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.

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.

Ganapathi Homam, Special Offering for Lord Ganesha by Kalloor Namboodiri

Lord Ganesha or Ganapathi, the Hindu god with the elephant face is considered as the divine power that removes all obstacles in our way. Hence, special offerings for Lord Ganesha will be done before starting any serene things. Ganapathi Homam is a regular ritual being conducted in almost all temples before starting other rituals. Usually, it has to finish before sunrise. A tank will be made using bricks and the floor of it will be polished using cattle dung. The chief priest will chant holy hymns and pour pure ghee in the holy fire lighted inside the tank. Different food articles such as coconut pieces will be offered to the god and the remaining will be distributed among the devotees as Prasada. Devotees accept this Prasada as a symbol of blessing from god.

There is a Devi Temple in Pazhayannoor in Ernakulam district of Kerala which is regarded as the family deity of the royal dynasty that ruled the erstwhile princely kingdom of Kochi. Ganapathi Homam was a regular thing in this temple too. Kalloor Namboodiri, the members of the famous tantric family in Kerala, Kalloor Mana have the right to perform this ritual in this temple. Usually, the young people belonging to this family used to go there to perform Ganapathi Homam.

Once, all the young members have to go to different places on different works and there was nobody to perform the Ganapathi Homam at Pazhayannoor Devi Temple. Hence the head of the family decided to go there and to perform the Homam. However, he was not able to wake up early morning. Secondly, he could not chant hymns loudly so that the devotees present there can hear it. Finally, he never distributed the Prasada among the devotees, instead, he used to offer entire thing to the holy fire.

The changes in the daily rituals made the devotees unhappy and at first, they approached some youths from the priest’s family requesting them to come and perform the Homam. They rejected the request saying that it is the head of the family who had to take a decision on this matter. Then the devotees approached the King and narrated the entire incident.

At the same time, one of the prominent personalities in that area encountered Kalloor Namboodiri and insulted him of performing the rituals in the wrong way. The harsh words of that person hurt Namboodiri and he sends one of his assistants to the King. He has handed over a message also written in a palm leaf. The message was that the Namboodiri will not perform Ganapathi Homam from the next day unless the king visited the temple and witnessed the Homam.

Hearing the allegations of the public and receiving the message from the Namboodiri, the king went to the temple immediately. He met Namboodiri and asked the reason behind leaving the temple. Then Namboodiri told the king that he is performing the rituals as per the methods he learned and the people are complaining about it due to their ignorance on the matter. He requested King to be present there and see the Homam through a small window with one eye closed. King agreed.

The next day Ganapathi Homam started as usual and the king and two of his bodyguards watched the entire thing through a small window with one eye closed. At the end of the ritual, to their surprise, they saw an elephant coming out from the holy fire. Namboodiri offered all the food articles available there to that elephant. It ate entire food and went back after blessing the Namboodiri with its trunk.

The king and his bodyguards could not believe their eyes. Their eyes which were open to see such a holy and serene sight lost sight and became blind. They came out and fell on the feet of the Namboodiri.

Kalloor Namboodiri blessed them and then told the king that all the members of his family who are performing this Homam are witnessing the same. Lord Ganesha will appear in front of them in the form of an elephant. He cannot leave it half-starving and hence he is feeding it with entire offerings.

King got happy and even now Kalloor Namboodiri is performing Ganapathi Homam at this temple.

Surya Kalady, Another Master Tantrik From Kerala

Kerala is believed to have eight families engaged in Tantric rituals and all these eight families have been appointed by Lord Parasurama to perform tantric rituals as he taught them. Kalady, a Brahmin family residing in a small village Nettassery does not belong to these eight families, still had the luck to give birth to an all-time revered tantric, whom people used to address as ‘Surya Kalady’.

The surname of male members belong to this family was ‘Bhattathiri’ and as a common practice prevailing on those days, people used to address them as ‘Kalady Bhattathiri’. Once, a Bhattathiri went to participate in Thrissur Pooram, a great festival which has been celebrated even today in Kerala with grand fanfare. Thrissur, the place where this festival happens is about 200 kilometers away from his village and on those days when there were no motor vehicles, it used to take a weeklong walk to that temple. Hence he started almost ten days before the ‘Pooram’. He has been accompanied by a friend who was known as Nampoodiri.

After two or three days, they reached an isolated place and it has become dark by then. As it is not wise to travel during night time, they started searching for some houses to get a shelter for one night. Suddenly two beautiful women appeared in front of them with alluring smiles and asked about them. They narrated the story and mentioned that they are searching for a house to take rest in the night time. Then one of the ladies told them that their house is near and both of them are staying there alone apart from some servants. They also invited both travelers to their house.

