MAHISHASURA: The Legend of Kumarikandam By Anand Neelakantan

In the lost Archipelago of Kumarikandam, ruled queen Devi when an alien invasion sets forth on the Earth. Driven by ambition and motivated by science, their leader Naqta brings to life a half beast-half alien Mahishasura who has now taken over Kumarikandam. As the premonitions of Aggatiar, the sage comes to life, Devi is now faced with an intergalactic war with Mahishasura and his army to save her kingdom.

Set 70,000 years ago, Mahishasura is an ultimate ode to the supreme energy mentioned in the Devi Purana. An exploration of the feminine form of parashakti, in the world of Anand Neelakandan, science, technology and AI clashes with the long-lost tales from the puranas retelling Indian mythology for the modern readers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Anand Neelakantan says he is often mistaken for an asura, for he too has curly hair! Anand had enough of the pranks of little asuras who irritated him in his sleep! And so, he decided to give it back to them in this book! When not disturbed by the naughty little devils, he writes many a bestseller, such as: The Rise of Sivagami (Baahubali: Before the Beginning Book 1); Asura: Tale of the Vanquished; Ajaya: Roll of the Dice; Ajaya: Rise of Kali; Vanara: The Legend of Baali, Sugreeva and Tara; and, most recently, Chaturanga (Baahubali: Before the Beginning Book 2).

Anand also devotes his time penning down screenplays for television, such as Siya Ke Ram, Ashoka, Mahabali Hanuman, and columns for The Hindu, Indian Express, the Washington Post and the Sunday Express Magazine. In his free time, Anand, along with his wife, Aparna, kids, Ananya and Abhinav, and trusty sidekick, Jackie the Blackie, battles clumsy and naughty asuras who are always ready with their next mischievous prank!

Paperback | 520 pp | Rs 599 | Releasing 29 November 2025