In the past, it was believed that the gods were the ones who caused diseases and cure diseases. Because of that, the gods who cause disease and the gods who cure disease were worshiped at that time. Kandakarnan is one of the Gods who cure diseases. Kandakarnan is also known as Agnikandakarnan.
The story of Kandakarnan is directly related to the story of Vasurimala Bhagwati(goddess). Because of that, the origin of Kandakarnan can only be told by adding the story of Vasurimala Bhagwati, the cause of the disease.
The story of Kandakarnan and Vasurimala are related to death of Darikasura. In the past, when the Devasura war was going on, the Asuras were suffering a heavy defeat. When the Asura race was destroyed by the gods, the Asura women took their husbands and hid in the underworld. In order to protect their race, the demon women Darumati and Danavi appeared to Brahma through penance. They prayed to Lord Brahma that they would have children who would increase the Asura clan and be extremely powerful. As they requested, Brahma blessed them with boons. As per Brahma’s blessing, a son was born to both of them and they were named Danavan and Darika.
When Darika and Danava grew up, they decided to take revenge on the gods who destroyed their race. They performed severe penance and manifested Brahma. They received the strength of a thousand elephants, the weapon Brahma Danda, and the two mantras Mayavati and Tamasi as boons from Lord Brahma. They also obtained the boon that they would die only from women.
Danava and Darika who got Varasidhi started attacking the Devas. The world of gods trembled under their power. The gods fought with all their might and finally succeeded in killing Danika. But Darikan remained invincible and continued his prowess. The devas were not fit to face Darika.
Finally God Parama Shiva created Bhadrakali from his third devine eyes and sent her to kill Darika. A fierce battle took place between Bhadrakali and Darika. Knowing that Darikan would die in the battle, Darikan’s wife Manodari prayed to Lord Shiva and cried to save her husband. Devastated by Manodari’s grief, Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva to help her. Lord Shiva took some drops of sweat from his body and gave it to Manodari, and Lord Shiva told Manodari that if you sprinkle these drops of sweat on people, your troubles will end. Manodari, who was leaving with a drop of sweat, saw Bhadrakali coming with Darikan’s neck. Unable to bear the grief and anger, Manodari sprinkled that drop of sweat on Bhadrakali’s body. Bhadrakali became ill and collapsed as soon as the sweat fell on her body. Blisters appeared all over Bhadrakali’s body. On hearing this information Lord Shiva got angry and created a fierce idol. The idol that originated from Lord Shiva’s throat(Kandam) and came out through ear(Karnam) was named Kandakarnan. Shiva told Kandakarnan to cure Bhadrakali’s illness. Shiva told Kandakarnan to cure Bhadrakali’s illness. Kandakarnan approached his sister Bhadrakali and licked all the boils on her body and cured swells. But Kandakarnan could not heal the sores on her face as she was a sister and was not allowed to touch face to face. It was later believed that this is the reason why even if all the scars on the body of those who have smallpox are removed, only the scars on the face remain.
Kandakarnan brought Manodari to Bhadrakali, who had recovered from her illness. Enraged, Bhadrakali cut off Manodari’s eyes, ears and legs. He told her that you should never again see, hear or walk around and harm people. But later, Bhadrakali took a liking to Manodari and gave her the name Vasuri Mala and took her offspring as a companion. In later times it was believed that smallpox was spread by the VasuriMala.
In this story, Kandakarnan and Vasurimala are performed as Kandakarnan Theyyam and Vasurimala Theyyam in North Malabar.
It is believed that Lord Shiva sent Kandakarnan and Vasurimala to the earth for the sake of Jana. On earth King of Kashi saw Kandakarnan who had arrived but he ignored Kandakarnan and King of Kashi contracted smallpox. When he posed the problem, he realized that the disease was caused by Kandakarnan’s anger and built a temple for Kandakarnan as a remedy. After that, Kandakarnan who came to Malanad was given puja. Thus Kandakarnan had Theyyakolam in Malanadu.
Kandakarnan, a monstrous figure with giant hair and fireballs dancing around his body, is performed up by the Malaya community. Kandakarnan also has the distinction of having the highest number of fireballs in his body.
