One of the oldest and most eerie tales from the Alummoottil family revolves around a doll made from the roots of a banyan tree. Known as the “Banyan Doll,” it was said to be a guardian spirit crafted by a sorceress who once served the family.
The doll protected the family for generations, but it came with a warning: “Never abandon me, or I will abandon you in your hour of need.”
Years later, during a time of prosperity, the doll was carelessly stored in the Meda, forgotten among relics. Soon after, strange things began happening. The granaries were infested with worms, servants reported seeing shadows in the corridors, and a foul smell spread through the Nalukettu.
One night, the matriarch, Lakshmi Amma, dreamt of the sorceress. “You have forsaken my creation,” the figure said. “The doll weeps for your neglect. Bring it back to the light, or your ruin will come.”
Terrified, Lakshmi Amma ordered the doll to be retrieved and placed at the main entrance with offerings of rice and turmeric. That night, the haunting ceased, but the doll’s presence remained unsettling.
It is said to still reside in the Nalukettu, guarding the family but whispering softly during the monsoon.
