Blessings from the divine

Once the moments of transformation from the mortal self to the divine self are complete, the Theyyam artist is viewed by the devotees as the deity itself. They listen for prophesies and wait for blessings. At Adikkumpara Puthiya Bhagavathy temple, Kannur, a Vishnumoorthy Theyyam figure is seen blessing the devotees.

Vishnumoorthy, worshipped by the members of the Malaya community in northern Kerala, is believed to be another form of the Narasimha incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is one of the most featured Theyyam figures in the temples here.

Theyyam, the spectacular ritual art of Kerala, is a form of hero worship. The word Theyyam is the corrupt form of Daivam, meaning God.