SASTHA'S
ROLE
In
the Dharmasasta shrine, the modus operand adopted for driving out of
the spirit differs slightly. Here the nails are driven into the
pillars of the temple instead of the paala tree as in Bhadrakali
Alayam. His coming to the temple and getting this honorific joyous
job has an interesting background. According to the legend, once
MOTHER Rajeswari went in procession to Moppazhur on the regular work
of getting para-offering of paddy by the cultivators of temple
lands. On the way some Nasthikas created troubles to the following Bhaktas
and the temple officials.
The
Moppazhur Nambudri scenting further harassment on the return trip,
sent Dharma Sasta, his family deity to give escort to the precisionists.
All went well, and later he settled down here itself in the service
of the MOTHER deeming it a special privilege to be with her. A
separate shrine was built and the dignified office of exorcist was
assigned
to him. Here he is revealing as Grihastha - married man, with his
two wives-Purna and Pushkala on the right and left sides.
Another
object worthy of veneration is the sacred platform called
pavizhamallithara, where it appears, the MOTHER was found
first and seen by the Pulaya woman. Visitors adore this too. The
place that lures the Bhaktas next is the Siva shrine lying to the
South-west of the temple. The images of Nagadevatha and a yakshi are
installed here, besides Lord Siva.
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