials jealous, but they hesitated to do something harmful to them as the King who was ruling then was very generous to foreign people who took asylum in his country.

Everything was going smoothly and Mahin Abubakar started off to Arabia for Hajj pilgrim. On those days, it was not an easy task and used to take several months to complete Hajj. When Mahin was on his way to Hajj, several government officials approached Saidathunisa Beema Beevi and demanded to pay the tax. On those days all foreign people staying in Travancore had to pay a tax as per the prevailing law. She told the officials that her son is away and requested them to wait till his return. The officials who were jealous of the popularity being enjoyed by the Beevi and her son did not listen to her prayers and started pestering her regularly.

When Mahin came back from the Hajj, he heard the stories of his mother being trouble by the officials and became angry. However, his mother prevented him from having a quarrel with them. After a few days, many officials came to their place along with some military personals and demanded tax. At this time a small quarrel developed between Mahin Abubakar and the officials, which has been developed into a direct fight. Unfortunately, a military official got killed in that and this made the officials angry. They started the fight with Mahin and shortly it turned to a riot at the end of which Mahin got killed. The message of son’s death was quite unbearable for Saidathunisa and she too died as her heart got broken with this news. She too had been buried near her son as per her last wish.

These two tombs are believed to have divine power and even now many devotees across the religion visit these tombs to heal their disease. There is a well near the tomb which is known as “Medicine Well” It is believed that Mahin Abubakar got killed at this place. People believe that any disease can be cured by drinking water from this well.

In the present day, the major festival being celebrated at this The mosque is “Chandana Kudam”. Devotees take seven rounds around the tombs with pots filled with sandal powder on their head on this day. 

Harihara Sasthrikal, a Rebel Devotee

We are living in a time when there are too many talks about one’s lifestyle and religion. Many conservative Hindus consider it is a sin to eat nonvegetarian food and such actions will certainly bar us from getting the blessings of God. At the same time, there are myths about many ardent devotees who never thought the consumption of toddy and no n vegetarian food are obstacles to attaining salvation. In reality, they have proved that dedicated devotion and firm belief are the only things to earn oneness with the god, and lifestyle does not matter. Harihara Sasthrikal is one of them.

There is a place called Kurathi which falls on the road from East Fort in Thiruvananthapuram to Atukal Devi Temple. A hundred meters away from the Kuryathi Junction on the right-hand side of the road you will come across a tomb which is a temple too. A shiv linga has been installed at this tomb to worship and it is believed that this tomb belongs to Harhara Sasthrikal, who lived during the period of King Sreemoolam Thirunal. He was a well-learned scholar and ardent devotee too. Being a scholar, he attained a special consideration from the King and has the permission to visit the palace and durbar at any time.

On those days, free lunch has been served to Brahmins at Sri Padmanabha Swami Temple. Harihara Sasthrikal also used to have lunch from there every day. Whenever he comes there for lunch he used to carry a closed pot and a small box type vessel. One day a Brahmin who was sitting near Sasthrikal found that the pot carries toddy (A drink-making from coconut) and the box type vessel contains fried meat. It was a great sin for Brahmins to have toddy and meat and it was even a greater sin when these things have been carried into the temple.

However, they were afraid to make a complaint about it to the King as Sasthrikal had a close rapport with the king. Still, one day they managed to inform the king about it. However, King was not ready to believe this. He asked the Brahmins, who came there to complain about Harihara Sasthrikal to prove the allegation with solid proof.

Very next day, they rounded Sasthrikal at Sri Padmanabha Swami Temple, when he came there to have lunch. As usual, he was carrying the pot and the vessel with him. They felt the smell of toddy and cooked meat and they carried him straight to the King along with the pot and box type vessel.

Once they reached in front of the King, Hariharashasthri was ordered to keep the pot and the vessel on the floor. Then the king turned to him and asked what is there inside the pot. Hariharasasthrikal, politely told the king that it contains holy water from River Ganges. Even at that time, the stringent smell was oozing out from the pot and hence the Brahmins insisted that the pot should be opened. As per the order of the King, Harihara Sasthrikal opened the pot and poured the liquid inside into the hands of King. To the utter shock of all, it was clean and odor-less water. Sasthrikal asked the king to consume it as it is holy water and the king did the same.

Quite astonished Brahmins were not ready to spare Sasthrikal. They asked Sasthrikal to open the vessel and Sasthrikal obeyed it. When he opened the vessel, there was a book inside and the king read the name of it. It was Srimad Bhagavatham. All the Brahmins who were enthusiastic to complain about Harihara Shasthrikal got blushed on these happenings and they felt sorry about making complaints about a stringent devotee. They believed that it was Goddess Devi who protected Harihara Sasthrikal as he was worshipping her with great devotion and a selfless mind. 

Legend of Thriprayar Sri Rama Temple

Among the various incarnations of Lord Vishnu, Krishna is being worshipped widely in Kerala and has a few temples dedicated to Lord Ram. Thriprayar is one of the most important temples in Kerala dedicated to Lord Sri Rama. It is believed that this temple was of Lord Ayyappa earlier and later the Lord Sri Rama has been consecrated as the main deity in the temple.

The legend behind the name “Thriprayar” goes to the period of the Vamana incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Aim for this incarnation was to kill the pride in Emperor Mahabali who otherwise was a noble person and an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. When the emperor stated boasting himself, Lord understood that it will be difficult to provide him salvation. In order to help him, Lord decided to destroy the pride in him. Lord appeared in front of the emperor in the disguise of a dwarf Brahmin boy and asked for alms.

Emperor Mahabali, who considered himself the greatest person in the world asked the Brahmin to ask anything under the sun and he will get it for sure. Then the Lord Vishnu in the disguise of Vamana, asked for three feet land which he can measure with his own feet. Although Mahabali felt insulted with such a humble request, he agreed for it. Suddenly, the dwarf Brahmin changed to the cosmic form of Lord Vishnu and lifted his right leg to measure the first feet. At that time, the sharp nail on his toes damaged the peripheral layer of heaven, and Ganga started flowing down to earth through the hole created with the nails of the Lord. First Ganga fell on his lotus flowers and then on the earth.

The Holy River Ganga, when it fell on the lotus feet of Lord, came to be known as Thri Pada Aru in the local language Malayalam, which means the river fell on the lotus feet of the Lord. The place where it fell on the earth also called Thri Pada Aru, which later got corrupted to “Thriprayar”.

