- RSS veteran A. Jayakumar performed a Ponninkudam ritual for Mammootty’s long life at Rajarajeshwara Temple, Kannur.
- The ceremony coincided with the actor’s return to Kerala after treatment in the United States.
- Temple officials presented Jayakumar with a photo of Lord Rajarajeshwara.
- The ancient shrine has hosted dignitaries including Amit Shah, Jayalalithaa, and B. S. Yediyurappa.
GG News Bureau
Kannur, 1st Nov: Veteran RSS pracharak and Akhil Bharatiya Sampark team member A. Jayakumar performed a special Ponninkudam offering at the Rajarajeshwara Temple in Kerala’s Kannur on Friday, praying for the health and longevity of Malayalam superstar Mammootty.
Temple authorities welcomed Jayakumar and presented him with a photograph of Lord Rajarajeshwara. The ritual coincided with Mammootty’s return to Kerala after undergoing medical treatment in the United States for nearly eight months.
The Rajarajeshwara Temple, located about three kilometres from Taliparamba, is one of Kerala’s most revered shrines. Known for its Neyy Vilakku (ghee lamps) and Ponninkudam offerings, the temple holds immense historical and spiritual significance — once serving as the prime deity of the Chera kingdom and patron of the Kolathunadu Sun dynasty.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also offered Ponninkudam at the temple during his visit in July this year. Other notable visitors include former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, former Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa, and former ICC Chairman N. Srinivasan.
According to temple folklore, the sacred ghee lamp within the sanctum has been burning since it was first lit by sage Agastya. The temple uniquely allows women to enter its inner circle after 8 p.m., reflecting an age-old custom preserved through generations.
