Muthappan Temple, also known as Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple, boasts of the most unorthodox Hindu deity. Situated on the banks of River Valapatnam in Thaliparamba in Kannur, the temple is famous for its unique practices and rituals -Theyyam. The principal deity of the temple, Lord Muthappan, is believed to be the manifestation of both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.
Interestingly, his favourite offering is toddy and fish - something the Brahmins would flinch at. This is the only temple where Theyyam, the popular art form of North Malabar, is performed daily. The annual festival in December attracts hordes of people irrespective of their caste or religion.
The legend has it that Naduvazhi of Ayyankara Brahmin family in Payyavoor village and his wife, Padikutty Antharjanam, had no offspring. Padikutty Antharjanam was an ardent devotee of Shiva. One day she spotted a baby in a basket of flowers floating down the river as she was taking a bath in the river, and took the baby as a blessing of Lord Shiva. The child grew up to be a helpful boy who cared for the downtrodden and poor people. However, to the shock of his family, he began hunting and eating meat, which were a taboo for a Brahmin.
Unable to bear the condemnation from his family, the boy decided to leave home. When his mother attempted to stop him, he appeared to her in his godly avatar and in fury. She requested him to cover his eyes with a Poikannu, a type of shield for the eyes, since she was afraid that such a fiery look may cause the destruction of the world. Wearing a shield on his eyes, he left home passing through various villages in the Malabar region.
A dog is said to have followed Muthappan throughout his journey. Hence, in the temple of Muthappan, dogs are considered divine. The temple entrance is flanked by a statue of a dog on either side.
