Iconic Temple   Pambummekkattu Temple
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Pambummekkattu Temple
Nagadevatas Temples
It is believed that the divine presence of “Vasuki” and “Nagayakshi” are there in the “Kizhakkini” of Pambummekkattu Mana. Daily poojas are offered to Nagaraja and Naga Yakshi residing in the eastern portion of Mekkattu Mana.
Sthalam

 

Pambummekkattu Mana, situates at Vadama near Mala Town, Mukundapuram Taluk in Thrissur District, Kerala. It is believed that the divine presence of “Vasuki” and “Nagayakshi” are there in the “Kizhakkini” of Pambummekkattu Mana. Daily poojas are offered to Nagaraja and Naga Yakshi residing in the eastern portion of Mekkattu Mana. 

The Pambu Mekkattu is spread over six acres of land with five sarpakavu. The Mekkattu Namboodiri’s also treated the outsiders but now due to the advance in medical science people rarely comes for it.

The oldest member of the family is the head of the Mana members who have covered teenage are given administrative power.

A trust is formed and each trustee will get an year’s administration. The mantras and the rituals are passed from one generation to another orally. The members of the family are bound to follow the rules.

The devotees are to strictly follow the instruction of the administrator. When something affects the sanctity of the premises, poojas (rituals) will be restarted only after “Punyaham” (cleansing). When such things happen snakes are seen in waste ditch, indicating impurity.

 

Description: Pambummekkattu Mana, Vadama, Mala, Kerala

 

Features and Importance of Pambummekkattu Mana

On the 1st of the Malayalam month “Vrischikam” (November 17) of the Keralites’ calendar many devotees of Sabarimala Ayyappa come to Pambu Mekkattu in order to get the blessing of Serpent Gods. “Noorum Palum” (food and milk) offering to the snakes is on this day. The oil from the “Kedavilakku” is used as a medicine for skin diseases which is believed to be caused due to the fury of snakes. 

The sanctum sanctorum of “Nagaraja Vasuki” and Nagayakshi is in the Kizhakkini of a Nalukettu. There is no idol in the sanctum sanctorum of Pampumekkattu Mana.

In its place there is all time burning oil-lamp (Kedavilakku). 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. Besides Noorum Palum, the other main offering to the serpent gods is Kadali Pazham. In the center court of the Pambummekkattu Mana there is shrine of Bhadrakali.

 
Puranam

 

There is a legend behind how Mekkattu Mana became Pampumekkattu Mana.Once Mekkattu Mana was suffering from acute poverty and miseries. The sufferings were so unbearable that the Head of the family decided to stay in prayers and meditation in Thiruvanchikulam Temple at Kodungallur, about 15 km away from Mala. 

He stayed there and prayed continuously for twelve years. One day early morning he went to the temple pond of Thiruvanchikulam to fetch some water where he saw a strange man near the pond with extra-ordinary body structure had an unusual divine power and asked him to give the precise ring that he was wearing to show his friends and Kodungallur Thampuran. 

The ring so given to the Namboodiri was returned and immediately on receiving it back the man disappeared. On the next day Namboodiri went to the Thiruvanchikulam pond and saw the same mystery man near the pond. Upon request he revealed himself as Vasuki and to prove his identity he squeezed himself to a ring similar to the one Lord Parameswaran wore in his finger. 

 

Description: main gate of Pambummekkattu Mana, Vadama, Mala, Kerala

 

At this strange sight, the Namboodiri got fainted. On recovering as blessing the Brahmin asked the Lord’s presence in him Illam. Soon after he got the blessings of Vasuki, the Namboodiri returned to his Illam. He put his palm-leaf umbrella in the Kizhakkini of the Mekkattu Illam and went for bath. After the bath when he came to take the umbrella, he saw a snake on the umbrella greeting him. The snake transformed himself to Vasuki and added that Nagayakshi (godess of serpents) will also soon be presented there.

After a while, the eldest Antharjanam of the Mekkattu Illam came there. She put her palm-leaf umbrella in the portico before stepping into the home. Soon a snake appeared there on the umbrella and slowly moved to the Kizhakkini of Mekkattu Mana and manifested into a beautiful lady. They both ordered the Namboodiri to install them as idols at the place they stand and consider them as their family deities.

They also suggested to keep two “Kedavilakku” in the Kizhakkini of the Mekkattu Illam ever lighting. The Mekkattu Namboodiri did everything according to the directions and continued daily rituals to appease them. Thereafter, the Mekkattu Mana (Illam) came to be known as “Pampumekkattu Mana” (pampu means snake in Malayalam) and became prosperous day by day and very famous. The memories of the Great Serpent Gods who to the Pambummekkattu Mana as snakes still fill the hearts of the devotees with blessings and happiness.

 

 
Varnam

 

Offerings At Pambummekkattu Mana

Vella Nivedyam, Kootupayasam, Palpayasam, Kadalipazha Nivedyam, Manjalpodi Charthal, Vilakkuvekkal, Sarpabali, Payasa Homam, Naga Prathishta, Noorum Palum, Pushpanjali, Malakku, Prathima Pooja, Abhishekamv, Thulabharamv, Annaprasham, Ayilya Pooja and Rahu Pooja. The favourite offering to Serpent Gods is ‘Kadalipazha Nivedyam'(a kind of banana). ‘Noorum Palum’ (lime and milk) is offered only in special occasions. ‘Thulabharam’ and ‘Annaprasham’ are offered to get a baby.

Lamp Oil Prasadam

The oil in the lamp and the collyrium formed by burned wick are given as medicines for skin diseases caused by the rage of snakes. The oil in the ‘Kedavilakku’, kept in the ‘Kizhakkini’ – where Vasuki and Nagayakshi are placed – is given as Prasadam. There are strict methods to use this oil. How to use this can be elaborately seen in the temple website.

Goddess Kali is installed at the central courtyard of Pambum Mekattu Mana. ‘Koottupayasam’ is the main offering. ‘Mudiyettu’ is conducted on either Tuesday, Friday or Sunday in the month of Medam (mid April). ‘Noorum Palum’ is given to Serpent Gods during festival time and five days long ‘Sarpapattu’ is also conducted.

 
Sevas

 

Special Days

1. First of the month of Vrishchikam(mid November)- Festival

2. Ayilyam in the month of Kanni(mid sept-mid oct).

3. From Thiruvonam to Bharani in the month of Meenam (mid March to Mid April).

4. Tenth of the month of Medam(mid of April).

During the festival which is first of Vrishchikam, deity is pleased by giving lime and milk. It is believed that only the members of the Mekkattu family has the right to conduct Sarpabali. From the first of Vrishchikam to 41 days, Sarpabali is conducted as a special offering every evening. Other than this, the Bali is conducted on chosen days decided by the Mana. During Mandalakalam (41 days from Vrishchikam 1), ‘Kalamezhuthum Pattum’ is conducted. Only ‘Sarpapattu’ is conducted and not ‘Pulluvanpattu’.

 Other Temples Managed by Pambummekkattu Mana

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

 
Timings

 

7 am - 5 pm 
Contact

 

Head of the Pambummekkattu Mana: P.S Jadhadevan Namboodiri.

Phone for Pambummekkattu Mana: +91-480-2890453, +91-480-2890473, +91-480-2899495.

Pambummekkattu Mana, Vadama, Mala, Thrissur District, Kerala, PIN – 680 736.
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