Madayil Chamundi Theyyam

The Theyyams invoked under the name ‘Kali’ include Bhadrakali, Veerar Kali, Karinkali, Pullikkali, Chudala Bhadrakali, and Puliyurukali among others. The Kali that defeated Chanda and Munda, and drank the blood of Raktabija to prevent it from spilling on the ground, is referred to as ‘Chamundi.’ She is often called ‘Rakta Chamundi’ and ‘Rakteshwari’ due to her immersion in blood. Kali’s pursuit of the Chandamundas across the celestial and nether realms is why she is also known as ‘Pathalamoorthi’ and ‘Madayil Chamundi.’

The story behind this theyyam goes like this: Mootha Pothuval and his assistant Kuruvadan Nair once went hunting in a forest. Armed with bows and arrows, they pressed forward with vigour. Suddenly, they heard the sound of a rustle nearby and sensed movement. They hurried towards the noise to identify the fallen prey. While searching, they noticed something unusual; a beastly roar echoed in the distance. Frightened and awestruck, both started running and it was Mootha Pothuval who first saw what they were running from.

Fierce eyes gleaming from inside a large cave, dark figures appearing from the depths — a terrifying form emerged and chased them out of the forest. They ran for their lives, with the terrifying figure close behind, her anklets jingling and silver bells tinkling. They found refuge in the shrine of Kanakkarayamma. The goddess spoke, “Mootha Pothuval, you are like a son to me, return home safely.” However, the relentless Kali, known as Pathalabhairavi, used her sharp nails to cut open Nair, drank his blood, and trampled him under her feet to subdue him.

Pothuval offered a seat in the shrine to the now calm Bhairavi and appeased her with flowers and a lit lamp. She was thus installed as ‘Madayil Chamundi’ in the temple. It is believed that Madayil Chamundi originated from the Alantatta forest, which is why she is often referred to as ‘Bhagavathi of Alantatta Madavathil Kavu.’