ALAPPUZHA: Every evening a large number of devotees, including film stars come for a night stay at the ancient Thiruvizha Sree Mahadevar temple in Alappuzha.
The temple attracts a large number of devotees on account of the divine prasadam, which is believed to cure the mental problems resulting from consumption of food items poisoned by sorcerers.
Legend has it that the temple was consecrated by Vilwamangalam Swamiyar. After the consecration, a mentallyderanged man used to visit the temple and trouble the devotees and the employees. Following this, the devotees offered special prayers. One day, Lord Shiva appeared in the dream of a devotee and directed him to tie up the mad man. The Lord also said that a plant will appear near the temple the next day. The Lord directed to collect a handful of leaves and hand it over to the priest. The priest would take out the juice, mix it with cow's milk and do Pandeeradi pooja to the deity. The Lord also directed to serve the juice to the deranged man. Once the man vomits, offer paal payasam to him. He would become all right, the Lord said. This was followed and the deranged man regained his mental balance. Following this incident, mentallyderanged persons were brought to the temple and the same treatment was given to them," 80year old Gopalan, who is regular visitor at the temple told Express.
The preparation of the medicine containing brahmi is a secret except to some temple employees. The devotees who intend to take the medicine have to report at the temple the previous evening. They should not consume nonvegetarian food, alcohol and should refrain from sex for a week and remain mentally and bodily pure.
The temple Devaswom provides accommodation to the visiting devotees. On the night after worship, the temple offers food for the devotee. The devotee is barred from having any other food till the medicine is taken.
Next day at 8.15 a.m., pandeeradi pooja will be performed and later the medicinal milk will be distributed to the patients.
"The priest will serve the prasadam in a leaf and the medicine in a brass container. The devotee has to consume the medicinal liquid. Then the devotees will be asked to go round the temple. Hot water will be served during the rounds," Sabu, a devotee who attended the ritual, told Express.
"During the rounds, the devotees will start vomiting. Within five rounds, the devotees who had been given potions will start vomiting it. Meat and pieces of vegetables are usually seen in the vomit," he said. Despite continuous vomiting, the temple premises are kept clean.