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There are five 'kavus' (a grove where
Goddess Kali and Serpant Gods are
worshipped) of Serpent Gods around the
mana. There are legends about how
Mekkattu Mana became Pambum Mekkattu
Mana. Kottarathil Shankunni's
"Ithihyamala" (chain of legends) gives a
detailed description of Mekkattu Mana.
Some legends connected with the lllam and
the people there goes like this: The members
in Pambummekkattu Mana were great
devotees and experts in rituals and mystic
spell. Still, their stark poverty made it
difficult for them to meet their daily bread.
At this juncture, one Namboori from the
family went to the famous Thiruvanchikulam
Temple and started praying to God seeking
redemption from their dire verty.
Month and years passed, and one night, the
Namboori had a wonderful experience. As
his continuous worship was nearing twelfth
year, one night he went to the sacred pond
in the temple premises to fetch some water
after everybody has left the temple. He was
astonished to see a saintly figure standing
on the steps at that peek hour and asked
"Who is that?" The figure replied, "What
Mekadu has to do with that? If you want
water, fetch it and go." Namboori stood
there spellbound because from the
appearance and words of the person, he was
sure that the figure is not of an ordinary
human being. Then he saw something
sparkling in the hands of that saintly figure
and asked him "What is it?" The person's
answer was a question, "Has Mekkadu seen
Ruby?" When the Namboori said "No" the
person asked whether he would like to see
it. When he said "Yes" the person passed the
precious stone to the Namboori. The stone
impressed him so much that he wanted to
show it to his friend Kodungallore Valiya
Thampuran (a kingly status). He sought the
Godly figure's permission. The figure gave
permission on condition that the Namboori
would come back soon.
The Thampuran was very much impressed
by the Ruby that he wanted to keep it for
himself. He was ready to purchase it at any
price. But the Namboori was adamant not
to break his word. So the Thampuran gave it
back though unwilling. Namboori reached
back on time and handed over the Ruby to
the person suddenly he disappeared and the
place which was bright like day light due to
the glow of the ruby now turned dark. Fear
and darkness ensnarled the Namboori.
Within seconds he regained his sense and
sight. He stepped in the sacred pond,
fetched water and went back. The Godly
person's identity haunted the Namboori and
so he could not sleep that night. He blamed
himself for not asking the person who he
was; for person who had entrusted the Ruby
with him, at least for some time, would
surely have revealed his identity. The
Namboori laid down thinking sadly about his
foolishness.
At some point sleep caressed him. The
Namboori woke up within Minutes and
seeing the moon light he thought it was
already dawn. He felt that it was already
late for his bath and rushed to the sacred
pond. Again, a person was standing there.
Namboori as earlier asked "Who is that?"
And the figure replied "What has Mekkad to
do with that? Go and sleep. It is not time to
take bath. It is not yet dawn." The Namboori
recognized the voice and the saintly figure.
He fell on the Godly figure's feet and
requested "Upon Lord Shiva, reveal your
identity." When Namboori mouthed Lord
Shiva's name the person had no other go
but to reveal his identity. He said "I am
Vasuki." Then the Namboori expressed his
wish to see Vasuki's real figure. Vasuki was
sure that his real figure would frighten the
Namboori. But, when the Namboori insisted,
he shrinked his body to the size of a ring on
Lord Shiva's finger.
The Namboori was shuddered at that sight
and fainted. After few minutes, he regained
consciousness. Then Vasuki asked, "What
boon do you want?" "I wish your presence in
my lllam always. Please put an end to my
poverty. I have no other request," this was
the Namboori's reply. Vasuki consented to
his and said "Only three days remain to
complete your twelve years' worship. You go
back to your lllam after that. Meantime I will
get the permission of Lord Shiva and will
come to your Mana. Now it's time for your
Bath. Don't delay," Vasuki disappeared
saying this.
Namboori completed his worship and
returned to his lllam. He went to take bath
and perform daily rituals by keeping his
'Olakkuda' (An umbrella made of palm
leaves) in the 'Kizhakini' (Eastern portion of
the house). When he came back, he saw a
snake on the umbrella and was frightened.
The snake came down, took the shape of the
saintly person and said, "Mekkadu, don't
fear. I am Vasuki. Lord Shiva is very much
pleased at your honesty and sincere
devotion. I am here on Lord's will. Take this
Ruby which I have shown you the first day
we met. Keep it here safely. As long as this
Ruby remains here, poverty will not affect
your Mana." Vasuki handed over the ruby to
the Namboori and continued, "A Nagayakshi
(serpent Goddess) will also reach here soon.
