Pulli Pothi

പുള്ളി പോതി

Pullippothi, also known as Pulli Bhagavathi, is one of the rarest and most fearsome Bhagavathi Theyyams performed in North Malabar. It belon… Learn the full story, rituals, and temples on Theyyakkalam.

Communities: Vannan

Deity type: Others

Origin & Sacred Story

Pullippothi, also known as Pulli Bhagavathi, is one of the rarest and most fearsome Bhagavathi Theyyams performed in North Malabar. It belongs to the group known as Payath Ombathal, a traditional classification of powerful and fierce deities. Today, this Theyyam survives only in a handful of shrines, particularly around Karivellur and Kodakkad.

According to tradition, the goddess was born at Kaliyar Madayil, where she grew into a fierce warrior deity. Armed with her Chedaka sword, she set out to meet Vellattu Daivathar (also known simply as Daivathar), appearing before him in an intensely wrathful form.

Daivathar questioned her: "Have you come to protect humanity, or to devour it?"

The goddess replied without hesitation: "I have come to devour — not to protect."

Angered by this declaration, Daivathar decided to humble her pride. Seizing his weapon, he pierced both of her eyes, blinding the goddess before sending her away. This episode is remembered during the Theyyam performance through the distinctive ritual use of Poykannu (artificial white eyes), one of the most recognizable features of Pullippothi Theyyam.

After leaving Daivathar, the goddess descended into the inhabited world. Her first abode was established at the Kappattu Valappil household, where a sacred shrine (Palliyara) was consecrated for her. During the annual Perumkaliyattam festival, Pullippothi Theyyam is traditionally performed there alongside her companion deity, Changolan Theyyam.

From there, the goddess later journeyed to Vellora Cheeyamcheri Thattin Meethal, where her worship continued. According to local tradition, while a devotee from Kodakkad Kotten Tharavad was attending the festival there, the goddess accompanied her back to Kodakkad. The family welcomed the deity, established a shrine, and has worshipped her there ever since.

The tradition further spread from Kodakkad to Muzhakkom Tholur Veedu, where Pullippothi continues to be worshipped under the same ritual lineage.

Performance & Rituals

Pullippothi Theyyam is performed annually during the Malayalam month of Dhanu as a complete ritual performance.

The Theyyam is visually striking and among the most terrifying in appearance. The performer wears Poykannu (artificial white eyes) symbolizing the goddess's blindness after Daivathar pierced her eyes, numerous fire ornaments attached to the fingers, waist garment, and headgear, a distinctive Tulu-style headgear featuring a uniquely trimmed circular crown, and elaborate facial decorations marked with a special spotted (Pulli) design, from which the deity derives her name.

Unlike many other Theyyams, the facial painting is traditionally drawn by the performer himself inside the aniyara (dressing chamber) before the performance begins.

The ritual costume, combined with blazing fire ornaments, white artificial eyes, and vigorous movements, creates an atmosphere of awe and sacred fear, emphasizing the fierce nature of the goddess.

At Kodakkad and Muzhakkom, the Theyyam is traditionally performed only by Manakkadan Vannan families who possess the hereditary ritual rights to enact this deity.

Cultural Significance

Pullippothi represents one of the oldest surviving traditions of fierce Bhagavathi worship in North Malabar. Although terrifying in appearance, she is revered as a powerful guardian deity whose fierce energy protects the sacred community.

Her legend reflects an important recurring theme in Theyyam traditions: divine power tempered through humility. The loss of her eyes symbolizes the curbing of destructive pride, while her later installation in human settlements signifies the transformation of divine wrath into protective guardianship.

The artificial eyes worn during the performance preserve the memory of this foundational legend, making Pullippothi one of the few Theyyams whose ritual costume directly reenacts a defining episode from her Aithihyam.

Today, the Theyyam remains an important hereditary ritual among the Manakkadan/Vannan community and continues to be performed at only a few traditional shrines, preserving an ancient oral tradition that has survived through generations.

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