Muchilot Bagavathi Kunnav Muchilot kavu

Muchilot Bagavathi theyyam performed at Kunnav Muchilot Kavu on 10 January 2010. To watch the performance of Thamburatti Chirakkal thamburan came to the Pallimadam
A great experience to me
Theyyam calls Thamburan as Naduvazhi
Explaimned her origin
Praising the ruling family
Received cloth from the Thamburan
Before that Bagavathy danced beautifully
Gave blessings to the devotees
Take a symbolic bath in the pond
Before taking the bath
Standing on a peedam
Acting ............ brushing the tooth
Oiling the hair
Shambooing by using leaves

Chayillyam Logan and Theyyattam Other Voice

While watching theyyam at Eramam Muchilot Kavu
I met one manHis face tells his intelligence.
But behave like an ordinary man.
I talked him about Chayllyam.
He put some questions before me.
Is Theyyam a ritual ?
Is it belonged to a separate community ?
Is here a Koyma accepted by all ?
Is here a panthal separate for Namboothiris ?
Is here personification of goddess ?
Knowing all this why all non believers assembled here along with lakhs of believers ?
Why they criticising rituals ?
Why they kept silent on the monopoly of covering the theyyam festival for selling cds through internet at a rate of $50 and above ?
Why the announcements give importance to the coverage of vedeography than giving repeated announcement about theft ?
Why the devotees are driving away from temple premises ?
Is it for the coverage ?Why the people are forbidden from taking photograph of theyyam ?They are taking the potograph with devotion........ is it for business purpose ?
ThenWhat the relation with Logans theyyattam and the theyyattam of today ?
Is Theyyattam originated in the minds of Dalits as per the study of its origin ?
But what happened to their pathis now ?
Is the organisers give any chance to them to perform their theyyam also ?
Then he told me
Try to answer yourself
I put all these questions on you

Neyyattam at Muchilot Kavu Eramam

The Valyakkar with great enthusiasm participated in the Neyyattam led by Komarams
Along with Mangalakunjugal
And with Muchilot Bagavathi thottam
A great experience
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Theyyams at Eramam Muchilot Kavu

Muchilot Bagavathi
Kannagat Bagavathi
Puliyoor Kali
Puliyur Kannan
Narambil Bagavathi
Vishnumoorthi
Kundor Chamundi
Kaikolan
Thalswaroopan
Other Kolams
Changan
Pongan
Kooth
Other specialities
Elath with devotional step
God with out mukhatheyuth in the minds of the devotees
Neyyattam
Panthal Mangalam
A great event in the minds of the people
Some assembled with devotion
To some to feed their empty stomach
Others, maily the kachavadakkar, an occassion to collect money to feed their family
Some others a platform to prove their administrative power
Majority behave in good and neat manner
Valyakkar shows a committed life
I met Sri Raghavan master
To learn many things from him
how to behave and like things
He shines in the Perumkaliyattam not with preaching but with practice
Sometimes because of his devotion to goddess Sree Muchilot Bagavathi
He knows everything about the origin of Muchilot Bagavathi and the Eramam temple

Muchilot Bagavathi [ Bagavathy ] Eramam kavu

From January 7 to 10 2010
A place near Payyanur
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muchilot bagavathi [ bagavathy ] Thirumudi

The thirumudi of Muchilot Bagavathy bagavathy consists of

1. poothanda

2. pathi

3. mallika

4. chekki

5. silver paper

6. Flowers made of tender coconut

7. Chekkimala

8. Thalathanda

9. Thalapalli

10. Ekali

11. Olakathu

12. Kayattikkettu

13. Arimbumala

14. Eiyaram

15. Munkaivala

16. Choondakam

17. Poothanda

18. Chendu valayan

19. Vithanathara

20. Chilambu

21. Pantham

22.Poykkannu

For more details contact nandakumarkoroth@gmail.com

The highly decorated thirumudi with Beautiful mukhatheyuth attracts the devotees

and presented Muchilot Bagavathi as a gracious personification of Goddess Parvathi.

kannangat bagavathi [ bagavathy ]

