Uploaded September 2024 | Updated September 2026, 20 minutes ago
"The Theory and Practice of the Navīkarana Kalasa and the re-installation of idols in the Śākta rituals of Kerala" a talk by Mullapally Krishnan Nampoothiri.
Abstract: Śākta rituals in Keralan temples has a distinct ritual cult that are followed daily. But this every-day practice can lose perfection or can be endangered due to external impurities or damages. Under the concept of jīrṇoddhāra, a systematic approach is prescribed by various an-
cient texts to clear these impurities and to re-instal idols making it a perfect abode for further ritual practices. This talk mainly focuses on these elaborate ritual practices that can lasts for ten days and its connected theories/texts to give us a more nuanced understanding of the ritual performativity in Kerala Śākta rituals. Through his lived experience, the speaker will bring to
light how these ritual prescriptions in texts are interpreted through practice within lineages, and among tantric practitioners in Kerala. This talk in its very nature is a record of an ancient tradition and its richer experience.
Bio: Mullapally Krishnan Nampoothiri started his training in tantric ritu-
als under the tutelage of his father. He continued his formal training un-
der many other senior practitioners later. Considering his contributions to
tantric practice in Kerala, he was awarded with many accolades such as
‘Tantraśāstra viśārad, Tantrika Choodamani, Acharyashreshta are to name
some out of many. He currently serves as the working president of Kerala
Tantravidyapeedom.
"The Theory and Practice of the Navīkarana Kalasa and the re-installation of idols in the Śākta rituals of Kerala" a talk by Mullapally Krishnan Nampoothiri.
Abstract: Śākta rituals in Keralan temples has a distinct ritual cult that are followed daily. But this every-day practice can lose perfection or can be endangered due to external impurities or damages. Under the concept of jīrṇoddhāra, a systematic approach is prescribed by various an-
cient texts to clear these impurities and to re-instal idols making it a perfect abode for further ritual practices. This talk mainly focuses on these elaborate ritual practices that can lasts for ten days and its connected theories/texts to give us a more nuanced understanding of the ritual performativity in Kerala Śākta rituals. Through his lived experience, the speaker will bring to
light how these ritual prescriptions in texts are interpreted through practice within lineages, and among tantric practitioners in Kerala. This talk in its very nature is a record of an ancient tradition and its richer experience.
Bio: Mullapally Krishnan Nampoothiri started his training in tantric ritu-
als under the tutelage of his father. He continued his formal training un-
der many other senior practitioners later. Considering his contributions to
tantric practice in Kerala, he was awarded with many accolades such as
‘Tantraśāstra viśārad, Tantrika Choodamani, Acharyashreshta are to name
some out of many. He currently serves as the working president of Kerala
Tantravidyapeedom.
