Pulamanthole Sri Dhanwanthari temple is located on the banks of Kunthipuzha at Pulamanthole in Malappuram district and is the family temple of Pulamanthole Illam (Pulamanthole Moossaths or Mooss are famous ancient ayurvedic practitioners who belongs to Ashtavaidya community) The principal deity of the temple is Lord Dhanwanthari. The temple is approximately 3500 years old. Initially the temple was known as Pulamanthole Shiva temple and the chief deity was Lord Shiva. Later on, Lord Dhanwanthari was also started worshipping in this temple. Thereafter the temple came to be known as Sri Rudra Dhanwanthari temple.
There is an
interesting legend behind it. The temple was constructed by Pulamanthole Mooss family as their family shrine. The Pulamanthole Mooss
family were very famous practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine. The Maharaja of Travancore was inflicted by a severe stomach pain. The treatment given by many
famed physicians gave no relief. As an ultimate source for cure, the King
sent messengers to Pulmanthole Mana. When the message about the request for treatment
received, only a lady and his child were in the Mana. Upanayana (a
hereditary ceremony before initiating vedic studies) was not yet done by the boy. The mother and son
were upset as to what to do. The mother finally told the messengers that
his son will come after completing 12 days of worship in their
family temple and advised the son to start the prayers.
A sage
appeared before the boy on the 12th night and gave 3 tablets and
assured him that these tablets will cure the King. The sage further
added that he should not accept any of the gifts offered by the cured
happy King. Instead he should request the King to allow him to take the idol of
Lord Dhanwanthari lying in the Tamraparni River and install the same at the left side of the idol of Lord Shiva and build a shrine for it. The sage was none other than Lord Shiva who
disappeared soon. The boy did as per the recommendations of the sage and thus idol of Lord Dhanwanthari reached at Pulamanthole Illam temple.
There are only a few Ashtavaidya families in Kerala and Pulamanthole Mana has a prominent position amongst them. Famous carnatic musician, Sri Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar was once severally
inflicted by paralysis. He tried many physicians, from different
branches of health science, but proved futile. Ultimately, he was cured
by Pulamanthole Mooss. The Nadappanthal (sheltered pathway) of the temple
was built by the Bhagavathar as an offering to the deity. The people believe and
testify that all ailments can be cured with the blessings of Lord
Dhanwanthari. Many devotees throng to the temple with daily offerings.
It is also believed that the samadhi (death place) of 'Vagbhatacharya', the creator of Ashtangahridaya (the most renowned treatise consisting of more than 7120 verses about various Ayurvedic treatments) was here in Pulamanthole.
