Maritheyyams are the Theyams who go to houses in the surrounding areas of Madai Kavu(temple) in Kannur district on the sixteenth day of the Malayalam month of Karkataka (28th day in some places) . Marikalian, Mamarikalian, Marikalachi, Mamayakalachi, Marikulian and Mamayakulian are togather known as Mari Theiyams.
The most popular Theyyam Mari Theyyams, which are started performed according to astrological judgment to ward off the evils of Shani that afflicted the country in the month of Karkataka, which was considered as the worst month. Maritheyyam belongs to the category of Theyyam that cure diseases.
Seven deities traveled in a ship from the land of Arya, but without deities knowledge evils boarded the ship. When we reached the middle of the sea, there was a storm and rain. When the deities realized that the evils had boarded the ship, they landed them on the shore of the Malanad. With the arrival of the evils, great calamities began to grip the Malanad. All the goods were infected. The daily pooja in the temples was also stopped. Thiruvarkad Bhagwati(god) of Madai Kavu was also affected by devil. When met the astrologers and put the problem, it became clear that only Bhattian Polla could solve it. Bhattian Polla said that one hundred and eighteen evils have affected the country. As a solution, it was decided to perform Maritheyyam and sing the Mari song. Out of the hundred and eighteen Saturns, some of the Malaya community, some of the Vannan community, and some of the Pulaya community can only be moved. So with the blessings of Lord Chirakal who was ruling the country at that time and Cheramal Perumal who was in charge of the Madai Kavu, according to the suggestion of Bhatyan Polla, Mari Theyam started to perform in the Malanad.
It is believed that the Theyyas, which are starting from the Madai Kavu area to eliminate the evils, enter the houses and come down to remove the Shani evils that have affected the country and the locals. The last part of Maritheiyam also includes the ceremony of throwing the evils that have been captured from house to house into the nearby river or sea.
All Maritheiyams wear cloth made of palm from the bottom to the hair. While Kaliyan Theiyam and Kalichi Theiyam have a simple face art, the remaining four Theiyams have face mask. Thudis and chengilas are the instruments used in Maritheiyams.
