Puthichon

പുതിച്ചോൻ

The Kirata tradition occupies a very important place in the origin and mythology of Theyyam. The stories of many Theyyam forms are derived f… Learn the full story, rituals, and temples on Theyyakkalam.

Communities: Vannan

Deity type: Others

Origin & Sacred Story

The Kirata tradition occupies a very important place in the origin and mythology of Theyyam. The stories of many Theyyam forms are derived from this tradition. Poolon and Puthichon are regarded as two manifestations of Kirata Shiva. They are two very rare Theyyam forms that are performed only on special occasions.

Puthichon is a Theyyam representing Lord Shiva in his Kirata (hunter) form. Other Theyyams such as Malarajan and Poolon are also based on this Kirata tradition.

According to tradition, during the Pandavas' exile, when the Kurukshetra War was approaching, Lord Krishna advised Arjuna that he would need divine weapons to defeat the Kauravas. Krishna instructed him to worship Lord Shiva, and Arjuna began performing intense penance.

Moved by Arjuna's devotion, Goddess Parvati asked Shiva to bless him immediately. Shiva replied that Arjuna still possessed pride in his own prowess as an archer, and that this arrogance had to be removed before he deserved the blessing. To test him, Shiva assumed the form of a Kirata (a tribal hunter), while Parvati took the form of a huntress, accompanied by Shiva's attendants disguised as hunters.

At the same time, Duryodhana sent the demon Mukasura, disguised as a wild boar, to disrupt Arjuna's penance. Seeing the charging boar, Arjuna stopped his meditation and shot an arrow at its front. Simultaneously, Shiva, in the guise of the Kirata, shot another arrow that struck the boar from behind. The boar died, but both claimed responsibility for the kill, leading to an argument that escalated into a fierce duel.

Despite his skill, Arjuna was defeated and fell unconscious. Realising that only Lord Shiva could help him, he fashioned a Shiva Linga from clay and worshipped it with wild forest flowers. When he opened his eyes after offering the flowers, he saw that they had fallen upon the head of the Kirata. At that moment, Arjuna understood that the hunter was none other than Lord Shiva himself.

Arjuna then asked Shiva for the Pashupatastra, the supreme divine weapon. Recognising that Arjuna had refrained from using celestial weapons against someone he believed to be an ordinary hunter, Shiva deemed him worthy and granted him the Pashupatastra.

A local North Malabar tradition further identifies this episode with places in present-day Kannur district. It holds that during the Pandavas' exile, they reached the Sahyadri Hills; Shiva shot the boar from the site of the present Payyavoor Shiva Temple, the arrow struck the boar at Ambettil near Pariyaram, and the animal finally collapsed at Thrippannikkunnu in Mathamangalam. This regional tradition forms the mythological basis for the Kirata-related Theyyams, including Puthichon.

Performance & Rituals

Their costume includes a headgear that resembles that of Vairajathan, along with a Vithanathara extending below the waist. The facial makeup is similar to that of Oorpazhassi, although the upper facial designs differ slightly.

Puthichon is characterized by a restrained style of dance and a ritual speech (mozhi) delivered in the Kirata mood and character. The Purappadu (processional appearance) of Puthichon takes place during the daytime.

Cultural Significance

The hereditary right to perform the Puthichon Theyyam belongs to the Manakkadan lineage.

These rare Theyyam forms are performed every year at: Daiveeruvar Sthanam, Manjammada, Karivellur Kurunthil Kottaram, Niduvappuram

These Kirata-form deities are collectively known as Daiveeruvar ("The Divine Pair").

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