As mentioned earler, it was an Ayyappa Temple earlier and later the idol of Lord Sri Rama has been consecrated here. There are two different stories about this idol. One is that the idol has been created by the Vishva Karma, the architect of Gods seeing the form of Lord Vishnu, which he revealed to the Demon Khara, before killing him. The second one is that Visva Karma created this idol, keeping in mind the figure of Lord Sri Rama at the time when Sita Devi disappeared into the earth. In any case, the common thing is that it has been created by Visva Karma, the architect of Gods and it is believed to be the idol which has been worshipped by Lord Krishna at his palace in Dwaraka.

Unlike in the other temples dedicated to Lord Sri Rama, there is no temple or idol of Hanuman in this temple. It is believed that the presence of the divine power of Lord Hanuman is everywhere in this temple and hence it is important to chant the “Sundara Kandam” or Ramayana daily in this temple. Another interesting feature of this temple is the special offering called “Meenoottu”. Here the devotees will feed the fishes in the river flowing along the eastern boundary of the temple which is believed to be a major offering for Lord Sri Rama.

Azhakath Rama Kurup, the rebel who fought British in His Own Way

This is rather a history than a myth. This is a real story of one of the many unsung heroes of Indian Freedom Struggle. British officials recognized the need for English education to Indians when they had suffered the scarcity of working force to work as clerks in various organizations. It was financially viable for them to bring people from England to work in India as clerks. Lord Me kale, decided to provide English education to Indians to overcome this hurdle. He did not want Indians to be smarter; hence he limited the education to produce clerks.

When the schools and colleges started teaching English as a language, Malayalam took a back seat. Those who are teaching English were known as Lecturers and Professors and those who teach Malayalam are still called as Munshis. Even the salaries for Malayalam teachers were meager when compared to those who teach English. Many eminent people such as Kaikkulangara Rama Warrier protested against this injustice by quitting their jobs or by rejecting offers. But many people had to accept the jobs due to their financial situations. Azhakath Rama Kurup was one such person who had to join in the Thiruvananthapuram Maharaja’s College as a Malayalam Teacher for a meager salary, as there was no other option for him to take care of his family. Still, he was not ready to sacrifice his self-respect and the prestige of his nation.

As per the rule prevailing on those days, the teachers should wear waistcoats as a part of their dressing code, but Rama Kurup never agreed for it and used to come to college in normal dressings. Although it continues for two or three days, the principal of the college who was a British could not tolerate this anymore. He strictly instructed Kurup to come to the college wearing the coat from the very next day onwards.

Readymade dresses were not available on those days and so was the case of taking dresses on rent. As mentioned earlier, the salary he used to get was meager and he was not in a position to pay for a waistcoat. So he decided to teach the principal a lesson. He went to a tailoring shop belonging to his friend and took the measurements for stitching a coat. Then he asked the tailor to stitch a coat with that measurement using scrap pieces of clothes dumped in a corner. The next day, he came with that multi-color, multi-design coat and wore it as he entered the staff room. Suddenly the news of this awkward coat spread inside the campus and students gathered around the staff room to see it. The news reached in the ears of the principal too. He came there and dispersed the crowd with great difficulty and then entered the staff room and told Kurup that he need not wear waistcoat from the next day and he can come in the normal dressing.

After this incident, Principal started to avoid talking to Rama Kurup. He felt like got insulted by an Indian who was a substandard man according to his standard. Still, he maintained a grudge against Rama Kurup and tried to find out some loopholes to teach him a lesson. He made it a practice to watch the classes of Rama Kurup to find out some fault or the other, but the students were happy as he was really a master in Malayalam and his teaching skills were excellent.

Days have passed and one day Rama Kurup was teaching Kathakali Padangal (Songs used for Kathakali, a traditional art form of Kerala) in the class. Suddenly the principal entered the classroom and enquired what he was teaching. He politely replied that he was teaching the songs of Kathakali.

“What teacher are you?” Principal shouted at Kurup in front of the students. “Don’t you know that you should teach them, practical classes? Why are you not conducting practical classes?”

Rama Kurup, who was naughty by birth, decided to teach him one more lesson. He told the principal with folded hands that many materials are required to conduct practical classes and it will cost a huge amount. Principal, who thought that Kurup was making an excuse to avoid practical classes, asked him to meet him before leaving the college that day. Kurup did the same. The principal handed over him money and asked him to get all the materials by the next day and start practical classes immediately.

Kurup directly went to a nearby temple from the college. There was a person who used to train people in Kathakali. He was very close to Kurup. With his help Kurup arranged some minimum make up materials, a drum a symbol, and a huge Nilavilakk (A traditional lamp of Kerala). The next day he brought everything to the college.

After a few minutes of starting the classes, there heard a loud voice of drum beats followed with songs. All classes got disturbed due to this loud voice. Principal and other teachers reached in front of Kurup’s classroom tracking the source of the sound. There they saw two students beating drums and symbols and others are dancing in tune with the music. Angry principal shouted

“Where is Mr. Rama Kurup?”

A person fully painted the face with blank ink came in front of him from behind the huge lamp and bowed in front of him with respect. The principal recognized that it was none other than Rama Kurup. This made the principal angrier.

“What the hell is going on here?” He shouted once again.

“Sir, I was conducting the practical classes for Kathakali as per your instruction. Being a subordinate of you, how I can help to obey your orders?” He asked with great humbleness and showing great respect for the principal on his face. Still, the principal could understand that Kurup was fooling him. However, he could not do anything as Kurup was just obeying his rules. He saw smiles on the faces of other teachers too who came there by this time. There was nothing to do for him other than ask Kurup to meet him in his office room.

Kurup went inside the office room along with the principal.

“Mr. Kurup, I have nothing more to say. You can stop practical classes from now onwards and concentrate on theories.”

“Sir, but we have spent a lot of money on the materials. What to do with that?”

“You may donate it to someone who is learning this art. I don’t care. But please don’t disturb me anymore.”

Rama Kurup left the room with a lot of happiness. He returned the materials to his friend in the evening and gave him a reasonable rent from the amount is given by the principal to purchase those materials. The balance the amount, which was many times larger than his monthly salary was enough for him to get rid of all his debts. 