Kannangat Bagavathi a form of Durga
Believed to be the divinity that heralded Krishna's avatar, so her name is "Kannangattu", or "The One Who Showed Kannan (Krishna)". Bhagavathy is often said to be the sister of Vishnu
When Vishnu descended on Earth as Krishna
Kannangat Bagavathi proceeded him
The Theyyam legend of this goddess follows a regional variant of the Bhagavatham.
It was said that Krishna's parents were held hostage by the wicked King Kamsa. Kamsa was told by an oracle that his sister (Devaki) and her husband (Vasudeva) would produce a son that would end his cruel reign. That son would be Krishna, and to prevent the prophecy from coming true, Kamsa hoped to murder him once he was born. In order to facilitate this, he kept Devaki and Vasudeva in prison. And anytime Devaki gave birth, Kamsa would grab the infant and smash it onto the ground.
After rescuing the souls of the murdered infants, Bhagavathy decided to save her brother's earthly avatar. So when he was born, she took the form of a small baby in the house of a cow-herder named Nanda, who lived some distance from Kamsa. She then had her own earthly form exchanged with that of Krishna's. She thought certainly Kamsa would not hurt a small baby girl, especially since the prophecy foretold his demise at the hands of a boy.
But when Kamsa heard the baby's cries, he did not discriminate, and went to kill the small girl. The baby girl flew out of his hands, and assumed her real form as BhadraKaali. This terrified Kamsa, who was warned by the goddess that his end at the hands of Krishna was near.
The Goddess then flew around the world to bestow blessings and accept the worship of all beings. She was requested by the gods to bring down the evil demon Mahisaura, who would only be vulnerable to a "kanni" or small girl. Since the goddess was in the avatar of a small girl, she defeated him. (this part of the story is related to, but somewhat distinct from, the story of Durga in the Devi Mahatmyam).
The Goddess then came to a town in Kerala, hoping to meet the great goddess Muchilottu Bhagavathy (see above). When Kannangatu arrived, a festival for Siva was underway. Siva was afraid that the Goddess would eclipse him in brilliance, and so ordered his priests to have her bound with a chain. Grudingly, and out of respect for Siva, Kannangatu Bhagavathy allowed herself to be bound, but she was very angry that she (a divinity who had served the gods by slaying the Mahisasura, by helping Krishna escape from Kamsa, and by several other efforts) should be treated so poorly.
At the end of the festival, she burst from her bindings in order to demonstrate her power to both Siva and his priests. She then cursed them all with smallpox, since they committed a great sin by disrespecting a guest. They pleaded with her to remove the pox, but instead, she directed them to call upon the Goddess Muchilottu Bhagavathy.
Upon hearing the prayers addressed to her, the always merciful Muchilottu Amman appeared on the scene. She healed the afflicted persons, and then went talk with Kannagattu Devi. Kannangattu said to Muchilottu Amman that she had actually spread the disease with the hope that this might induce the other goddess to arrive in the area and bring her blessings. She said she had heard of Muchilottu's fame, and wanted to meet the goddess herself. Moved by her affection, Muchilottu promised to always be with Kannangatu Amman. Thus the two goddesses became great friends, and whenever one is worshipped, the other will always be present.
Every year Kannangat Bagavathy theyyam have been performed in Payyanur
One at Edat Kannangat temple
Next year at Kokkanisseri Kannangat temple
The thirumudi of Kannangat bagavathy consists of
1. poothanda
2. pathi
3. mallika
4. chekki
5. silver paper
6. Flowers made of tender coconut
7. Chekkimala
8. Thalathanda
9. Thalapalli
10. Ekali
11. Olakathu
12. Kayattikkettu
13. Arimbumala
14. Eiyaram
15. Munkaivala
16. Choondakam
17. Poothanda
18. Chendu valayan
19. Vithanathara
20. Chilambu
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malayirakkal

