Naranath Bhranthan

Naranath Branthan (The madman of Naranam) is a character in Malayalam folklore. He was considered a divine person, a Mukhta who pretended to be mad. His chief activity consisted of rolling a big stone up a hill and then letting it fall back down. There is a large statue of Naranath in Pattambi, Palakkad district of Kerala where he is believed to have lived.

Naranathu was born as the son of Vararuchi, the famous scholar who adorned the court of Vikrama. Naranathu was one among the twelve offsprings of Vararuchi and was brought up in the Naranathu Mangalathu Mana, situated at Chethallur in Palakkad district. Vararuchi's children were also known as Parayi Petta Panthirukulam (twelve children born from the Pariah woman). Naranthu came to Thiruvegappura to master 'Vedas'. Thiruvegappura and the nearby Rayiranelloor Mountain, known as 'Branthachalam', became his usual abode. Due to his strange behaviour and odd activities, people perceived him as 'mad'. At Rayiranellor Mountain, he had the vision of the Devi (Goddess), and later, for the people's benevolence, he enshrined Devi in the Mountain and started his worship there. No clear descriptions of Naranath's last days have yet been received.

The most famous facet of Naranath's life is his apparently eccentric habit of rolling big stones up the hill and letting them roll down back and laughing thunderously on seeing this sight. However, this act has often been considered allegorical and has been applied for social critiquing in myriad contexts.

The Naranathu Branthan Mala is located at Rayiranelloor in Palakkad district on the Valanchery - Pattambi road after Thiruvegappuram Shivan's temple. It takes 1.5 hours to climb the hill. Many climb the hill during the 1st of Thulam (mid-October). On top, there is a statue of Naranathu Branthan. The nearest train station is Kuttipuram in Malappuram district on the Shornur-Kozhikode route. He is revered as a saint by some communities in the state and is often portrayed as naughty.