Manas of Kerala

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Mana or Illam is the home of Brahmins who are generally scholars, ayurveda geniuses or vedic exponents. The erstwhile Manas were mostly very big Jammies .Jammies mean landlords. The structure of Manas is always big in size with several rooms, halls and inner courtyards.



Almost all Manas are Nalukettu (structure in four sides with inner courtyard). The structure is almost 2-storeyed. 3-storeyed and single storeyed are also there. All old Manas are tile roofed, supported by wooden planks and heavy wooden beams. Pillars are also made of wood. In some cases the pillars are made of granite stones. The wood used is of top quality, mostly teak, and the thickness of the planks and beams are unusually heavy. The artisans’ wood work is highly commendable. Engraving on the woodwork is marvellous. As the Manas were once big landlords, Pathayam (wooden granary storage tank) of a minimum storage capacity of 1000 measures is an integral part of Mana. A Mana is always considered as an archaeological stuff as it is a cluster of so many ancient things which are very rare to be seen anywhere else.

The Brahmins are mostly known in the surnames of Namboodiri, Namboodiripad, Bhattathiri, Bhatathiripad, Moosss et al. There is a slight difference between Namboodiri and Namboodiripad. In religious status Namboodiripad is a step above Nambooidiri. Similar is the case between Bhatathiri and Bhathiripad. The Brahmins are always the upholders of high moral value and they have a special status in the society.

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Nedumbilly Tharanallur Mana

The menfolk of the most of the Manas are experts in Thantric(vedic and astrology bound) rites. The menfolk of Tharananallur Mana (Illam) are always in the forefront for Thantric related matters.

After the creation of Kerala by Parasuraman he had constructed many temples in Kerala and was in search of competent Thantris for each temple. At this time he noticed a dazzling Brahmin on the opposite bank of Kaveri River and asked him to come to him on the opposite bank. The Brahmin reached Parasuraman by easily walking over the water. Impressed by the Yogic or otherwise powers of the Brahmin, Parasuraman conferred on him Tharananallur as his family name.

Tharananallur literally means one who walked over water.

Parasuraman decided he is the right man to carry out the Thantric rites and given him permission to do so. He further gifted the Brahmin a residence in Sasngamesapuri. Sangamesapuri was later known as Irinjalkuda of Thrissur district. Along with the residence he was given an authentic and sacred cadjan leaf manuscript. The Thantric system lettered in the cadjan leaf manuscript is practised by Thrananallur Thantris only. They perform it in ten temples of Vishnu in Kerala. Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple of Thiruvananthapuram is one of them.

Kaivatta (a vessel used for Sreebhootha Beli – a special rite) was also gifted by Parasuraman to the Brahmin. This Kaivatta is still in the possession of the Thanthris of the Tharananallur Mana. Parasuraman’s benevolence to the ancestor of this Illam (Mana) is amply recorded in authentic books.

When the partition took place in the Mana, the right of Thantram was vested on the male head of each family. Following this, four entities came into existance – Veluthedath Mana, Thekkiniyath Mana, Kidangassery Mana and Nedumbilly Mana. The partition conferred the right of Thantric rites in Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple of Thiruvananthapuram to Nedumbilly Tharananallur Mana. The Thantric rites at Irinjalakuda Sree Koodalmanikya Kshetrzm (temple), Evoor Sree Krishna temple, Neyyattinkara Sree Krishna Kshetram, Chelamattom Sree Krishna temple, Kondiyur Mahadeva temple, Thiruvizha Mahadeva temple, Sarkara Devi temple and Vadukkkumchery Kottikatkavu temple are performed by Nedumbilly Mana.

Payammel Sree Sathrugna temple and Thudupuzha Sree Krishna temple are owned and managed by Nedumbilly Mana.

Nedumbilly Tharananallur Mana was built during the time of Aayillam Thirunal Maharaja. The structure of the Mana is a fine example of Kerala architecture with beautiful engravings on the wood. This Mana attracts many foreigners. It stands amidst village beauty. To study and make research on Thantric books and manuscripts on leaves there is an institute called Sangama Grama Indological Research Centre. Many scholars and researchers come here for research and analysis on the holy documents.

An uncommon traditional custom prevails here. Before the male-folks leave the Mana for religious rites they seek the blessings from the elder women-folks. A teenaged boy once warranted to officiate senior members in their absence in a temple festival. He left the Illam with a Granthom (holy book) after obtaining his mother’s blessings and he could perform the rites as vividly as elders do. The Granthom and the blessings gave him enough knowledge and power to perform the rites. It is after this incident the male-folks continued to obtain the blessings from elder female-folks.