Myth behind the Shaliya Cast

Shaliya is a strong community among the Hindus of India. By tradition they are weavers and they are known in different names in different states such as Padma Shaliya, Shaliya, Chaliya, etc. Although Hinduism had to bear a lot of blames due to the presence of a cast system, it seems to be the real strength of Hinduism. The cast has become a part of life, rather than belief in India and each cast has a myth about their existence. Here is the one about Shaliyas.

Usually, the people belong to this cast worship Lord Ganesha. Each house will have a separate place to worship their family deity. There they will place the Ganesha Idol and worship it. Most interesting factor is that, they will not depend on Brahmins to perform rituals; instead they will do it themselves.

It is believed that they were Brahmins once. There is a saying that “Brahmano Bhojana Priya” which means Brahmins love to eat. Believing in this saying it was a practice once to invite Brahmins to the house and offer them meals with different varieties of dishes. People believed that if they are satisfied with the meal, they will bless the family, and thus the life will be prospering.

Once there were about forty-eight families of Brahmins living in a village and they used to get invitation from different places to have food. They were very skeptical and were never ready to accept the quality of the food offered by the host. They will find some, or the other fault with some dishes and display it in front of everybody presented there to prove the food was not up to the mark. People started feeling irritated due to their unholy behaviors, still did not react to it as they all were afraid of the curse of Brahmins.

However, one day, a smart man decided to handle them properly. He invited all these forty-eight Brahmins to his house for lunch. He prepared many dishes to serve and along with them, he prepared chutney with prawns. Brahmins are strict vegetarians and they have never tasted prawns. Hence they liked the taste of the new chutney. Although they discussed to find out some faults, the taste of delicious prawn chutney prevented them from it. They all agreed for the first time in the life that the food was excellent. Then the host came out with a burst of loud laughter and revealed that the chutney was made of prawns.

It was really a shock for them as they are not supposed to have non-vegetarian food and as its consumption by Brahmins is a punishable act. If one or two persons have committed this crime, they could have hidden the matter to escape punishment, but as many as forty-eight people have consumed it and that too in public.
As they could not find a solution to escape the punishment, they went to the Tantric samaj and revealed the entire episodes. Then the chief of the samaj examined various books related to Vedas and decided the punishment. According to the chief, since they have tasted nonvegetarian food and that too with the tongue that chants Gayatri Mantra, they are not eligible to live on earth. He asked all of them to end their lives by submitting the same to the fire on the next full moon day. They have no other option, but to accept it.

On the very next full moon day all of them gathered at the banks of a holy river. There the priests from the Tantric Samaj have arranged a huge pyre with lots of logs. When the chief priest finished chanting holy hymns, all the forty-eight people came near to the pyre chanting Shiva Panchakshari Slokas to praise Lord Shiva. As they were about to jump into the fire, they all heard a voice from the sky asking them not to jump into the fire. It further told them that as they have repented their action sincerely, they all have escaped from the clutches of sin. Then the voice from the sky asked them to leave the place and get settled in a faraway village and take weaving as their profession. He mentioned that he will send his son Lord Ganesha to protect them. Thus they started their new life and came to be known as Shaliya Community. They regard Lord Ganesha as their family deity and worship him with specific rituals. 

Vettakkorumakan, the Exclusive God of Kerala

Hinduism is a rather complicated philosophy and each text or each word mentioned in the religious texts can be interpreted in many ways. In other words, Hinduism does not believe in dictums and it does not insist on a specific method to worship the almighty. It extends freedom to the devotees to communicate with the divine power that is omnipresent and omnipotent. Like in other religions, it is not mandatory for the members to observe weekly prayers or to gather at some specific places to worship. Similarly, Hinduism has mentioned about many gods, even when it insists that there is only one god. According to scholars, these are symbols of certain messages which the ancestors liked to pass to the next generation. One can have real knowledge by understanding and interpreting these symbols in the right way.

Among the various gods worshipped by devotees, you will come across with a god with the name “Vettakkorumakan” who has been worshiped only in Kerala and that too more in Northern Kerala. You will not find any mention of this god anywhere in the Hindu epics or other religious texts. There is a locally approved myth about Vettakkorumakan which depicts him as the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy. It is believed that the words, “Vettakkaran Makan” which means son of the hunter became “Vettakkorumakan”. The legend goes back to the period of Maha Bharath when the Arjuna underwent penance to appease Lord Shiva to derive magical weapons from him.

Arjuna underwent penance as per the guidance of Lord Krishna to please Shiva. His aim was to get the magical weapons, especially the “Pasupathasthra” from Shiva. Shiva and Parvathy appeared in front of him in the disguise of a tribal couple who were on hunting. A quarrel arose in between Arjuna and Lord Shiva in the disguise of a tribal hunter about a rabbit killed by arrows from both of them. Both of them claimed the ownership of the dead rabbit as it has been first hit by their arrows. None of them was ready for a compromise and thus the quarrel became a fight and which turned into a war of magical weapons. At the end of it, Arjuna recognized that the hunter is none other than Lord Shiva and fell on his feet and begged pardon. Pleased with the bravery of Arjuna and his expertise in arrow fight, Shiva presented him many magical weapons along with “Pashupathasthra”. Till here you will find the story in the epic Mahabharatha.

Now the legend, prevailing in Kerala begins from the point where Saint Veda Vyasa put a full stop to this story. It goes like this. After blessing Arjuna, Shiva and Parvathy spent many days inside the forest in the disguise of tribal hunters. There they got engaged in many romantic activities and fun. At the end, Parvathy gave birth to a child who resembles a tribal hunter. They left the child in the forest and went back to Mount Kailash. Before leaving, Lord Shiva has blessed his son with many magical weapons and the capability to fight with anybody in the world. The child has been brought up by one childless tribal couple who were also living upon hunting.

When he became a young boy, he started hunting in the forest. It was more a craze for him so that he went on roughly. Within a short span of time, all the animals in the forest got killed and there were no more animals for him to chase and hunt. Thus he entered the nearby villages and started challenging people to fight with him. Blessed with many magical weapons and with the blessings of Lord Shiva, nobody could defeat him. When the kings and feudal lords failed to contain him, he turned towards hapless people. When the cruelties became unbearable, people went to Mount Kailash and complained to Lord Shiva. Although he was not ready to take back those magical weapons and blessings from his son, he advised the devotees to pray to Lord Vishnu. As an answer to the prayers of devotees, Lord Vishnu appeared in the form of an old Brahmin. He went to Vettakkorumakan (who was known then as Vettakkaran Makan, son of Hunter) with a golden Paricha (a shield used to block the hit with a sword during the fighting) and narrated the special features of the paricha.