A ritual associated wit Muthappan theyyam

Manangiyattam

Related to the dance of Muchilot Bagavathi

kailasam

Muchilot bagavati kavu
Bagavathi theyyam starting from kailasakallu

Laksanam nokkal

By throwing coconut

kodiyila thottam

Mangalam kunjungal

Mangalam kunjungal
A ritual in connection with perumkaliyattam in Kazhakams, sthanams and kavus

edangazhi or edangayi

A pot usually made of wood used to measure rice, malar, etc in connection with the rituals of theyyam

kuthuvilakku

From the starting of the ritul the theyyam performance associated with kuthuvilakku

priyesh panikker

Priyesh panikker at an young age performing theyyams like moovalamkuzhi chamundi

In several kavus he performed varieties of theyyams like Vishnumoorthi, Madayil Chamundi etc

He belonged to Kodakkad

The moovalamkuzhi chamundi performed by him at Karivellut madappally madam sree Someswari temple got the appreciation of devotees

kodiyila

Another inevitable item for the performance of theyyam
From the beginning to end kodiyila plays its own role

peedam and theyyams

Theyyam performance and its ritual needs a peculiar furniture item peedam
Nowadyas some performerce used fibre and plastic items instead of peedam
At koroth tharavad, Pallur there the tharavad owned nealy 100 peedams
There staged more than 50 kuttichathan theyyams at a time
And also several Uchtta theyyams, several Khandakarnan theyyam and several Thee Chamundi in one day
A marvellous experience to the devotees

Kanathur Nalvar Devasthanam

Kanathur Nalvar Devasthanam

A famous centre of theyyam performance

Theyyam performed there from 27 december 2009 to 1 december 2010 are Panjuruli, Bamberiyan, Manichi, Kundamkulayan, Raktheswari, Ilayor Daivam

For more details contact nandakumarkoroth@gmail.com

Guligan

Several types of Guligan theyyams are performed by the theyyam performers

Its origin connected with God Siva

A powerful Guligan thara at Benganakavu, Nileshwar

The Guligan at Sree Madappally Madam Someswari temple attracts the devotees through its peculiar movements

Devotees prayed before Guligan to get blessings

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Trikkannad temple

Related to the origin of Moovalamkuzhi chamundi

Triyambakeswara temple

God Siva showering blessings to the people

The story of Moovalamkuzhi Chamundi connected with a battle

Tells the invasion of Pandya ruler

Frightened people assembled in the temple

There came Bagavathi

Destroyed the Pandyan troops

Evidence as per myth ................ the Pandyan kallu [ stone] in the Arabian Sea infront of the temple

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Koymma

The term denotes the right of the naduvazhis of the concerened area
It equals the modern patron
They have the right to occupy padippura
Also have the right to padippuram kaliyattam
For instance the koymma at Nileshwaram Muthappan Temple is Koroth Kunhambu Nair
At Madappally madam Someswari temple ............ Periyaram Nair family members
Nileshwar Padinhare Chamundi temple ............. Koroth Kunhambu Nair
In every Kazhakam run by Maniyani, Thiyyas etc have Koymmas and Padippuras
Also in Muchilot kavus, kavus of Veluthedath nair, Vilakkithala nair, Viswakarmas, etc
All are accepting the position of Koymmas
They have the power to dictate as per the theyyam ritual
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Theyyam Panikker

The term shows the experience and talent of Theyyam artists
Usually the title depends on the performance in Ottakolam
Jumping in to the pyre 100 times awarded by giving the title Panikker
Priyesh panikker got the title as a result of the performance as Madayil Chamundi
Moovalamkuzhi Chamundi and Panjuruli [ not the Panjuruli of Nalkkathayar ] theyyam have been performed by only Panikkers . Others have no right to perform as Panjuruli and Moovalamkuzhi chamundi