Happy to have the company of two beautiful women for a night, both of them accepted the invitation and went to their house. There they received a royal reception by many beautiful maidservants and after taking bath all the four of them had dinner together. Then each of the men went to the room arranged for them and each one has been accompanied by a lady.

Although the Nampoodiri sat on the coat and asked his companion lady to come nearer him she did not do that. Instead, she asked her to remove the book which he kept on the coat. Nampoodiri was a staunch devotee of Goddess Durga and the book he was carrying were ‘Lalitha Sahasranama’ which contains one thousand names of Goddess Durga. Nampoodiri developed doubts about her behavior and listened to the adjoining room which was closed. He heard certain typical noise and the laughter of a lady and screaming of a man. Now everything became clear for him.

These ladies are Yakshis (the female evil spirits who appear as beautiful women to seduce men and finally kill them to drink their blood) and the one who went inside the room with Kalady Bhattathiri has killed him. The other one cannot come near the Nampoodiri because of the power of Lalitha Sahasranama. Somehow he spent the night and next day when he wakeup he did not see any sign of a house there, instead, he saw a huge palm tree. Fearing more attacks and sad with the demise of his friend, he decided to skip pooram and went back to his village and informed the family members of Bhattathiri about the whole incident.

Bhattathiri’s wife was pregnant at that time and after a few days, she gave birth to a boy child. In due course of time, he came to know about the fate of his father and decided to take revenge. He learned tantric rituals, especially for that purpose. After completion of his course, he underwent penance worshipping Sun God. One day Sun appeared in front of him in the form of an old man and handed over him a book that contains many holy hymns and powerful tantric methods. Since then the young Bhattathiri used to known as ‘Surya Kalady’. Days have passed and he practiced the rituals at different places and earned a reputation as the master tantric. This enhanced his confidence and finally decided to fulfill his wish. He started a special ritual where huge quantities of milk and ghee were offered to holy fire with chanting many holy and powerful hymns. With the power of those hymns, all the Yakshis in the world appeared in front of him. He asked them to reveal the truth about the killer of his father. Everybody denied their role. Then he asked them to pledge upon the holy fire. All except one took the pledge and when he asked that Yakshi once again, she agreed that it was she who killed his father. She fell on his feet and requested to pardon her. But, being blind with anger and revenge, Young Bhattathiri did not heed ears to her request. He burned her in the holy fire. Before losing her last breath, she cursed him that within forty-one days he will die of suffocation.

Bhattathiri did not take that curse seriously, instead started living as nothing has happened. After two or three days of this incident, King of Malabar invited him to his palace. The reason was that his wife is suffering from a strange disease. When Surya Kalady went there and checked up the patient, he understood that it was not a disease but the effect of an evil spirit entered in her body. He identified it as a ‘Gandharva’ (the male counterpart of Yakshi). He started his rituals and asked the Gandharva to come out of her body. He was not ready for that and he accused Surya Kalady of killing his wife yakshi. As he did not have any other way to satisfy his lust he entered this beautiful queen's body. But Surya Kalady was in no mood to listen to any excuses. With his powerful tantric rituals, he forcibly drove out the Gandharva form queen’s body. At that time the Gandharva too cursed him that he will die within seven days with the blockade of urine.

Although he left the palace with many valuable gifts, he started worrying about the two curses. Both the forty-first day mentioned in the curse of Yakshi and the seventh day mentioned in the curse of Gandharva falls on the same day. This fact disturbed him further. He decided to spend the entire day in a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. On the previous day of Surya Kalady’s arrival, a few devotees who have gathered at the temple along with the priests heard a voice from the sky saying that the temple should be closed before noon tomorrow and nobody should be there in the temple premises after the closing of the temple.

Believing those are the words of Lord Shiva, they did accordingly. When Surya Kalady came there, the temple was closed and nobody was there on the premises. He straight away went to the temple pond to get fresh. Suddenly he felt like get filled and went to the side of the temple for urinating but nothing happened. He came back to the pond and again he got the call of nature. This repeated several times and by continuously walking up and down the pond he developed suffocation also. He understood that the clutches of both the curses are getting tightened around his life. He felled on the steps of the pond and prayed to Lord Sun (Surya).

“I have done nothing which is not mentioned in that book. Then why I am suffering now?”

“Then he heard a voice from the sky asking him whether it is mentioned anywhere that he should whatever mention in that book. Realizing his mistake of becoming more selfish and using the holy rituals to satisfy his selfish motives, he begged the pardon. But by that time Sun God has turned to the other half of the globe leaving Surya Kalady to his fate.