Sri Pradeep Namboodiripad, Sri Satheesan Namboodiripad and Sri Padmanabhan Namboodiripad lead the Thantric rites. Head of the Mana is Sri Pradeep Namboodiripad.

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Pambummekkatt Mana

Serpent worship is very common in Kerala. In many of the temples serpents have shrines. In many homes too serpents are worshipped. Pampummekkatt Mana in central Kerala is famous for snake worship and for getting snake-related problems solved. The tradition is centuries old.

The gate tower of the Mana is embedded with snake statues as a welcome posture. Normally the Manas are Nalukettu. But, the Mana here is Ettukettu – two Naluketts. There are five Kavus (abodes) of snakes (and snake gods). The sanctum sanctorum of Nagaraja (king of snakes) and Nagayakshi female devil of snakes) is in the Kizhakuni (eastern court) of a Nalukettu. There is no idol in the sanctum sanctorum. In its place there is all time burning oil-lamp. The Prasadam given to the devotees is the oil from the lamp. The oil Prasadam has the power to cure the diseases caused due to the curse of snakes.

Vrischikam 1st (November 17) is a great day here. Noorum Palum (food and milk) offering to the snakes is on this day. To participate in this auspicious ceremony, thousands throng, even from far way places.

There is a legend behind how Mekkatt Mana became Pampummekkatt Mana. Mekkatt Mana was facing acute poverty. To get some relief from the poverty the head of the family started praying at Thiruvanchikulam temple. He stayed there and continued his pray. On the completion of 12 years of pray one day he went to the temple pond to fetch some water where he s aw a man with extra-ordinary body structure, looking like a divine power, standing near the pond. He asked him of his identity. The stranger replied in a vague manner. The Namboodiri however realised that he is a divine power and requested him to give the precise stone ring he is wearing to show to his friend and guide Kodungallur Thampuran. The ring so given to the Namboodiri was returned and immediately on receiving it back the man disappeared. As the identity of the man was still a mystery, the Namboodiri’s mind was unsettled.

Next day as usual Namboodiri went for his early morning bath in the temple pond when he saw the mystery man again. He bowed down at his feet and requested to divulge his identity. The man said, I am Vasuki (Vasuki is serpent god as per Hindu mythology). Namboodiri thereupon requested him to prove it. Vasuki squeezed himself to a ring similar to the one Lord Parameswaran wore in his finger. Seeing this Namboodiri fainted and when returned to his original sense Vasuki asked him what sort of blessings he wants. Namboodiri said he wishes that Vasuki be present in his Illam (Mana) to have them prosperity. Vasuki agreed and disappeared.

The relieved Namboodiri returned to his Illom soon. He placed his palm-leaf umbrella in the eastern court of the Nalukettu and went for bath. When he came back to take the umbrella a snake was there on the umbrella to greet him. The snake came down and took the form of a divine man and said, I am Vasuki and added a Nagayakshi will soon be present in the Illam. At this moment the eldest Antharjanam (Antharjanam denotes Brahmin lady) of the Mana came on the scene. She put her palm-leaf umbrella (in the past, Brahmin ladies, as a custom, used to hold palm-leaf umbrellas, to cover up their face, which are unfoldable, while moving out their Illams) in the portico before stepping into the home. Soon a snake appeared on this umbrella and moved to the eastern court of the Nalukettu. On reaching the eastern court the snake manifested into a beautiful lady and took position near Vasuki. Both of them ordered Namboodiri to install them in the as idols at the place where they stand and consider them as their family deities. Saying this much, they disappeared. Namboodiri strictly did what they said and continued daily rituals to appease them. After this incident Mekkatt Mana came to be known as Pampumekkatt Mana.

Poverty vanished. Prosperity and glory of the Mana began sky-rocketing.

Pampummekkatt Mana is in the forefront of snake related Thantric rituals and they do the rituals at many snake god centers, including famous Nagarcoil temple in Tamil Nadu.

Besides Noorum Palum, the other main offering to the serpent gods is Kadali Pazham (Kadali plantain).

In the centre court of the Mana there is shrine of Bhadrakali.

Vasiyedam temple at Puthenchira, Sarangapani Sree Krishna temple and Kunnathunadu Mahadeva temple are owned and managed by Pampummekkatt Mana.