Interested with that, Vettakkorumakan insisted the Brahmin present it to him, but the Brahmin denied it. After strong requests, the Brahmin finally agreed to handover the Chrurika on one condition that he should not keep it down. Vettakkorumakan promised the same and accepted the present with his right hand after changing the bow to his left hand. Now with the golden churika in his right hand and as he cannot keep it anywhere because of the promise he has given, he found it difficult to use the bow to shoot arrows. Then the Brahmin changed to his original shape and appeared in front of Vettakkorumakan as Lord Maha Vishnu. He instructed him to go to the place which has been created by his incarnation Parasurama and be there to protect the people from all evil fates. Thus Vettakkorumakan came to Kerala.

After reaching here in Kerala, he met the King of Nilamboor and befriended him. It was Nilamboor King who constructed the first temple dedicated to Vettakkorumakan. This temple located in Nilamboor in Calicut district is still the largest Vettakkorumakan temple in Kerala. Although most of the Vettakkorumakan temples are situated in Northern Kerala, there is one such temple in Thiruvananthapuram also. However, the right for tantra in this temple is for the Brahmin Family located in Calicut district of Kerala.

Major rituals related to Vettakkorumakan is “Kalam Patu”, where the image of Vettakkorumakan will be drawn using five natural colors and will be rubbed off with tender coconut leaves by dancing in tune with songs that praise Vettakkorumakan. Throwing of coconut and invoking the divine power into one’s body are also being performed during this ritual.

Another Great Tantric who is not a Brahmin by Birth

Once, the right to perform tantric rituals was rested upon those who were Brahmins by birth. The time and history have already proved that the status of Brahmin, as mentioned in the Hindu epics cannot be attained by birth. Still, many people are reluctant to accept the truth. The effect of mesmerism, which kept generations under the Brahminical rule, maybe the reason for such a situation.

Here is a legend of Manakkadan Gurukkal, who was a great tantric and at the same time a great scholar. He was not a Brahmin by birth; still, he could master the art of tantra more than many Brahmins could. This great man lived in Karivalloor, in Kannur district in northern Kerala and was an Ayurvedic physician too.

Many stories of his greatness spread across Kerala and many people sincerely adored him as a personification of God. This created jealous in the minds of many people belonging to the upper cast, especially Brahmins. The king of Kolathiri, a princely state existed in Kerala before the independence of India, planned to test Manakkadan Gurukkal’s expertise in Tantra. King planned to put Gurukkal to a severe test. King and his cohorts believed that Gurukkal could not pass these tests and so he will get insulted and will run away from his country.

Actually, Gurukkal was undergoing some bad times in his life then; still, he could not reject the invitation of King as it was an order. He was sure that he will have to face many hurdles before reaching the palace and even after reaching there. He prayed to his family goddess and then started his journey along with his disciple Puthiyodan Nair.

On those days, traveling was not so easy and they had to travel by walk from Karivalloor and had to cross three rivers before reaching the king’s palace. They started their journey. When they reached near the first river, they could no see any boats to cross the river. Otherwise, there should be many boats to help travelers. Gurukkal understood that it was a test put up by the king. He did not speak anything, instead, hold the hands of his disciple and asked him to close his eyes. Then, Gurukkal performed a particular tantric ritual known as “Jalasthambham” by which the water in the river stood still. Both of them walked over it and reached the other bank. The same thing happened with the other two rivers, Pazhayangadi River and Valarpattanam River too. Finally, they reached the palace.

The doors were closed when they reached the Palace and there were no security persons too. It was another test. However, Gurukkal did not take aback. He caught hold of his disciple’s hand tightly and entered inside the palace with his tantric power. He went through the wall without breaking it. Once they reached inside the palace, Gurukkal saw many persons sitting on similar chairs with a similar royal dress. As he did not see the king before, everybody thought that he will get confused and will bow in front of someone among those. But Gurukkal identified the real king and bowed in front of him.

Then the king invited him for lunch. All others invited were belonging to upper casts and as per the system prevailed on those days, Gurukkal will have to take out the banana leaf which he used as the plate to have lunch. At the same time, those belong to the upper cast will not have to take it out as the servants will do for them. Sensing the insult well in advance, Gurukkal requested to serve the food on the leaf of cucumber and the same has been agreed. As the lunch is over, the leaf too disappeared. Thus, Gurukkal won all the tests.

On that evening King and his people enjoyed various performances done by Gurukkal. After finishing the performance, King gave him a list and asked to arrange all the forty “Theyyams” (A folk art form) by night. Nobody could arrange all those theyyams within a short period, still Gurukkal did it even without moving out of the palace. Here the most important thing is that there was no communication facility such as cell phones etc on those days. When Gurukkal won in that test, King expressed his desire to visit heaven and asked Gurukkal to help him. As they were talking, a rope came down from the sky just behind the king, and Gurukkal asked the king to hold it tightly. Slowly the rope went up as if someone is pulling it from up. Within a short time, everybody heard the loud cry of King saying that he could not withstand the sights and he wanted to come down. Then Gurukkal brought him down. With that test, King felt that if he continues, it will be he who will have to eat the pea, hence he stopped testing and send Gurukkal after honoring him with many awards.

Many years have passed and one day, Gurukkal called his favorite disciple Puthiyodan Nair and nephews and informed them that it was time for him to go from this world. He insisted they to constructed an underground cell with stone and leave a small hole for air circulation. He also instructed them to keep his books and pen inside the cell. After that, he entered the cell and asked them to close it. He also asked them to pour water over the cell for the forty-one days. Then the cell has been closed after he entered inside.

Nephews did according to his direction. On the thirtieth day, a nephew who was pouring water on the cell developed a curiosity to know what is happening inside the cell. He peeped through the hole meant for air circulation and at the same time, the pen of Gurukul, which has been kept inside the cell, came near and pierced his eyes. From that day onwards, no one dared to go near that cell which exists even today.  

