In the heyday of the Alummoottil family, they commissioned a famous goldsmith, Ananthan, to craft a ceremonial idol for their private temple. The goldsmith poured his heart into the work, creating a masterpiece of unmatched beauty. But when it came time for payment, the chieftain, Madhavan Channar, delayed, believing Ananthan was demanding too high a price.
Enraged by the insult, Ananthan cursed the idol before leaving. “This idol will not bring you blessings, only ruin,” he declared.
At first, the family dismissed his words, installing the idol in their temple with grandeur. But soon after, strange occurrences began. Ritual fires refused to light, and priests reported unsettling visions of the idol weeping blood. Crops failed, and a series of illnesses struck the household.
Desperate, the family sought out Ananthan, only to learn he had passed away. His son, a humble goldsmith, agreed to help. “My father’s anger is bound to the idol,” he said. “Melt it down and offer its essence to the river.”
Though reluctant, the family obeyed. The idol was melted, and the molten gold poured into the nearby river with prayers for forgiveness. Peace returned, but the incident left a lasting mark—every idol commissioned afterward was meticulously blessed to prevent another curse.
