Aranmula Kannadi (Aranmula Metal Mirror)

Aranmula Kannadi, or a mirror made in a place called Aranmula in Kerala is a special mirror which uses a unique metallurgical composition which includes copper, tin, silicon, bronze etc. which results in a distortion free image. The mirror is considered to be a part of ‘Ashtamangalyam’ which means eight auspicious items. The folklore has it that the Aranmula temple chief priest had brought few craftsmen called kannans, who were professional bronze casters from Sankaran Koil, Tamil Nadu. They were required to make bell metal vessels for the temple and they made an alloy resembling silver which when polished shone like a true mirror.