Imbecile Turned Sage - An Illustrious Ancestor of Pazhassi Raja

Once there were no male members in royal lineage of Kottayam save an imbecile. His mother, who was the regent, was extremely worried and had many physicians treat him in the hope that he will be cured. But unfortunately, his condition became worse day by day.

One day, a neighboring Raja invited members of Kottayam royal lineage to a function. There was no male member to go with exception of this imbecile. This posed a special problem his mother regent. If no one from her house attends this function, it will be interpreted as an insult by those who invited and that could also mean end of the friendly relations between the two royal houses. So she decided to sent her imbecile son instead. 

He went to the function and needless to say that his condition was revealed even to those who did not know about it. He became a laughing stock by the end of function. This news reached his mother. She became enraged that her dynasty lost their honor due to her imbecile prince and decided that it was time to redeem the lost honor of her lineage.

Her solution was cruel. She decided to sent her son to death. 

There was dangerous spot close to the palace named Kumaradhara also known as Gundhika. This rocky area is surrounded by high mountains clad in dense woods and rivulets from mountains descended down to this spot as strong waterfall. Nobody dared to go there at night as in those days it was infested by tigers and panthers. 

Guards took the prince and abandoned him at Kumaradhara. They felt sorry for him but had to obey orders. As imbecile reached this spot, he rushed into the water and started to play in the waterfall. At night, he slept on a rock nearby. Neither tiger nor poisonous serpent came to hurt him. 

What happened in the morning was nothing short of miracle. 

He was no longer an imbecile. He knew what was his past and could think and act like an extremely intelligent person.

He decided to return home but then he thought - "Why should I return home to my mother who had decided to sacrifice me for the sake of prejudice?" Then he wandered off into the direction of Puralimala which was close by. He reached the summit and saw the grand ruins of fort Harishchandra Kota built by his ancestor. 

Once he reached there, he felt a great peace of mind and rested there. He decided to meditate there for the rest of his life. He also consecrated an idol of Lord Shiva at Kumaradhara and became an ascetic. This idol of Shiva is venerated even today even though there are no temples here. Religious ceremonies are conducted during Shivaratri. Those who pray at Mridangasaileshwari temple close by also pray at Kumaradhara too. 

Reference:
Vadakkan Aitihyamala by Vandidas Elayavoor