Ayyappa temple tantris — a revered lot

SABARIMALA, Nov 23: Millions of pilgrims, mainly from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, who reach here to offer prayers to Lord Ayyappa queue up in front of the Tantri’s room for a chance to touch his feet and seek his blessings.

Based at Mundankavu near Chengannur in Alappuzha district, the male members of Thazhamon Matom, enjoy the privilege of being the Tantris of the Ayyappa temple here.Legends say that the Thazhamon Tantri family was brought to the banks of Pampa river from the banks of the Krishna in Andhra Pradesh by the legendary Parasurama, to install the Shaiva-Sastha temples in the State after he reclaimed the land from the sea.Records show that the forefathers of the present Tantris made annual visits to Sabarimala temple to perform the rites since the ancient time when the hill-shrine was surrounded by thick forest.The idol installed by the forefathers of the present Tantris was destroyed in a major fire years ago. The present idol was installed by Kantararu Sankararu Tantri in Malayalam era 1126.

The three brothers of Thazhamon Matom or their matured sons would be the Tantri chief of the temple on annual rotation. As per tradition, the Tantri is the supreme authority of the temple regarding all poojas and rituals to be performed in the temple.Every year, the selected Melshanti is being installed by the Tantri. The presence of Tantri is essential during Patipooja, Udayasthamana pooja and Kalasa poojas.A post-graduate in Economics, the present Tantri Kantararu Rajivaru, 39, feels that he is blessed to be born in Thazhamon Matom.