page_title: Muthappan
section_title: Myths and legends
hierarchical_section_title: Muthappan / Myths and legends
caption_attribution_description: Theyyam or Theyyaattam is a pattern of hero worship performed in Kolathunaad, a territory comprising the present Cannanore District and Badagara Taluk of Kerala State (North Kerala). It is a ritual and a folk-dance form supported by a vast literature of folk songs. Theyyam is a corruption for Deyvam - ‘God’. 'Aattam' means dance. Thus 'Theyyaattam' means the God’s Dance. This is the Muthappan veLLaattam from Ancharakkandi, Kannur in Kerala, India - a ritual before the main theyyam.
context_page_description: Sree Muthappan is a deity commonly worshiped in the Kannur, Kasargod region of Kerala and Coorg region of Karnataka in India.Muthappan is worshiped as a single deity but he is considered as the personification of two divine figures— the Thiruvappana or Valiya Muttapan and the Vellatom or Cheriya Muttapan.
  The shrine where Muthappan is worshipped is called Madappura.The Parassinikadavu Madappura is the most important.
  Practices in Muthappan temples are quite distinct from those in other Hindu temples of Kerala.The Worshipping system is according to Shakteyam where Panja-ma-kara are offered, sometimes including madyam and mamsam. The main liturgy is a ritual enactment of Muthappan, performed daily at the Parassinikadavu temple. Most temples in Kerala do not allow non-Hindus to enter; Muthappan temples are said to be much more liberal in this regard.
  Muthappan is the principal deity in the ritualistic Theyyam dance performed in the famous Parassinikkadavu temple. The ritual performers of Muthappan Theyyam belong to the Vannan community of Kerala. The puja rituals and rites for Muthappan are performed by the Thiyyar community.
context_section_description: Muthappan is believed to be the personification of two divine figures — Thiruvappana and Vellatom. The dual divine figures Thiruvappana and Vellatom are similar to those of the Theyyamkaliyattem of the northern Malabar region. Though Sree Muthappan is worshiped as a single deity, it actually represents an integrated or unified form of two gods: Vishnu (with a fish-shaped crown) and Shiva (with a crescent-shaped crown).
  Sri Muthappan's Theyyams are performed year-round whereas other Theyyams are seasonal (lasting October to May).
caption: Vellaattom performing
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