Mezhathol Agnihothri is a figure in the folklore of Kerala who is credited for supposedly reviving the ancient Shrauta traditions in Kerala, India, in around the mid-first millennium CE.
Mezhathol rejuvenated the ancient customs by performing 99 yagas.
The Shrauta traditions still remain intact in Kerala today, maintained by the rigidly orthodox Nambudiri Brahmins.
However only seven of the original 32 Nambudiri Graamams (Villages) agreed to assist Mezhathol, and today only these Graamams (Taliparamba, Alathur, Karikkad, Panniyur, Sukapuram, Peruvanam and Irinjalakkuda) have the right to perform Yaagam.
Aadhyans adopted the title of "Nambudiripad" to show their superior status.