Mambala Madam

“Mambala Madam”-The Kudumbakshetram of Mambala Family

Mambala Family is one of the prestigious Nair Families in Cherthala,Alappuzha. With around 25 sub families and around 500 members its roots are sperad all over Kerala and outside also.I am very proud to be a part of this great family. All the virtues we have has been obtained from the “AZHVANCHERI MANA” (a traditional Brahmin Illam situated at Malappuram). Mambala Madam is considered as the Holy abode of our “Paradevatha”. “Bhootakala Nagayakshi” and "Nagaraja" is considered as the Paradevatha or Family God and “Arukula Swami” is considered as the Divine Protector or “Adhikari” of our temple.There are also pratishtas of Vetali, Gandharva, Chamundi Devi, Brahma Rakshas and sevaral Naga pratishtas like ParaNagam, Anjilamani Nagam etc in the temple premise.The pratishtas of Ganpathi and Sashtavu are present inside a special Sanctum protected inside a seperate compound wall. The pratishta of Navagraha which is found very rarely is another speciality of our temple. The “Ara” inside our Madam is believed to be having the divine presence of Devi from Varanad Temple who come to visit our Madam.There is also the Holy Salagram inside our Ara which is also rarely found in other temples and Ganpati homam is offered with this Salagram.

The Nadas will open only on special occassions like first of every Malayalam month for Sankrama pooja, during vrishchika vritam daily offerings of Ganpati homam other poojas and bajan etc. During the Navaratri Festival the family members gather for the Poojavaippu and Vidyarambham. The children of the family have their Vidyarambham from the elder members in front of our Paredevatha. It is believed thet during the festival of Varanad temple devi pays visit to our Madam and so on this day thera are special poojas for devi offered here. Also during the birthday and other special occasion of the family there will be special poojas and offerings in Madam like Noorum Palum, Talichukoda, Navagraha Pooja etc.

Every year their will be Pratishtavarshika Kalasam which is accompanied by Bhagavatha Sapthaha Yajnam. Our Madam also witness some of the rarest of traditional poojas like Sarpam Pattu, Yakshi Pattu, Gandharvan Pattu and Sastham Pattu. All these are performed after the Kalasam.

During the Sarppam Pattu young girls below 9 years take vritam and they are made to perform the traditional “Kappu Kattal”. Elegant Kalam of Nagaraja and Nagayakshi is drawn and kalam pooja and other special poojas are offered. In the background of Veena and song of Pullonmar these young girls get the blessings of Nagadevathas and this pooja end with the Noorum Palum for Nagadevathas and the Kalam Maykkal. This Vazhipadu is believed to remove the Sarppadosham.

During Gandharvan Pattu there are 3 kalams. Bhasma kalam in the morning Arathakalam at noon and Valiya Kalam in the evening followed by Kalam Pattu. This is performed for pleasing the Gandharvan.

Yakshipattu is yet another Vazhipadu in which there is a bhasmakalam in the morning and Valiya Kalam at night drawn by Kaniyan (a special caste ). After the Kalam Pooja there will be songs sung by Pullonmar with their traditional Veena and by Kaniyan with Chendamelam. It is believed that during this time all the dieties will be pleased and come together to bless the family members. Then there is the Noorum Palum Vazhipadu offered to Nagadevatas followed by Kalam Maykkal. Finally the Valiya Guruthi is performed for Chamundi Devi and the Nada is closed for seven days. During these 7 days nobody go near the Temple Premise after dusk.
These rituals are performed every year during the month of April . All the family members gather in our Madam during this occassion and on all these 10 or 11 days Poojas and rituals there is Prasadam oottu also.

This years ceremonies begins on the 2nd of april 2011 with Aganda Nama Japam and Sastham Pattu followed by Bhagavatha Sapthaha Yajnam from April 3rd to 9th. There will be Pratishta Varshika Kalasam on April 10 th Gandharvan Pattu on April 11 and Yakshi Pattu on April 12th. I welcome all the readers to come and witness this festival rich with the tradition and culture.