Payyannur Pavithra Mothiram

Payyannur Pavithra Mothiram (Payyannur Sacred Ring) is a beautifully crafted ring made in gold or silver and shaped like a knot. It is considered a sacred ornament and is usually worn when performing vedic rituals or pithrubali (rituals performed for forefathers or departed souls). Traditionally the pavithram for such rituals was made of dharbha grass and the current ring evolved to avoid the inconvenience of making it anew for every ritual or puja. It is to be worn on the right ring finger and the wearer (as well as the goldsmith who makes it) is expected to follow certain disciplines in food and behavior.

The three lines on top of the ring are said to represent the three naadis or nerves of the human body – ida, pingala and sushumna. The knot between the three lines is believed to enable the wearer to awaken the kundalini sakthi (the vital energy) of the body. The ring is believed to bring luck to the wearer.

The makers of the ring traditionally belong to a particular family in Payyannur in North Kerala, which is the only place it is made in the traditional way. Once the ring is made, a special puja is conducted at the Payyannur Subramanya Swamy temple before it is handed over to the customer.