Don't get feared to see her."
At this juncture, the eldest lady of the lllam,
came from outside after attending a feast in
a relative's home. She went inside keeping
her umbrella in the verandah. Suddenly, a
snake came out from that umbrella and
went to the 'kizhakkini'. There it took the
shape of a beautiful lady and stood close to
vasuki. "Make idols of the two of us and
placing them in this 'kizhakinni', daily rituals
are to be performed. Consider us as the
family Gods of Mekkattu Mana," continued
Vasuki, "If you do so, prosperity will not
leave your family. More snakes will come
here and they will live somewhere in the
compound. Only give freedom for them to
live anywhere in this house and its
compound. Special spaces are to be kept to
pass urine and faeces. Spitting and washing
hands in the courtyard or in the compound
are not permitted. Fire should be set only in
the kitchen hearth. Digging of the soil in the
courtyard or in the compound is not allowed.
Another house should be constructed in the
next compound. Special functions are to be
conducted there.
The ladies should not remain here at the
time of menstruation and pregnancy. They
should go to the other house. Snakes might
be seen in this house and premises. But
nobody should fear because those snakes
will not bite the members of this house
unless somebody stamps feet on them. By
chance if any member gets snake site, the
venom will not affect his/her body but will
affect the snake back. In such cases, proper
treatment should be given to the snake.
Otherwise the snake may die. If the snakes
bite some outsider, the family members
should not treat. But treatment should be
given to those suffering from diseases due
to anger of snakes. Two lamps are to be
lighted day-night in this 'Kizhakkini'. The oil
in the lamp and the collyrium formed by
continuous burning of the wick will be
excellent medicine for skin diseases owing
to rage of snake Gods. This information is
to be passed through generations of
Mekkatu Mana." Vasuki and Nagayakshi
disappeared saying all this and promising to
come back when the Namboori desires.
The Namboori installed the Serpent Gods in
the Kizhakkini as per Vasuki's instruction.
From that day, the 'Mekkattu family' came to
be known as 'Pambummekkattu' and
famous. The family knew no poverty from
the day Vasuki was placed in the house.
Moreover their wealth increased gradually.
The fame of Pambummekkattu family spread
world wide. The belief became firm among
people that skin diseases or other problems
due to wrath of snake Gods have solutions
in Mekkattu Mana.
Goddess Kali and Serpant Gods are
worshipped) of Serpent Gods around the
mana. There are legends about how
Mekkattu Mana became Pambum Mekkattu
Mana. Kottarathil Shankunni's
"Ithihyamala" (chain of legends) gives a
detailed description of Mekkattu Mana.
Some legends connected with the lllam and
the people there goes like this: The members
in Pambummekkattu Mana were great
devotees and experts in rituals and mystic
spell. Still, their stark poverty made it
difficult for them to meet their daily bread.
At this juncture, one Namboori from the
family went to the famous Thiruvanchikulam
Temple and started praying to God seeking
redemption from their dire verty.
Month and years passed, and one night, the
Namboori had a wonderful experience. As
his continuous worship was nearing twelfth
year, one night he went to the sacred pond
in the temple premises to fetch some water
after everybody has left the temple. He was
astonished to see a saintly figure standing
on the steps at that peek hour and asked
"Who is that?" The figure replied, "What
Mekadu has to do with that? If you want
water, fetch it and go." Namboori stood
there spellbound because from the
appearance and words of the person, he was
sure that the figure is not of an ordinary
human being. Then he saw something
sparkling in the hands of that saintly figure
and asked him "What is it?" The person's
answer was a question, "Has Mekkadu seen
Ruby?" When the Namboori said "No" the
person asked whether he would like to see
it. When he said "Yes" the person passed the
precious stone to the Namboori. The stone
impressed him so much that he wanted to
show it to his friend Kodungallore Valiya
Thampuran (a kingly status). He sought the
Godly figure's permission. The figure gave
permission on condition that the Namboori
would come back soon.
The Thampuran was very much impressed
by the Ruby that he wanted to keep it for
himself. He was ready to purchase it at any
price. But the Namboori was adamant not
to break his word. So the Thampuran gave it
back though unwilling. Namboori reached
back on time and handed over the Ruby to
the person suddenly he disappeared and the
place which was bright like day light due to
the glow of the ruby now turned dark. Fear
and darkness ensnarled the Namboori.
Within seconds he regained his sense and
sight. He stepped in the sacred pond,
fetched water and went back. The Godly
person's identity haunted the Namboori and
so he could not sleep that night. He blamed
himself for not asking the person who he
was; for person who had entrusted the Ruby
with him, at least for some time, would
surely have revealed his identity. The
Namboori laid down thinking sadly about his
foolishness.
