In India, the dread of the unknown manifests itself in various ways. They take shape in the mythology of the area and are generally as dangerous as they are fascinating. In India, ghosts, demons, and stories are as ancient as civilization. Most of these stories are driven by belief and superstition are symbolic of how we as a society view mythology and spirituality. People often say, "If there's light, there's darkness. If there's truth, there exist lies. If they're good, there's evil lurking somewhere."

Yakshinis and their male partners, yakshas, are among the many supernatural entities linked with India's centuries-old holy groves. Yakshinis may al

Yakshinis ay also be found in the traditions of Northeastern Indian tribes, old Christian folklore of Kerala, and Kashmiri Muslim folktales. Yakshinis can be classified into two categories- the well-behaved and good ones, worshipped as protectors of wealth, and the bad ones who behave like poltergeists and have a habit of haunting human beings.

Yakshinis have also been expressed in Indian art in various ways. There are motifs wherein a yakshini is seen at the base of an Ashoka tree, indicating fertility. Yakshinis are often found as doorwomen in Hindu and Buddhist temples. Their foot is near the bottom of the Ashoka tree trunk, and they hold a branch of Ashoka flowers in their hands. Now the question arises- how is a yakshini related to the secret chambers of the Padmanabhaswamy temple? Let's unravel the story by discovering who this woman was and how she became a yakshini.

Long long ago, there lived a courtesan named Sreedevi. With wealthy clients moving around her like bees attracted to honey, she lived a life full of luxury and popularity. Though she had a lot of admirers, she fell in love with her palanquin-bearer Kunjuraman, who carried both Sreedevi and her brother, Govindan. However, Kunjuraman did not reciprocate her feeling since he was already married. Some other versions tell us of the affair between Govindan and Kunjuraman.

Sreedevi, frustrated by Kunjuraman's sexual disinterest in her, plotted for Kunjuraman's spouse to be murdered. When Govindan discovered that his sister was the mastermind behind the conspiracy, he informed Kunjuraman, who consented to engage with Sreedevi. Kunjuraman strangled Sreedevi when she was in the throes of passion for revenge on his wife's murder.

Minutes after her death, she was reborn as a yakshini to a couple in Kanjirottu. She mysteriously changed into a beautiful woman shortly after birth. She went on to seduce, terrify, and drink men's blood as a yakshini, never forgetting to bother the still-living Kunjuraman, whom she passionately desired. To help Kunjuraman from the constant sexual torture by Sreedevi, Govindan went ahead to strike a deal with her.

The condition went as follows- Sreedevi and Kunjuraman would live as a couple for one year, and as soon as the term ended, she would have to become an ardent devotee of Lord Narasimha. She would have to agree to be installed at the temple and pray for Govindan and Kunjuraman's relationship to bloom by all means. In accord, the yakshini vowed to fulfill all the conditions, and after a year, she was put at the Kanjiracottu Valiaveedu Temple, which was destroyed many years later. With time, the yakshini was revered and venerated by the locals, and she became an important figure in the temple.

It is believed that after becoming an ardent worshipper of Lord Narasimha, the yakshini began to reside in the Vault B of the Padmanabhaswamy temple. Managed by the royal Travancore family, this temple consists of six vaults, including the haunted Vault B. An order was passed by Supreme Court in 2011 to open all the vaults of the temple, and treasure worth over US$20 billion was revealed. It is considered one of the world's most significant treasures to date.

However, Vault B remains unopened due to various legal and superstitious issues. A legend says of an even bigger treasure hidden in this vault. But there are beliefs that people don't want the vault to be opened as it would disturb the yakshini, and her evil powers would be unleased on the earth, destroying anyone and everyone who came in her way.

"Disturbing her tranquility would be a calamity," Princess Aswathi Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bayi notes, "particularly if her current peaceful disposition reverts to the frightening attitude that was formerly hers." This Yakshi's beautiful and menacing shapes are etched on the southwest side of Sri Padmanabhaswamy's temple. Travancore's royal family has full rights to manage the temple, and they insist that Vault B should not be opened, stating that it is a "secret and sacred place."

The door carvings depict a giant snake guarding the temple god. It appears that sadhus singing thee Garuda Mantra are the only ones who can unlock the doors. The problem is that no such sadhus are remaining in India. According to legend, the vault is linked to the sea, and opening it will cause a deluge that would drown Thiruvananthapuram.