Perumalayan

Perumalayan heads the group of Malayan theyyam performers
Below him there are some Panikkers
Below the Panikkers the ordinary theyyam artists
Today [ 5.6.2010 ] I met the Perumalayan of Kodakkad
His word tells the divinity in him
He commands the performance of Moovalam Chamundi there
Panikkers like Kothorman and Priyesh present there
I talked him about Moovalamkuzhi chamundi
Q: Why Moovalamkuzhi chamundi at Kodavalam Mahavishnu temple, Perumbla Karicherri tharavad, Trikkannad temple etc differed from the performance from Nileshwar Veerarkkavu, Karivellur Someswari madappally madam, and Vellur?
A :
Q : Is there any relation between Madaikavu and Moovalamkuzhi Chamundi?
A:
Q: The origin of Moovalam Kuzhi Chamundi?
A : Related to the attack of Pandyan king

Meleri

Usually the term denotes the pyre in connection with Ottakkolam.
But attractive meleri we can seen in Kannamgat Kavu symbolic of the story of Kannaki
I experienced the thrilling of meleri 2 years back
Now again the occasion come
On 8 January 2010 at 4 am at Payyanur Kannangat Bagavathy temple
Again another type of meleri at Panayakkat Panayakkat Bagavathy temple, Kodakkad
Lastly the meleri at Muchilot Bagavathy kavus
Just before the beginning of Muchilot Bagavathy the valyakkar and velippads jumbing throgh the meleri

Musical Instruments used in theyyam or theyyattam

Chenda
Elathalam
Nagaswaram
Maddalam
Veekka chenda
Bronze Bell
Udukk

Costumes of Vishnumoorthi

Kumbum Koda
Thalamallika
Odachikutti
Lakshmi kathu
Thalathanda
Thalapalli
Chenipov
Olanakham
Kuttikathu
Thanda
Kazhuthil kettu
Nakham made of silver
Thanda vala
Odavalayan
Vanamala
Oliyota
Kannimundu
Oli
Manikayal
Pattupatakam
Chilambu

Theyyam Season

Theyyam season begins yearly from the end of October and ended by the beginning of June. Muthan theyyam is an excemption.
Also at Neeliyar Kottam, Kannapuram monthly Bagavathy theyyam performed
And also at Madayikkav [ a Saktheya kavu ] Maritheyyams performed in the month of July/ August
Other exceptions are the Karkkadakothi, Onathar and Onappottan

Potten theyyam

The myth behind 'Pottan Theyyam' is related to the story of Sree Sankaracharya.
While he was going to ascend "Sarwanjha Peedam" (throne of knowldge) 'Siva' intervened, disguised as a Dalit, with the intention to further test his knowledge. Siva came as 'Pulapottan', accompanied by 'Pulachamundi'(Parvathy in disguise) and, 'Pulamaruthan' (his minister Nadikesan).
During the performance by using different masks one after another the same performer acts the role of these different deities.
Sankaracharya asked them to go away as he he did not want to be polluted by coming near to members of the lower caste.
Then 'Pottan', who was Siva in disguise, engaged Sankaracharya in a series of arguments. God Siva exposes the hollowness of caste system which divides the humanity into irrational fragments.
"These arguments are dineated in "thottam" "that are verses pregnant with meanings." "It is blood that flows through our veins (though I am a Pulaya); It is rice harvested from my dirty fields that is served as food for you"-the arguments of Siva in disguise goes.
By quoting the thottam some argued that the Potten theyyam is a part of the resistance movement against the caste hierarchy and the verse are the creation of malaya community. But the essense of the thottampattu known to the people from ancient times onwards.
Potten theyyam also a part of the Brahmanisation of Kerala society as a result of the migration of Brahmins to Kerala. The 64 Brahmin settlements tells a different story countering the applause of the advocates of resistance movement.

Kayattukar

The system of kayattukar related to Vishnumoorthi theyyam
Now paady fields disappearing from Kerala
Ancient days for the protection of agricultural land Kayattukars were appointed
They were appointed by giving kayar [ rope ] to the kayattukar by Vishnumoorthi theyyam
In 2008 at Veethu Vayal, Nileshwar the ancient practice was revived by giving Kayar to four men and they are the protectors of agricultural field
They travelled with rope and rod in their hand
They used the rod for driving the cattles away from the field
Rope has multipurpose
It is used to catch the cattle and also to seize the produce for them as the wage for protecting the land
By using the rope they used to mark the portion of crops they wish to reap
The kayattukar belonged to different castes
One from nair caste
One from maniyani caste
and two from Thiyya caste

