Vaishnava
Sree Muthappan
ശ്രീ മുത്തപ്പൻ
Also: Thiruvappana, Vellattam
Photo: Abhiraj Panakkadan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
The people's deity of North Malabar — a fusion of Vishnu and Shiva, worshipped with toddy and dried fish, performed every day at Parassinikkadavu.
Muthappan is unlike any other Theyyam. He is performed the whole year round, not only in the season, and his shrines (madappuras) welcome people of every caste and faith. Muthappan appears in two forms performed together: Thiruvappana, identified with Vishnu, wearing a crescent-shaped headgear and carrying a bow and arrow, and Vellattam, identified with Shiva, with a smaller headgear and a simpler costume. Dogs are sacred to Muthappan and are seen freely in his shrines; bronze dogs guard the entrance at Parassinikkadavu. The deity speaks directly with devotees, listens to their troubles and blesses them individually.
The legend
A childless Brahmin couple of Ayyankara found a baby floating on a lotus leaf in the river and raised him. The boy grew up hunting and drinking toddy with the forest people, to the horror of his adoptive parents. When he revealed his divine form he left home, roamed the hills, befriended a toddy-tapper named Chanthan at Kunnathoor Padi and finally chose Parassinikkadavu on the Valapattanam river as his seat.
Performed by
Vannan community
Costume & kolam
Thiruvappana: tall crescent mudi, bow and arrow. Vellattam: small mudi, face painted with a striking black-and-white pattern.
Sree Muthappan in pictures
Photo: Abhiraj Panakkadan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Vijayakumarblathur · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Vijayakumarblathur · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: rajeshodayanchal · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: rajeshodayanchal · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Vijayakumarblathur · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Where to see Sree Muthappan (77 venues)
Kunnathoor Padi Sree Muthappan Madappura
കുന്നത്തൂർ പാടി ശ്രീ മുത്തപ്പൻ മടപ്പുര
Kunnathoor Padi, Naduvil
18 Dec – 16 Jan 2027 · Dhanu 2 – Makaram 2Estimated
Sree Muthappan
Parassinikkadavu Sree Muthappan Temple
പറശ്ശിനിക്കടവ് ശ്രീ മുത്തപ്പൻ മടപ്പുര
Parassinikkadavu
Every day, morning & evening
Sree Muthappan
Adukkunnu Kaav Bhagavathi Kshethram Payyanur
Payyannur
Dates to be announced
Sree Muthappan · Vishnumoorthi · Raktha Chamundi
Ancharakkandi Palayam Arayalkeezhil Sree Muthappan Temple
Chakkarakkal via
21 Feb – 23 Feb 2027 · Kumbham 8–10Estimated
Sree Muthappan · Gulikan
Aravilakkandi Muthappan Madappura Puthiyatheru
Kannur
Dates to be announced
Sree Muthappan · Gulikan · Bhagavathi (Kurumba / Chamundi forms)
Arayambeth Thirumangalath Thalappankandi Kshethram
Chirakkal
Dates to be announced
Sree Muthappan · Vishnumoorthi · Gulikan
Ayyanguni Madappura
Alavil
Dates to be announced
Sree Muthappan · Gulikan
Bavod Sree Muthappan Temple
Peralasseri
Dates to be announced
Sree Muthappan · Gulikan · Bhagavathi (Kurumba / Chamundi forms)
Chekkikkunn Sri Thayiparadevatha Sambradhaya Kshethram
Mayyil
Dates to be announced
Sree Muthappan · Vishnumoorthi · Raktha Chamundi
Chembal Sri Muthappan Madappura Thalachagad Naduvanad (
Naduvanad
Dates to be announced
Sree Muthappan · Gulikan · Bali
Chorayamkundu Muthappan Temple
Anjarakkandy
Dates to be announced
Sree Muthappan · Gulikan · Bhagavathi (Kurumba / Chamundi forms)
Edayannur Manjakunnu Madappura Sree Muthappan Kshethram
Edayannur, Keezhallur
Dates to be announced
Sree Muthappan