usual for only a few days. Each day for nirmalyam the melshanthi, the chief priest of the temple used to open the nada (the door of sanctum sanctorum) with fear in mind if the idol would be intact or if he would see it fallen. Once found fallen reinstallation would be conducted after a ritual. Frustrated with the repeated incidence the temple authorities decided to know the reason behind it and conducted a devaprashnam before reinstallation and in the devaprashnam it was observed that only Naranathu Bhranthan could install the idol permanently. The authorities sought for him and got him through with half mind because he was always in dirty upkeep and attire and chewing pan. As it came up in devaprashnam they had no option. Naranathu too tried to fix the idol on the platform but each time it used to fall off. When it happened over and over again and meanwhile his mouth was full of pan spit he spat into the slot on the platform and uttered, ‘irikkeda pulayadimone avide’ meaning: ‘sit there you, son of a pulayi’ and the idol got fixed. The slot full of betel leaf (taamboolam) spit spilled over the slot and hence the place got the name ‘Taamboolappuzha’ which later got distorted to ‘Ambalappuzha’. It is believed that there was no change in the installation after that and this also confirms that Naranathu was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Pranthan Kunnu village Pranthan Kunnu or Branthan Kunnu is a small village between Karimbam and Taliparamba in Kannur district of Kerala, India. This village is located on the back side of Sir Syed College, Taliparamba. The etymology of the village name is based upon the vast emptiness of the area in ancient times when foxes used to roam and cry giving the place an odd reputation. Contemporary Literature Naranath Branthan is the title character of an acclaimed poem by V. Madhusoodhanan Nair. See also Parayi petta panthirukulam Sisyphus, a similar character References External links A tribute to Naranath and Branthachalam Temple at Kaippuram Story of Naranath Branthan Bhagavathi Temple situated near Naranathu Branthachalam Temple Culture of Kerala Characters in Hindu mythology Kerala society Kerala folklore