Agni Kandakarnan Theyyam

One story behind this theyyam goes like this: A swami hailing from Gokarna, was on a long journey. Enroute, he reached a place called Kannuveedu and he was approached by a thief. The sweltering heat had the Swami asking the thief for a drink of coconut water. But, the thief’s attention was primarily on the golden chain the Swami wore. Seizing the opportunity, the thief murdered the Swami. Following this, the spirit of the Swami began haunting the locality, causing disturbances.

It was a Muslim cleric who managed to confine the Swami’s spirit. However, while being transported, the vessel containing the spirit broke, and the spirit entered the body of a girl in Eramath. The spirit’s mischief persisted until the villagers, weary of its antics, relocated the Swami to an isolated place.

There’s another more popular tale about Kandakarnan. He is believed to have originated from Lord Shiva’s throat (Kanda) and emerged through his ear (Karna).