Kundor Chamundi Theyyam

This deity known as Kundoora Chamundi is revered as an embodiment of the goddess Kali who vanquished the demon Darika. This goddess is counted among the warrior deities and is believed to have incarnated in various forms during the Devasura wars to subdue demons. 

A significant incarnation is that of Devi Kaushiki, and Chamundi is considered one of her aspects. Kundoora Chamundi is said to represent Kali who defeated Darika. Chamundi took the form of a beggar woman along with the daughters of Darika’s wife, Kalakeyi, and after obtaining a threefold mantra, she confronted Darika. She fought fiercely with him for seven nights and finally slew him on the eighth day.

Post her victory over Darika, Kali went to purify herself in sacred rivers like Pakshi Tirtha and Kukshi Tirtha but found that her impurity didn’t wash away. She then reached the banks of the Kaveri River. There, she encountered Kundoora Tantri and Ettillam Tantri, who were performing their daily rituals. Kali disrupted their rituals, and understanding her divine power, Kundoora Tantri invoked Kali into a brass pot and tamed her. 

The pot was later placed on a sand mound as the Tantris rested during their journey. Kali attempted to escape but was caught and eventually granted a place next to Kundoora Appan (a form of Shiva) on his right side. Thus, she became known as Kundoora Chamundi.