Tharananalloor, The Last Word in Kerala Tantric Rituals

As told many times earlier, Kerala is being created by Lord Parasurama. After the creation of the land, he brought several people from other parts to live here. He has constructed many temples across Kerala and designated two Brahmin Families to take care of the Tantric part of the temple activities. Tharananalloor  and Thazhaman were those two families. There is an interesting myth about how those names have come to exist.

Lord Parasurama was sitting on the banks of Holy River Pamba. At that time heads of both these families appeared on the other side of the river. Parasurama asked both of them to come near to him immediately. Actually he intended to check their expertise in Tantra. When one of them crossed the river by walking over the waves, the other one crossed it by walking over the bed of the river. When the river stood standstill to enable the great tantric to cross by walking over it, it paved way for the other by keeping the water away from his way. The one who crossed the river by walking over it came to be known as Tharananalloor as he crossed it walking over it. The other one who walked over the river bed (Thazhe mannu in local language Malayalam means the sand beneath) came to be known as Thazheman.

Pleased with their expertise, Parasurama allotted the right of Tantra in all Sastha Temples to Thazhaman family and that of Devi temples to Tharananalloor family. As there were temples of other gods, these have been divided among them equally.  However, Tharananalloor Namboothiri, as the head of the family used to be known, had the rights of Tantra in different temples even outside Kerala too. He had the right to perform tantric rituals in the famous Madhura Meenakshi Temple in Tamil Nadu. He used to perform the rituals during the Kalabham Ceremony which has been conducted every year.

Once the administration of the temple has fallen in the hands of some new generation people who were not religious as much their predecessors were. They raised the necessity of performing Kalabham ceremony every year after spending huge amount. When the Tharananalloor Namboodiri came that year to perform rituals, the temple administrator demanded that he should be able to see Goddess Devi in person.

Namboodiri tried to deviate his attention to other things, so that he will not insist on it again. But the administrator stuck to his demand. Then Namboodiri told him that he can peep through the temple doors when Namboodiri performs the rituals after closing the doors. Namboodiri also warned him that he will not be responsible for any unwanted things, if something happens. Administrator agreed.

In the evening, when Namboodiri entered the temple for performing tantric rituals after closing the door, the administrator came in front of the door and peeped through the gap in between the two doors. He saw the ferocious form of Devi through the gap and fell down unconscious. Hearing his loud cry other people from the temple office came there and took the man away to the hospital. Although the hospital authorities tried their level best, he lost his eye sight and had to live as blind for the remaining life. Namboodiri did not know all these happenings and when he came out, people narrated him the entire incidents. He turned towards the sanctum sanctorum and told loudly.

“Oh, Goddess Ma, Now I am performing the rituals here. I am not sure whether my predecessors can do it or not. So I am surrendering my right to perform the rituals in this temple.” Thus Tharananalloor family ceased to be the Tantri of Madhura Meenakshi Temple.

There are many stories about performances of different Tharananalloor Namboodiripads, who were the heads of the family at different periods. Since it will consume too much of space, only one such story is being narrated here.

Once, the Namboodiri, then head of the family went to have bath in the family pond. It was early in the morning and the there prevailed silence in the atmosphere. Suddenly he heard a loud cry from the other side of the pond and sent his servant to enquire about it. Servant returned and told Namboodiri that Neelakandan, who was residing in the other side of the pond died due to snake bite and it was the cry of his wife and children they heard. Then Namboodiri told his servant that Neelakandan has not died and ask him to bring the body there.

Neelakandan’s family members brought the body to the pond side. He asked them to keep the body in an open space. Then He waited near the body holding a small stick in his hand. Hours have passed and nothing happened. Villagers started gathering at the place and there were some rationalists also among them. They started kidding Namboodiri. Still he waited there holding the stick and did not try to answer anybody’s queries.

After a few hours, a snake came there and raised its hood as if extending pleasantries with Namboodiri. Immediately Namboodiri asked his servant to bring milk and coconut water in two separate bowls. They have been brought and kept on both the sides of the body of Neelakandan. After that, Namboodiri turned towards the snake and told it.

“Take it back.” Snake went near the body of Neelakandan and bitted once again on his legs. It kept its teeth for quite some time and then came near Namboodiri. Namboodiri told it not to worry as he has kept milk there, it can dip its head in it. Snake did the same and to the utter shock of the crowd gathered there, the color of the milk turned blue. Namboodiri again instructed him to take back the poison and the snake obeyed it. This time Namboodiri asked the snake to dip the head in the bowl of coconut water and that too turned blue. When the snake finished sucking poison from the body of Neelakandan, Namboodiri broken the stick he was holding in his hand. Everybody presented there surprised to see the body of snake get sbreaking into two pieces. And adding more glory to the occasion, Neelakandan Waked up as if he was in a sleep.

By that time, Neelakandan’s relatives have made all arrangement for his cremation. The body of the snake has been cremated at that place and Namboodiri performed all rituals standing in the place of snake’s son. He even observed the deeksha (A ritual to be observed by the eldest son after the death of father) for a year.

Legend of Elavoor Thookkam, the Banned Ritual

How one can call it a religious ritual? Iron hooks will be pierced in the flesh of men and they will be lifted up with pulley and rope. Then the Thookkam Chad, which can be called primitive cranes will be taken around the temple and the people will dance to the rhythm of drum beats. All this time the men who are offering this particular offering will be kept hanging. Yes. Whether you believe it or not, such a bizarre ritual was in Kerala till the recent past. Now it has been banned by law due to the protest from civil activists and social workers.

Elevator Devi Temple is located about six kilometers in the northwest side of Angamally town. The presiding deity here is Ma Durga. This region was being under the rule of Paravoor Kings on those days. The king of Alamode, the neighbor country used to create many troubles here by sending miscreants to this country. When the troubles went beyond certain limits, the Paravoor King approached the famous astrologer of Kerala at Pazhoor Padippura. He told King that all these are happening due to the anger of Devi Durga and the King should complete one year of worship at Kodungalloor Devi temple to solve the issue. The king did as per the instruction of the astrologer from Pazhoor Padippura and completed one year of worship at Kodungalloor Devi Temple. While he was returning to his palace after completing one year’s worship, the Goddess appeared in front of him near the banks of a river. King decided to construct a temple at that place and did it. He also decided to sacrifice human beings here once in a year. It has been decided that one human being will be sacrificed at the temple on the tenth day of Malayalam Month Medam (On Pathamudayam) every year. He ordered that each house will supply one man for sacrifice according to their turn.

