The Rayiranellur Mala is a tourism cum pilgrimage destination that is very much connected to the fable of the legend Naranath Bhranthan, a remarkable personality who belongs to the twelve offsprings or the Parayi Petta Panthirukulam mentioned in Malayalam folklores. This 500m high hill associated with myths regarding the life of Naranath Bhranthan gets visited by thousands of visitors, where Rayiranellur Malayil Bagavathy Temple (established by him) and a statue of him are currently situated, well, attracting more people to the place. The hill, just like the vibrant folklore associated with it, offers the vibrant scenic beauty of the surrounding land from its peak. No matter the hill is 500 is high, one can easily climb the hill and may make offerings at the temple, enjoy the relaxation of being in solitude, and enjoy the magnificent beauty all around.
The legend of Naranath Bhranthan
He was one of the 12 offspring of Vararuchi, the distinguished astrologer who was a part of King Vikramaditya’s court. Naranath Bhranthan, who came to a nearby place namely Thiruvegappura to learn Veda, chose his abode as this hill. The hill together with Thiruvegappura is known as ‘Branthachalam’. Later, he was considered both a divine as well as a mad person. One strange behavior of his ended up with people calling him mad. He used to roll a huge rock to the peak and then release it down and clap with joy, and the strange part was that he used to do it continuously. It is believed that he was blessed with the appearance of Goddess Durga and he wanted other people to also get the opportunity to worship Goddess Durga. As per the local lore, this was the reason why he established a temple here, which is now a major pilgrim destination.
Getting There:
Nearest Railway Station: Kuttipuram Railway Station
Nearest Airport: Calicut International Airport
