Kerala - Kannur   

Month-long Kunnathurpadi festival begins

Staff Reporter

KANNUR: Sree Muthappan Devasthanam at Kunnathurpadi, located in the midst of forest land spread over 5,000 hectares, is now the venue of `Thiruvappana,' a Theyyam performance that depicts four phases in the life of the popular deity.

The Thiruvappana festival of the Devasthanam began at Kunnathurpadi on Saturday. Thousands of Muthappan devotees from across North Malabar will visit the shrine during the month-long festival. Hundreds of devotees from Kodagu in neighbouring Karnataka will also visit the Devasthanam, which is open to devotees only during the festival season.

Kunnathurpadi is believed to be the birthplace of Muthappan, worshipped as the god of the poor in these parts. There is no permanent shrine or idol in the vicinity.

During Thiruvappana, the performer dressed in elaborate costumes and headgear dances to the accompaniment of drumbeats. The performance usually starts at midnight. After the night-long Thiruvappana, the performance of `Vellattam' wakes up the devotees. While Thiruvappana represents Muthappan, the Vellattam Theyyam represents Payyavoorappan who is believed to have guarded Muthappan during his wanderings.

The devotees offer toddy, apart from tender coconut, to Muthappan during the festival. A `kolam' of Padikutty, Muthappan's adoptive mother as per legend, is made. The festival will come to a close on January 15.

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