Rayiranelloor mala (mountain)

Naranath Bhranthan (madman of Naranam) is a character in Malayalam folklore, is believed to have dwelled on the Rayiranelloor mala (mountain).

He was the most popular among the twelve children of Vararuchi, was a man with unusual talents. At the same time, he was a social revolutionary who taught against the social evils and blind beliefs, which prevailed during the period. Those who were unable to understand his revolutionary viewpoints called him bhrandhan (madman).

Folklore:

"Vararuchi, one of the nine wise men of King Vikramaditya’s court married a girl from Paraya caste which is one of the lowest castes among the society of Kerala. Vararuchi sets out on a trip with his wife across the land in search of questions posted by king. Each time upon delivery, Vararuchi asked her if the baby had a mouth. If she said ‘yes’, he would say, “If God has given a mouth, it will feed his mouth too” and would ask her to leave the child there and then proceed. Grieved by these, when the 12th child was born, she lied and said the baby did not have a mouth, upon which he permitted her to take the child along. But when she was about to breast-feed it, the mouth was actually not there!!

Vararuchi then consecrated the child on a hill, which is called “Vaayillaakkunnilappan”

The children left out in the forest were subsequently found, adopted and raised by families belonging to different communities. They recognised one another as they grew up, and used to meet at the illam (residence) of the eldest sibling, Mezhathol Agnihothri, on their father Vararuchi’s death anniversary (Sraadham) - so goes the story or myth. Each of these 12 tribes / families still exists in Kerala.

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