Moovalamkuzhi Chamundi

Moovalamkuzhi Chamundi , a great theyyam worshipped from different parts of Kasaragod district and also in Karivellur and Vellur in Kannur District
The goddess tells the story of Pandyan attack
Originated from Trikkannad Siva temple
Worshipped at Trikkannad, Karicherri kadavath tharavad, Perumbala, Kodavalam Vishnu temple and also the temple owned by nagaram at Nileshwar Anjoottambalam Veerar kavu, Karivellur theru. Vellur etc
For more details contact nandakumarkoroth@gmail.com

Kadamkot Makkam

Worshipped as a goddess of fetility
The custom of drinking Karikkin neeru [ Tender coconut water ] for fertility before Kadamkot Makkam
Kadamkott Makkam theyyam performed every year in the month of February
Devotees from Karanataka, different parts of Kerala and Tamilnadu came to Kunhimangalam to worship the Goddess
Goddess appeared with huge fire balls surroundering her body
Along with Kadamkot Chathu and her daughter
The theyyam giving blessings from 4 am to 5 pm
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Vasoorimala or Vasurimala

Worshipped to cure diseases
A great goddess
Sister of Khandakarnan Theyyam
Related to Saivism
Came to north with Kodungalloramma
Worshipped in several kavus south of the river Perumba

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Palanthai Kannan

A theyyam performed with utmost divinity at Kottappuram Vaikundanatha Temple, Nileshwar.
Tells the story of Migration
Also about the Janmi system
Then picking mango
Beating ............ then fled to Karnataka
Reside their in the house of a devotee of God Vishnu
He also became a staunch devotee
Wish to return with Olakkuda and sword
God also travelled with him
Tells the spread of Vaisnavism
Heard the news Kuruvatt Kurup send his men and killed Palathai Kannan
The infuriated God destroyed every thing near by
Frightened people approached astrolleger
Opined the presence of God
Then constructed a temple at Kottappuram now known as Vaikundanatha temple
Their resided Vishnumoorthi
Some History
Beating and killing Palathai shows the rigid caste syatem and Janmi system
The tomb of Palathai at Kottappuram shows the myth is not fully myth
With the martyordom of Palathai Kannan Vaisnava theyyams entered into the scenary
Vishnumoorthi became an inevitable theyyam in most of the Kavus were Kaliyattam held
The red colour of water near the Kadalikulam now a days [ where Palanthai Kannan was murdered ] shows what ? I here raising a question.............. belivers argued it is the mark of the killing and the power of Narasimhamoorthi
What happened to Kanakkappalli Anikkil Veedu, near Nileshwar bustand............... Anybody can inquire and find the decaying........................... stage............. the land was transfered from hand to hand................ Belivers think so............. but.................. answer expecting from viewers
Then Kadinjikkadav through Vishnumoorthi came with Palathai Kannan................. there also.............. what happened...left to the readers..........a chance to find out
Several other things on the way of Palathai Kannan
Thee Thamundi already performed south of Vlapattanam river
The same Mukhtheyuth [ face painting ] was used for Vishnumoorthi
In all the story of Palathai Kannan tells the review of political, economic and social condition of the period.
In total the Vishnumoorthi theyyam exhibits the assimilation of Kolathunad and Tul culture
At last.one more thing.the thottampattu was written by Palai Krishnan Parappen
Thats by I wrote an article Vishnumoorthi; More than a Myth
For more details contact nandakumarkoroth@gmail.com

Edu

Associated with vishnumoorthi kavu [ place of worship]
In ancient days used for practicing archery
Ottakolam performance celebrated every year
In Ottakkolams Vishnumoorthi or thee chamundi jumbs in to the pyre
Vishnumoorthi shows the might of Narasimhamoorthi
Edus at Nileshwar Eduvingal, Pallikkera, Cheruvathur Kovval, Kanhangad Kunnummal, Near Kalanad, Thankayam, Trikaripuretc.
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Eela Bagavathy

