Naga(Snake) worship is very important in Indian worship. Like Mother Gods worship, Theyyam also have a dominant place in Naga worship. It is believed that Naga worship is good for disease cure, child benefit and past birth sin moksha. Even in Kavus(temple) where Naga deities are not associated with them, there is a naga position next to the Kavu. In such kavs, at the time of lighting the lamp in the evening, the lamp is also lit in the Nagasthan.
Nagakanni is an important theyam associated with Naga worship. This Theyam is also known as Naga Kanyaka and Nageni. In most of the swarupas of North Malabar, the naga kanni theyam is tied. Karipal Nagakavu and Edanad Nagakavu are famous Nagakavus in Kannur district. This theyam is performed by people belonging to the Vannan community
In ancient times, there was a belief that the destruction of snakes or the hatching of snakes’ eggs is a great sin and if such happens, the offspring will be destroyed. As a remedy, there was a custom of tying the Nagakanni Theyyam as a prayer.
Apart from the Nagakanni Nagathan, Nagapothi and Nagaraja are some examples of Naga deities.
