Karinchamundi is the most fury looking Theyyam among the Theyyams in northern Kerala. Karinjamundi is mainly performed in the hilly areas of Kannur district. Karinjamundi Theyam, which is extremely brutal in appearance, demeanor and rituals, is sure to strike fear into the tender hearted.
It is believed that Karinjamundi is the goddess who defeated Mahishasura, who was extremely powerful and extremely evil. The mighty Mahishasura, who received the blessing from Lord Brahma that only a woman could kill him, conquered the Triloka and continued his misrule. To find an end to Mahishasura’s wickedness, the Trimurtis fought Mahishasura directly with the Deva army, but the result was unsuccessful. Finally, the Trimurtis Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva created a mighty goddess from the spirit of all three of them to kill Mahishasura.
Devi mounted on the giant lion given by Himavan and set out for war. On seeing the goddess, Mahishasura was mesmerized by the beauty of the goddess and said that he would marry her. But Devi said to Mahishasura that if you defeat me in the battle, I will become your wife. Thus a war started between Devi and Mahishasura, Devi killed all the followers of Mahishasura, and finally Devi killed Mahishasura by the neck using the wheel weapon given by Lord Vishnu.
Although the above story about the plot of Karinchamundi is more popular. There are many different stories about the origin and reign of Karinchamundi in many countries and communities.
It is believed that after the Asura assassination, the Goddess came to earth to punish the wicked and help the good people. Devi stayed in the land of Pandi and later traveled to the land of Kotak. Cheruparampan Karutha Kelan was the tribal elder of the small Payam mountain adjacent to Kotak land. One day, the old man returning from harvesting toddy saw Karinjamundi in fierce look, at a place called Kozthathavalam full of Koli trees. Seeing the giant shape, Kelan was scared and hide behind a tree. The goddess understood this and said that if you stay behind tree, I will come around the tree. The young man, who trembled with fear, called Karinchamundi and bowed down. Then the elder offered the toddy, flattened rice and malar in his hand to the goddess. Satisfied with this, the goddess wished to make this place my abode as well. For that, goddess went to Ashtamachal, to see the owner of the land. Thus Devi reached a place called Thirunettikal through Chamundi Kalll, Thorakad, Valiyapayam, Shantipuram, Alakode, Thondakunnu and Chattivayal. So when Karinjamundi reached a place called Kottathalachi Hill, she became angry at the deeds of the evil sorcerer Njeramban Moideen who was there. The goddess threw a huge rock from the mountain and destroyed the sorcerer and his family. Then the rock came rolling and rushed towards the Pulingom mosque, but Pottan God stopped it with his stick. Devi continued her journey from there, crossed the Pacheni River and prayed the Meenkulathappan and reached Payyannur Idacheri and visited Ashtamachal Tampuran. So Devi went to her favorite abode. Later from there Devi reached the family of Peruvannan at Tadikkadav, from there Peruvannan grand mother treated Devi with love, delighted with it. That night, the goddess appeared in Peruvannan’s dream and told Peruvannan to perform her Theyyam, according to which Karinchamundi performed wildly in Malanadu. The people of Chapiri, Mangad and Pudussery belonging to the Karimbala community and the descendants of Cheru Paramban Karutha Kelan are supposed to perform the kalash custom to the goddess.
Karinchamundi Theyya also has the title of Satya Paripalaka in the villages where Karinchamundi was worshiped in ancient times. It is said that Karinchamundi’s Theyya has proved many crimes committed in the village.
