Pisharodi is believed to be the descendants of the old days Pishara’s. The name pisharodi came from two words – ‘Pishara’ and ‘Odi’. 'Pisharakan' means 'Ambalavasi', a person related with temple and temple related jobs (Kazhakam).
There is an interesting story behind this name. Once, a Namboothiri performed rituals to become a sanyasi. When it reached the stage of pulling out of hair strand from his head, he obstructed it and went back. Thus the Namboothiri who retreated without pulling out (pizhathe) hair came to be called pizhathe-odi and later pisharaodi. The places where these people stay are known as 'Pisharam' or 'sharam'.
In northern Kerala, the term Pisharodikal is used, whereas in southern parts it is Pisharadikal.