A theyyam performed in the kavus of Mukayar community

Ali chamundi Alichamundi

A theyyam performed at Kumbla Padarkulangara bagavathy kavu
Prethakolam of a Muslim named Ali

Aryakkara bagavathy

Performing instead of Poomala Bagavathy in several kavus

No kolam for Poomala Bagavathy

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Aryakkara bagavathy

Daivathar

Andaloor Kavu near Thalassery
Theyyam worshipped as Sreerama
A great Vaisnava theyyam
Famous for Meyyal koodal ........... Showing the power of the sons of God
Villoppikkal - another important ritual at the kavu
People near the temple are famous for honouring guests during the featival season and arranginging feast to the guests
Daivathar appeared in the evening with Golden crown
Kumbam 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7 every year
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Karimkuttichathan

Originated from Kalakkattillam
The karmi of PallurKoroth nair tharavad present there every year in connection with the theyyam performance
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Kuttichathan

Pallur koroth tharavad
There a kuruthotti tree famous as koroth kurumthotti recently showering divine power to the devotees
Theyyam performe every year
Record number of Kuttichathan theyyam performed there

Padinhare chamundi

Once in two years at Nileshwar Padinhare Chamundikavu
maintained by Koroth nairs
Theyyam performing by the nalkkathayars
Kalassakar belonged to kalari
Powerful theyyam performed under a big Kanhiram tree
Attracts thousands of people from Kannur to Mangalore

muchilot bagavathi

Perumkaliyattam 2010

At Thirur muchilot kavu

Eramam Muchilot kavu

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Narambil Bagavathi

Near Padiyottchal a place called Narambil
Yearly Narambil Bagavathy theyyam performed
At Ramanthali Kodakkal koroth tharavad the performance of the Narambil Bagavathy differed from the performance of Narambil mainly on focusing the steps of the theyyam
Performed as Ugramurthi
In several Muchilot Bagavathy Kavus Narambil bagavathy also performed
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Vishnumoorthi

An all powerful Vaishnava Theyyam
Aroodam at Kottappuram near Nileshwar
Cheemeni Mundya famous for Vishnumoorthi theyyam
Idu connected with Vishnumoorthi theyyam tells the story of archery trainning
Ottakkolams shows the might of Narasimha moorthy
Influenced by Tulu culture
Related to Vishnumoorthi bhootha of Tulunadu
Tells the coming of god Vishnu from Mangalore
Connected with the story of Palanthai Kannan a native of Nileshwar
For more contact nandakumarkoroth@gmail.com

Perumkaliyattam

An year of perumkaliyattams ........... 2010............
First at Eramam Muchilot kavu in the month of January
Followed by Manikyamangalam near Kanhangad ............. there planned to perform around 100 theyyams.................... a novel attempt was done by giving two saplings to each house of the area

A fruitful memory for the Perumkaliyattam
Then Thirur Muchilot Kavu and also at Trikaripur Kannamangalam Kazhakam
An occasion to celebrate ............................

Perumkaliyattam really a grand theyyam festival

The rituals of perumkaliyattam covering the panthal nattu karmam, varachuvaykkal, arrival of lighted lamp from the nearby temple, thottampattu, vellattam, staging different theyyams, respecting the thanthri, koyma, velichappadans, kalasakkaran,giving curry , siiting on the peedam, kalasam etc.

At the perumkaliyattam held at Ramavilliam Kazhakam the total number of theyyams that were performed totalled an amazing 166.

Public feasting is a common practice in perumkaliyattams

Food is cooked for several lakh people

In Muchilot and Vayanatkulavan kavus the number of theyyams limited but give food to lakhs of people

Meleri is a usual practice connected with Muchilot perumkaliyattams

Hunting is a practice or ritual connected with Vayanatkulavan theyyam perumkaliyattam in Kasaragod district

The hunted animals meat is serving to lakhs of people

It symbolizing the Janmi system existed there in the previous era

Panthal mangalam of Mangalam kunjungal is a usual ritual connected with majority of the Perumkaliyattams except the Vayanatkulavan perumkaliyattam