One particular year, the turn has come for a family where only a widow mother was living along with her only son. According to the custom, the only son will be sacrificed that year. Hapless mother, who cannot fight the custom and the might of king started praying Goddess to help her. He had nobody else to take care of her and if her son will get sacrificed, her life also will be in trouble.

The man who is supposed to be sacrificed had to observe certain ritual formalities for about forty-one days and this man too started observing it. He had no other way than obeying the customs prevailing in the society and the order of the king. At the same time, the hapless mother too started worshipping Maa Durga to save her son.

The D’ day approached fast and the temple priests have come to their house along with band troupes to take the person to the place of sacrifice. The custom was to take the person with all celebrations such as band and dance. Then they will take him to the front door of the temple where the person meant for sacrifice will remain some time praying. Then the main priest will come out from the sanctum sanctorum and apply turmeric powder on the forehead of the person. Then the person will be taken to the place of sacrifice by the temple oracle, who will invoke the divine power of the presiding deity. Once the man has been sacrificed, nobody will enter the temple for one week. The belief is that the Goddess will come there along with her disciples to dance and enjoy. By the seventh day, the dead body will be finished almost as dogs and foxes will eat it. Then the temple workers will come there and clean up the premises and the normal rituals will get a start.

On that year too, the person has been taken to the temple. The widowed and old mother too went to the temple. She has hidden a small sharp knife inside her dress. Her plan was to kill herself if the goddess did not come to help her son.

The rituals at the temple started as usual. The priest applied turmeric powder on the forehead of the man and the temple oracle came there. To the utter shock of the priest and devotees, all the lights in the temple went off and a strong wind started blowing. They all heard a voice from the sky saying that man should not be sacrificed and nobody should be sacrificed in the future. Thus human sacrifice has been stopped from that day onwards.

At the place of human sacrifice, a new ritual has been designed by the priests and it is Thookkam. Here the man, who is offering should undergo certain rituals and should follow certain lifestyles for forty-one days. He should consume alcohol and nonvegetarian food. He should not indulge in sexual activities. On the forty-first day, he will be taken to the temple with the grand band and drum beats. There the priest will apply turmeric powder on his body and then the iron hooks will be pierced into his flesh on his back. Then he will be lifted to the air using rope and pulley. The crane sort of vehicle will be pushed around the temple with people hanging on it to complete one round.

Anyway, now this ritual no more exists thanks to the initiative taken by many human activists and social reformers. 

Eruvayil Achyutha Warrier, the Great Patriot of Kayamkulam

As all are aware, the present state of Kerala has been divided into different princely kingdoms and being ruled by different kings. Venatt Swaroopam (Travancore Dynasty) and Kayamkulam were two among them. When Marthanda Varma became the King of Travancore, he fought many wars with neighboring kingdoms and brought all of them under his rule. However, Kayamkulam remained as a separate kingdom even then.

Marthanda Varma decided to bring in Kayamkulam too under his rule and he entrusted the duty of his trusted Lieutenant Ramayyan Dalava. Ramayyan Dalava, went to Kayamkulam with a force of about ten thousand warriors to capture the state. At that time Kayamkulam army had the strength of just 3000 members. Still, they fought with the Travancore army. Eruvayil Achyutha Warrier was the commandant in chief of the Kayamkulam army. He was a brave soldier at the same time a brilliant war strategist too. He changed the strategies every now and then and it has become difficult for the Travancore army to defeat Kayamkulam. They lost many lives too. Finally, Ramayyan Dalava realized that it was not possible to capture Kayamkulam as long as Achyutha Warrier is alive. He returned to Thiruvananthapuram and apprised the king about war. Marthanda Varma too of the opinion that they cannot conquer Kayamkulam when Warrier is leading the battle. Hence both of them hatched a plan to content Warrier.

Ramayyan Dalava sent his spies to gather more details about Achyutha Warrier and they informed him that Warrier is a great devotee of Lord Shiva and he spends the whole day in the Shiva Temple on first Saturdays of every Malayalam Month. On those days he observes fasting and will not even drink water. Ramayan waited for the first Saturday of the next month.

On that fateful day, Warrier entered the temple as usual and notice a saint who speaks the Tamil language. As he smiled at Warrier, Warrier too smiled back and went nearer to him. He inquired about the saint where he stays. Saint said him that he was there today and cannot say where he will be tomorrow. Sensing the philosophy in his words, Warrier spent quite some time with him discussing many spirituals subjects.

As usual, Warrier spent the whole day inside the temple, and while returning home in the evening, he invited the saint too. Saint accepted the invitation with great pleasure and accompanied him. As they were walking alongside the Kayamkulam Lake, a group of four or five young men attacked Warrier. They slapped him on his neck and on the waist. As it was quite unexpected and as he was too tired of not having food for the whole day, Warrier falls down. Then he jumped up and looked at the saint who was watching the incidents calmly. Warrier stared at the saint and shot a question.

“Are you Ramayyan Dalava?” The saint nodded as if he is agreeing then instructed the young man to take Warrier to a boat waiting in the lake. They conquered Warrier very easily as he was totally tired after observing the whole day's fasting. They took him to Thiruvananthapuram by boat and as they reached the palace, King Marthanda Varma was waiting there for Warrier.

King instructed Ramayyan to free Warrier and gave him a glass of water. Then the king approached him with folded hands and started talking.

“Warrier, it is my long cherishing wish that Kayamkulam should come under my rule. If you can help me, you will become the commander in chief of our country. Besides, you will be awarded with a lot of wealth and land.”

A calm and confident Warrier smiled at the King and replied.

“Your Majesty, I have regarded only one person in my life as my father. Similarly, I have only one country that is Kayamkulam, and only one king that is Kayamkulam King. Now it is left to you to make a decision.”

Saying these brave words, Warrier bowed in front of King Marthanda Varma and shown his neck, as if he is ready to be beheaded.

The very next day people saw a headless body floating in the lake and they identified it is of Eruvayil Achyutha Warrier, the great patriot of Kayamkulam who sacrificed his own life for the country.

