Bhagavathi (Mother Goddess)
Karimchamundi
കരിഞ്ചാമുണ്ഡി
Also: Karim Chamundi, Karinchamundi
Photo: Sreejithk2000 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
The black Chamundi with a fearsome wooden mask, worshipped at the Payyanur Karim Chamundi temple.
Karimchamundi is a dark, fierce form of Chamundi. The performer wears a black wooden mask and a costume of coconut fronds, and the performance is intense and raw. The Payyanur Karim Chamundi Temple holds its Theyyam in Makaram.
Performed by
Pulaya, Malayan (varies) community
Costume & kolam
Black wooden mask, palm-frond skirt.
Karimchamundi in pictures
Photo: Sreejithk2000 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Sreejithk2000 at Malayalam Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Where to see Karimchamundi (11 venues)
Payyanur Karim Chamundi Temple
Main Road
30 Jan 2027 · Makaram 16Estimated
Karimchamundi · Bhagavathi (Kurumba / Chamundi forms)
Kavvayi Cherikkal Sree Mangala Chamundi Kanjirai Paradevatha Temple
Kavvayi
Dates to be announced
Vishnumoorthi · Gulikan · Pottan Theyyam
Kodakkal Tharavadu Devasthanam
Thalichalam
24 Apr – 25 Apr 2027 · Medam 10–11Estimated
Gulikan · Pottan Theyyam · Karimchamundi
Kollareth Tharavad Someswary Karimchamundi Kottam
Kolasseri
Dates to be announced
Karimchamundi · Bhagavathi (Kurumba / Chamundi forms)
Kundarm Sree VishnuMoorthi Karim Chamundeswari Devasthanam
Kannur
Dates to be announced
Vishnumoorthi · Gulikan · Pottan Theyyam
Parambayi Chandroth Perumalayan Tharavad Sree Chamundeswari Temple
Mambaram, Vengad
Dates to be announced
Raktha Chamundi · Gulikan · Karimchamundi
Payyannur Karamel Padiyilkottam Azhikkottu Gurunathan Devasthanam
Payyannur Karamel
25 Oct – 27 Oct 2026 · Thulam 8–10Held
Sree Muthappan · Vishnumoorthi · Gulikan
Pottan Kavu, Dharmadam
Swamikunnu
Dates to be announced
Gulikan · Pottan Theyyam · Karimchamundi
Shanthipuram Sree Mahadeva Temple
Udayagiri
Dates to be announced
Karimchamundi · Bhagavathi (Kurumba / Chamundi forms)
Sree Pottan Daiva Devasthanam Vaadippuram
Vaadippuram
Dates to be announced
Vishnumoorthi · Gulikan · Pottan Theyyam
Thekkumbadu Koolom Thazhekkavu Bhagavathy Temple
Cherukunnu
17 Dec – 22 Dec 2026 · Dhanu 1–6Estimated
Karimchamundi · Bhagavathi (Kurumba / Chamundi forms)