Poomully Mana: The Ayurveda Heritage

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The word Ayurveda is synonymous with Kerala & the treatment today attracts people from far & wide. The history of Ayurveda is over many centuries but its importance in Kerala grew because of the efforts of the members of the Poomully Mana. The word Mana simply means the house of Kerala Brahmins also known as Nambothiris. The present Poomully Mana one sees has been the venue for many cultural events & the history stems for over 500 years. The members of the Mana were not just great practitioners of Ayurveda but they were experts in the vedas, martial arts, music & literature. The lineage of the family is of great excellence like Poomully Raman Namboothiripad who was one of the most talented students of the renowned musician Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavatar. The most notable member of the family is Poomully Neelakandan Namboothiripad also known as Aaramthamburan who is considered to have been the greatest Ayurveda practitioner in history. 


The Poomully Mana is today one of the most revered houses which has a long history for all to know. The earlier members of the family were from the village of Peruvanam which was under the rule of the Kochi Raja. As per legend, the eldest Namboothiri of the family once went to the Kamakshi Amman temple in Kanchipuram. He was an ardent devotee of the Goddess & happy with his devotion, the Goddess is said to have left the temple with him back to his house. The Namboothiri did not realise but the Goddess travelled to his house sitting atop his palm leaf umbrella. Upon reaching his Mana, the Namboothiri placed the umbrella in his room, when he tried to lift the umbrella again the next day it wouldn't move as it stayed weighted to the floor. The Namboothiri was surprised by the situation & prayed to the Goddess to know whether he had done something wrong. The Goddess is said to have come to him in his dreams & wanted him to build a temple for Her in the place of his house, then leave the land. The Namboothiri followed as per what was told, he based on the direction of the Goddess went to a nearby well to find an idol & after performing the pratishta ritual is said to have left the Mana leaving all his possessions in the safe keeping of the Goddess. The Namboothiri came to the present place in Palakkad handing all the responsibilities of the temple to the Kochi Raja. 


The Goddess blessed the family wealth & well being forever for giving up all their possessions to the temple. The Poomully Mana family grew to become one of the most influential families in Kerala & were wealthy landlords of Malabar. Apart from the Kochi Raja, the eldest member of the Mana became an important attendee in the court of both the Zamorins of the North & Travancore Kings of the South. The Poomully Mana one sees became a place for all during the time of the Aaramthampuran who excelled in Ayurveda & treatments of the mind. His expertise was not only in Ayurveda but ranged from Hastayurveda which treated elephants to toxicology which helped people rid themselves of poison. One has to also remember that his knowledge was not just in the field of medicine but he was a master of Kalaripayattu, his knowledge of the Natya Shastra made him the jury to award artists in Kshethra kala. Another field where he excelled was in literature & his knowledge on Yoga & performing arts were unchallenged. His expertise in all fields of vivid nature earned him the title of Arivinte Thampuran; his family & disciples have kept this great heritage alive by following in his footsteps.


The architecture of the Mana is based on the beautiful Kerala style with large terracotta tiled roofs, multiple tiered floors & large linear verandahs. The main structure is adorned with double pillars which hoist the house giving it an airy interior. The compound also has the padippura, the kalari center & koothambalam. The importance of the Mana is also from the fact that the upkeep of the place is handled by members of the local community. The old house is an opulent structure with imposing galleries & large courtyards with many medicinal plants & trees.


Today for all  visitors the Mana is open for consultation, therapy & stay if one comes for treatment. For all other visitors this is the place to know the heritage of Ayurveda in Kerala. All the treatments done at the Mana are done in the unique Poomully way which takes the teachings of Aaram Thampuran of excellence & rich heritage following traditional values & principles. Tha Mana also encourages young artists to learn mural paintings at the center. For all visitors this is certainly a great place to come.  

Location: Peringode, Kerala, India

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