Legend of Ettumanoor Shiva Temple

Although the small temple town in the Kottayam district of Kerala, Ettumanoor is more famous with the presence of big Shiva Temple, it has the presence of the divine powers of both Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. It is believed that both these gods have visited this place personally.

There are many myths about the temple and the most widely believed one is related to the demon Khara or the Ramayana period. He had undergone severe penance to appease Lord Shiva and at the end of it, Shiva appeared in front of him. Pleased with the devotion of Khara, he presented three Shiva Linga idols to Khara and asked him to worship all the three regularly to get succeed in anything he gets engaged in. He started his journey by carrying two Linga idols in each hand and the third one hanging on his neck. After a while he got tired as all the idols were heavy, he falls down. As he was not able to wake up, he consecrated the two idols in his hand there. These are believed to be the idols of Vaikom Shiva Temple and Ettumanoor Shiva Temple. Then he took out the third one hanging around his neck with his teeth and consecrated that too. As he consecrated the idol by biting on it, it came to be known as Kadichiruthi, means put down with teeth and later corrupted to Kaduthuruthi. As the distance from both the hands to the face will be the same, the distance from Kaduthuruthi to Vaikom and Ettumanoor is the same. It is believed to be blissful to visit these three temples on the same day.

Another myth about the temple talks about the serene relation between the student and the teacher. Saint Pingala was running a Vedic school and he had several students. There was one poor boy with the name Khara Prakashan as his students. According to the system prevailed on those days, the students should give wealth to the teacher (Dakshina) on completion of education. According to that, all other students left the school after paying Dakshina to the Saint. Khara Prakahsanm being poor could not give anything and understanding his situation, Saint did not ask him anything too.

However, Pingala was not ready to leave the school without paying Dakshina. He asked his teacher, what he should give as Dakshina. Saint told him with great affection that his love and regard is a great Dakshina for him and nothing else is required. Without satisfying with this answer, he started pestering his teacher with the same question. Angry with the behavior of Khara Prakashan, the saint asked him to give one million gold coins each for each year he studied there. Poor Khara Prakashan shocked to hear that. He has completed fourteen years of education and now he will have to give fourteen million gold coins which he could not even dream about. He started repenting on his act and at the same time, Saint Pingala too got a guilty feeling for saying such a thing.

He took Khara Praksha to Vaikunta and started praying Lord Vishnu. At that time each god has come there and given one million gold coins each to Khara Prakasha and him in turn presented all to his teacher. At the end of it, Lord Shiva and Vishnu appeared in front of them. Then the saint requested them to be present on earth to protect humankind. They agreed and ask the saint to find out an ideal place for them to be present and to construct a temple. After returning to earth, both saint and his disciple started searching for a place and find a place near to the village of Khara Prakasha. There they constructed a temple for Lord Shiva and also for Lord Vishnu. It is believed that both Shiva and Vishnu presented there at the time of the consecration of idols by the saint.

There is one more myth about this temple which is more related to epics. As the demons got powerful, Indra, the king of demigods got worried and he decided to undergo penance to appease Lord Vishnu to gather more power. Pleased with his devotion, Vishnu appeared in front of him in the form of Narasimha (The incarnation of Lord Vishnu where he appeared as half man and half lion). Hearing the roaring of Narasimha, all the demons got scared and ran away from earth. As Narasimha could not get anybody to fight with, he turned towards Indra. Scared Indra started running and on the way, he met Sage Narada and described everything. As per the instruction of Narada, Indra start praying to Lord Shiva and Lord then appeared there in the form of Sharabham (A figure with bird’s head and wings and human body). Seeing the Sharabham, Narasimha became calm and then both of them blessed Indra. As per the request of Sage Narada, both decided to present at that place forever. Now Lord Shiva is present in the main temple facing west and Vishnu is present in the temple outside the main compound facing east.

This temple falls on the way to Sabarimala from the northern parts of Kerala and hence attracts a large number of devotees during the mandala season. The major attraction in this temple is “Ezhara Ponnana” or Seven and half elephants. These are the statues of seven elephants of two feet height and one with one foot. These statues are made of wood and covered with gold plates. A total of fifty-eight-kilo gold is being used to create these eight idols. It is believed that the King of Travancore has made these idols to present at the Vaikom Temple and it was being carried out to Vaikom from Thiruvananthapuram by water. When it reached near Ettumanoor, the boat got stuck on the sand bund in the river and did not move further even after a lot of hard work by a group of people. Then an astrologer came there and told them that, Ettumanoorappan, the presiding deity of Ettumanoor temple got attracted to these statues and will not part with it. Hearing this the King donated those statues to Ettumanoor. 

Story of Another Great Kerala Tantric

Kerala, the land created by Lord Parasurama by throwing his ax into the sea is well known for its Tantra rituals and Tantriks. Even now there are many people in Kerala who are well versed with all the four Vedas and performing rituals mentioned in Atharva Veda for the benefits of people. There are many stories and myths that are still taking around about the wonderful performance of many Tantriks. Here is one such story, which is believed to have taken place in the near past.

There is a Brahmin family residing in Ramapuram near Palai in the Kottayam district of Kerala. The family name is Kondamaruku and hence the head of the family used to be called Kondamaruku Namboodiri. Once there was a Kondamaruky Namboodiri, who was well versed in Tantri rituals. He has a thorough knowledge of astrology too. Within a short period, his reputation spread across Kerala.

During those days, one Nair family in Northern Kerala used to experience a particular type of tragedy. Nair had three daughters who were well educated and beautiful. Nair got the first two daughters married at the right time. Both of them got pregnant and came back to their house for delivery as per the prevailing custom. During their stay at their parental home awaiting delivery, both of them got disappeared in suspicious circumstances. Nair got worried about the happenings. His biggest worry was about the third daughter. He feared that she may have to face the same fate. Still, it is not possible for him to keep her away from getting married. He found a suitable groom from the locality and got her last daughter married as per the custom. She too got pregnant within a year and brought back to her parental home for delivery.

Nair lost his peace of mind and could not sleep all these days. He spent all nights without sleeping sitting in front of his daughter’s room. Still, he was afraid. At that time he came to know about Kondamkuzhi Namboodiri. Immediately he sent his persons to Namboodiri to bring him to his house. Hearing the whole history, Namboodiri agreed to visit Nair’s house.

