Kalakat Illam

Kalakat Illam (also pronounced as Kalakattu Illam) is the house name of a family of Brahmins in northern Kerala. This family of Brahmins are allegedly gifted with powers of Manthravaadam and Thanthram, or Tantra. The term Tantra here, refers to the method of practices carried over based on certain beliefs on divine energy and its link to the human microcosm. The Tantriks (one who practices tantra) or the Tantri of Kalakat Illam practice only the Dakshina Maarg of the centuries old Tantra Shastra in their rich cultural traditions (Shastra means a science which gives teaching, instruction, or command). Apart from performing Manthravaadam they are also Tantriks of various temples in Northern Malabar. They hold the Thantrik rights of temples like Devaprathishta, Kalasham, Sreebhoothabali, other important rituals and poojas in a Hindu Temple. The Tantriks are accorded as guardian (pitru sthaanam) of the deity. Kalakat Illam is situated at Purakkunnu Panchayat in Kannur District reachable from Payyannur in Purakkunnu Bus.