At some point sleep caressed him. The
Namboori woke up within Minutes and
seeing the moon light he thought it was
already dawn. He felt that it was already
late for his bath and rushed to the sacred
pond. Again, a person was standing there.
Namboori as earlier asked "Who is that?"
And the figure replied "What has Mekkad to
do with that? Go and sleep. It is not time to
take bath. It is not yet dawn." The Namboori
recognized the voice and the saintly figure.
He fell on the Godly figure's feet and
requested "Upon Lord Shiva, reveal your
identity." When Namboori mouthed Lord
Shiva's name the person had no other go
but to reveal his identity. He said "I am
Vasuki." Then the Namboori expressed his
wish to see Vasuki's real figure. Vasuki was
sure that his real figure would frighten the
Namboori. But, when the Namboori insisted,
he shrinked his body to the size of a ring on
Lord Shiva's finger.
The Namboori was shuddered at that sight
and fainted. After few minutes, he regained
consciousness. Then Vasuki asked, "What
boon do you want?" "I wish your presence in
my lllam always. Please put an end to my
poverty. I have no other request," this was
the Namboori's reply. Vasuki consented to
his and said "Only three days remain to
complete your twelve years' worship. You go
back to your lllam after that. Meantime I will
get the permission of Lord Shiva and will
come to your Mana. Now it's time for your
Bath. Don't delay," Vasuki disappeared
saying this.
Namboori completed his worship and
returned to his lllam. He went to take bath
and perform daily rituals by keeping his
'Olakkuda' (An umbrella made of palm
leaves) in the 'Kizhakini' (Eastern portion of
the house). When he came back, he saw a
snake on the umbrella and was frightened.
The snake came down, took the shape of the
saintly person and said, "Mekkadu, don't
fear. I am Vasuki. Lord Shiva is very much
pleased at your honesty and sincere
devotion. I am here on Lord's will. Take this
Ruby which I have shown you the first day
we met. Keep it here safely. As long as this
Ruby remains here, poverty will not affect
your Mana." Vasuki handed over the ruby to
the Namboori and continued, "A Nagayakshi
(serpent Goddess) will also reach here soon.
Don't get feared to see her."
At this juncture, the eldest lady of the lllam,
came from outside after attending a feast in
a relative's home. She went inside keeping
her umbrella in the verandah. Suddenly, a
snake came out from that umbrella and
went to the 'kizhakkini'. There it took the
shape of a beautiful lady and stood close to
vasuki. "Make idols of the two of us and
placing them in this 'kizhakinni', daily rituals
are to be performed. Consider us as the
family Gods of Mekkattu Mana," continued
Vasuki, "If you do so, prosperity will not
leave your family. More snakes will come
here and they will live somewhere in the
compound. Only give freedom for them to
live anywhere in this house and its
compound. Special spaces are to be kept to
pass urine and faeces. Spitting and washing
hands in the courtyard or in the compound
are not permitted. Fire should be set only in
the kitchen hearth. Digging of the soil in the
courtyard or in the compound is not allowed.
Another house should be constructed in the
next compound. Special functions are to be
conducted there.
The ladies should not remain here at the
time of menstruation and pregnancy. They
should go to the other house. Snakes might
be seen in this house and premises. But
nobody should fear because those snakes
will not bite the members of this house
unless somebody stamps feet on them. By
chance if any member gets snake site, the
venom will not affect his/her body but will
affect the snake back. In such cases, proper
treatment should be given to the snake.
Otherwise the snake may die. If the snakes
bite some outsider, the family members
should not treat. But treatment should be
given to those suffering from diseases due
to anger of snakes. Two lamps are to be
lighted day-night in this 'Kizhakkini'. The oil
in the lamp and the collyrium formed by
continuous burning of the wick will be
excellent medicine for skin diseases owing
to rage of snake Gods. This information is
to be passed through generations of
Mekkatu Mana." Vasuki and Nagayakshi
disappeared saying all this and promising to
come back when the Namboori desires.
The Namboori installed the Serpent Gods in
the Kizhakkini as per Vasuki's instruction.
From that day, the 'Mekkattu family' came to
be known as 'Pambummekkattu' and
famous. The family knew no poverty from
the day Vasuki was placed in the house.
Moreover their wealth increased gradually.
The fame of Pambummekkattu family spread
world wide. The belief became firm among
people that skin diseases or other problems
due to wrath of snake Gods have solutions
in Mekkattu Mana.