After arriving there, he inspected the surroundings and then immersed in meditation reciting some holy hymns. He opened his eyes and told Nair to make arrangements for rituals which may last for forty-one days and Nair made all arrangements. Namboodiri started rituals from the next day early morning. As the days passed, the duration of rituals increased. Namboodiri insisted Nair’s daughter and her husband to be present at the place where the rituals are being conducted from the thirtieth day onwards. Gradually the duration of rituals increased and it started ending at midnight.

On the last day of the ritual, Namboodiri finished everything before midnight and asked Nair’s daughter and her husband to go to their bedroom to have sleep. He also sent two of his assistants and asked them to be there in front of the door of the bedroom and keep vigil. Then he took out a cane from his bag and fixed it in front of the main gate to the compound after digging a small pi. He was chanting some holy hymns all this time. Then he went inside the room allotted to him by the Nair. He opened the window and kept watching what is happening outside.

Almost close to midnight a group of six persons came there with lighted torches. All of them were completely naked. They stand in front of the main entrance of the house with the torch and chanted some hymns and to the surprise of Namboodiri, the doors opened automatically. Then they went inside and stood in front of the bedroom where the husband and wife were sleeping. As they reached there, Namboodiri’s assistants fell asleep due to the magical power of these visitors. Suddenly the door opened and Nair’s daughter came outside without wearing any clothes. She accompanied the group of naked people and started marching towards the main gate.

As they reached the main gate, they saw the cane fixed by the Namboodiri and started taking round around the cane, instead of going outside. Hearing strange noises and seeing light, many locals gathered there and all of them were angry to see six naked persons along with Nair’s daughter taking round in front of the gate. However, Namboodiri calmed them and asked Nair’s son in law to bring his wife’s clothes. As the clothes were brought, Namboodiri came out of the crowd and sprayed a few drops of water from his pot on her face. Suddenly, Nair’s daughter woke up from unconsciousness and started crying seeing herself naked. Her husband took her inside the home immediately. Then Namboodiri asked Nair to call the police. When the police force arrived there, Namboodiri asked them to watch what will happen there. He also told them that, once he sprays the water on them, they will wake from unconsciousness and will try to escape. He insisted the police officer take precautions so that they will not escape.

Then he sprayed water on their head and suddenly they all woke up. To the utter surprise of the public gathered there and the police force, the torches in their hands have turned to be speared. They tried to escape and started fighting with the police. However, police could capture all of them with the help of the public. When questioned in detail they confessed that they have taken both the daughters of Nair earlier and killed them as a part of their ritual.

Attinkuzhi Amma, the Visible Divine Power

When you approach Hinduism peripherally, you will find quite a good number of Gods and Goddesses, but when you go in-depth, you will understand that there is only one god and it is omnipotent and omnipresent. According to the core philosophy of Hinduism, God is formless energy or divine power that controls the life in the universe. Various Holy Hymns and rituals are meant for attracting that energy, or for increasing the level of energy that already exists within us. Temples are performing as refueling centers as this energy will be stored on the idols with many rituals and chanting of hymns which will be transferred to us when we cleanse our minds and thoughts.

Even though God is formless, it will appear in front of them who have selfless and dedicated devotion in many forms. In the myth of “Akavur Chathan” of popular “Parayi Peta Panthirukulam” story, almighty is appearing in front of Chathan in the form of the buffalo. When critics are claiming such incidents to be an illusion, those who have experienced it cannot reject it so easily as an illusion as the experience left such a strong impact in their minds and thoughts.

Attinkuzhi Devi Temple is a medium-sized temple dedicated to Goddess Ma. Here the divine power presents in the form of Kali, daughter of Lord Shiva. This locality is situated between two rivers; Parvathi Puthanar on the western side and Thetiyar on the eastern side. It is believed that there was a small rivulet that connected these two rivers. As time passed, this rivulet disappeared leaving a big pit in its place. Hence the name came, Attinkuzhi. Attu means river in the local language Malayalam and Kuzhi means pit. Later this pit has been filled and many houses etc have come up here. Along with that a new temple also has been constructed here.

There are many instances when Ma Kali appeared in front of the devotees. The most popular story among them is the three instances of Kali appearing in front of the railway officials. On those days the track lying work was progressing in between the Veli and Kazhakkoottam stations in Thiruvananthapuram District. Railway officials were conducting a survey to decide the route. The major criteria in deciding the route are to avoid maximum turnings. Higher authorities have instructed the subordinates to make the route as straight as possible.

As the survey officials came near a huge banyan tree while conducting the survey for the railway tracks, they saw an old lady sitting beneath that huge tree. Although she was old and weak, they felt a divine glory on her face. If they want to mark that tree as a part of their survey, they will have to ask that lady to move from there. But, they could not say that as they started developing a sort of devotion for the divine glory present on her face. They stopped the work for the day and returned to their office. When they came the next day, they saw the same lady sitting there and this time the glory was more. They approached the lady calling her Oh, Mother. She smiled at them and then left the place.

Officials stood there for quite a time as if bound by some invisible power. They returned that day too without marking that tree. When it happened for the third time, they decided not to cut the banyan tree for laying the railway track. Hence they changed the route and took permission from the higher authorities on some grounds or the other.

As mentioned earlier, the idol in this temple is of Ma Kali, daughter of Lord Shiva. It is believed that she used to visit her father at Thrippappoor Mahadeva Temple. Many people claimed to have seen her going to this temple. One day a person got down at Kazhakkoottam Railway station and started his journey to his house by walk. It was midnight and there was enough moonlight. When he walked through the road on the southern side of the station, he saw a young lady, clad in white saree, walking ahead of him. He was curious to know who that lady was as it is not common for ladies to walk in midnight. He hiked his speed of walking to reach her, but she too increased her speed. So the same distance maintained till they reach 

Trippappoor Mahadeva Temple. Once reaching there, she entered the temple. The man got wondered and decided to be there to see what is going to happen. After a few hours, he heard the noise of someone taking a bath in the temple pond. Since it is too early for the priests to wake up and to have a bath, he went nearby the pond. As he reached the pond he saw the lady clad in the white sarees going inside the temple after having a bath and then leaving the premises. When she entered the temple and left the temple, the bells in the temple rang. Now he understood that it was Goddess Kali who came to visit her father.