P S Jadhadevan Namboodiri is the present head of the Mana.

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Pulamnthole Mana

Pulamanthole Mana is very famous for Ayurveda treatment based on Ashtavaida, a wing of Ayurveda science. Many of the patients come here as they tasted no success in the treatment elsewhere and return fully cured. Pulamnathole Mana is widely known as a curable place for incurables. The Mana belongs to Mooss family.

This family has its own temple which is very famous – Pulamanthole Sree Rudra Dhanwanthari Temple. And this temple has a colourful history. The Maharaja of Travancore was inflicted by a severe stomach pain. The treatment given by many famed physicians gave no relief. As an ultimate source for cure, the King sent messengers to Pulamnthole Mana. When the message for treatment received, only a lady and his young son were in the Mana. Upanayanam (a hereditary ceremony before initiating to the ancient science of Ayurveda in ancient families) was not yet done by the boy. The mother and son were upset as to what to do. The mother told the messengers that his son will come after completing 12 days Bhajana (prayer) in their family temple and advised the son to start the Bhajana. A Sanyasi (monk) appeared before the boy on the 12th day of Bhajana and gave 3 tablets and assured him that these tablets will cure the King. The monk further added that he should not accept any of the gifts offered by the King. Instead, request the King to allow to take the idol of Dhanwanthari lying in the Tamarapani River and install the same at the left side of the idol of Shiva in their own temple and build a shrine for it, the Sanyasi added. The King was cured by the treatment of the boy. The pleased King agreed to the request of the boy and the idol was brought and installed. The Sanyasi was actually Lord Shiva who took the form of Sanyasi.

Karnatic Music Emperor, Sri Chembai Vaidynatha Bhagawathar was once severelly hit by paralysis. He tried many physicians from many fields, but proved futile. As a last resort he approached Pulamanthole Mooss and he was cured. The Nadapatha (sheltered pathway) of the temple was built by the Bhagawathar in reciprocation to the Mooss.

There are only few Ashtavaidya families in Kerala. Pulamanthole Mana has a prestigious position among them.

Head of the Mana is Sankaran Mooss.

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Surya Kalady Mana

Surya Kalady Mana is ancient as Lord Parasuraman era. The ancestors of Surya Kalady Mana were brought by Parasuraman. The history says that Parasuraman brought the Brahmins from outside to Kerala for entrusting them certain responsibilities. He entrusted them mainly the duties of Priesthood, Medical and Black Magic. Surya Kalady Mana was entrusted with the responsibility of conducting Thantric rites and Black Magic.

The Mana has produced a number of eminent personalities, some of them in literary works. The famous literary works – Ithihyamala , Kerala Sahitya Charitham and Surya Kalady which have found inroads to Magazines, Cinema, Television etc are the products of Surya Kalady Mana.

Many eminent personalities have visited the Mana to compliment them for the great service they do in the field of literature and other fields highly beneficial to the mankind and to see the Mana and its possessions. Late Jayaprakash Narayan, the founder of Bharatheeya Vidya Bhavan, an eminent educational institution spreaded throughout India, ex-Vice President of India, Sri K M Munshi and Maharashi Mahesh Yogi are some among them. The list of visitors is really big. All the visitors return with some new knowledge or experience which can cherish althrough.

The Head of the Mana is Suryan Subramanyan Bhatathiripad.

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Tharayil Kuzhikkat Mana

The father of Kerala, Parasuraman, had taught Black Magic and Thantric skills to 12 Manas. Kuzhikkat Mana is one of them.

Kuzhikkat Mana was originally in Malabar. The instsallation of the idol at Sree Vallabh temple of Thiruvalla was done by this Mana. Following the installation by the elders in the Mana they settled in Thiruvalla.

The installed idols at Madaikavu temple and 140 other temples by one time head of the Mana, Brahmasree Maheswaran Bhatathiripad were razed by Tipu. Maheswaran Bhatathiripad was well-versed not only in Thantric rites but also in Astrology. ‘Golamkettaka’ was an instrument invented by him which helps study the movements of planets and make accurate predictions.

In more than 800 shrines in and out of Kerala the consecration ceremony has been carried out by members of the Mana.

The Mana has their own shrine, close to the Mana, where the deity is Bhadrakali. Yakshi is a sub-deity. Chathan is worshipped in the Nalukettu of the Mana. “Theeyattu” is the important offering in the temple. For Yakshi ‘Vana Nivedyam’ is the offering given.