Kalakat Illam - Kalakat Illam History

Kalakat Illam History

According to the legendary Keralolpathi, Parasurama sanctioned festivals like Kaliyattam, Puravela and Daivattam or Theyyattam to the people of the North Malabar region. "There can be no doubt", say Bridget and Raymond Alchin, "that a very large part of this modern folk religion is extremely ancient and contains traits which originated ruing the earliest periods of Neolithic, Chalcolithic settlement and expression" and, indeed, Theyyam is representative of a form of Hinduism (albeit non-Brahminical) which co-existed with the Sattvic rituals practised by Nambudiri Brahmins like the Kalakat Illam in temples. Theyyam is an art form of the Dravidians.

There are six known generations of Kalakat Illam. In the chapter Manthrika Nayanam, of the book Kerala Mahatmyam, it is said that the Namboothiri of Kalakat Illam was brought from Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu by Parashurama. It is reported to be one of the seven Illams created by Parasurama, members of whom are delegated to perform the divine rituals in temples and exorcism. They have the power of healing the mental and physical ailments through the power of mantras and poojas. People from various parts of the world go there for their prayers and well conduct in their lives. The deity, Bhagavathy or kali worshipped by people as divine mother, is said to be very powerful and can bring goodness to all the people who worships. Hence it can be lined that Namboothiris of this illam are the mediators between the god and common people. The tantrik practices are made based on a science which was scripted on thaali-ola or palm leaves by the ancestors of this Illam. Many of the ancient, scripted leaves are still preserved at Kalakat Illam. The old stories say that during the period of one of the great grand fathers of the illam, other Brahmin's robbed many scriptures. There are certain rituals performed in temples that are common to all the Tantrik families and the priests of temples. There was an age, when the members of the illam used to practice Ayurveda and treat illness with potions, ghee, honey, Tulsi, Vibhoodhi and other medicines made of natural sources. The treatment for epilepsy is very effective at the illam and patients still approach the namboothiris of the illam. The manuscript on palm leaves which gives the make of these medicines are also kept safe at Illam.

Once a pious Kalakat Namboothiri while returning from Kottiyur temple after prayers, stopped at dusk for Sandhyavandanam at Manathana temple. While bathing in the nearby brook, he noticed a lady bathing in the adjacent bay. The lady offered thaali and said would help him apply Thaali on Namboothiri's head. But, out of his intuition and elevated self he could soon realise it was no other than Bhadrakali herself. When she offered the Thaali (herbal shampoo), but knowing that showing his head will be his end, told her that anything the divine Mother gives is "Amruthu" (nectar) for him, drank the Thaali. Kaali, being quite satisfied by the devotion, blessed and gave him a spear, a "Vaalkannaadi" (a mirror with a handle) and a crown ("Kireetam"). He consecrated the spear at Neeliyaar-kottam near Mangattuparamba of Kannur district, the Vaalkannaadi at Pulikkal-Raayara-mangalam, where tigers and cows graze together, and the crown in his own Illam. This crown is worshipped in the sanctum sanctorum of the Illam.

This Illam was originally at Naarkkalam, 7 kilometers north of Kanhangad, later moved to Chandrol (Chandranelloor) in Peringome village, and later moved to Perinthatta (Purakkunnu), about 20 km east of Payyannur, its present location.