Raktachamundi is a Theyyam who is the most important of the Mother Gods in the Theyyam universe. Raktachamundi is the clan god of the Moovari community. Rakta Chamundi is performed in most of the caves between Valapattanam river in the south and Kumbala in the north. Rakta Chamundi is also performed with Vishnu Murthy in Mundya Kavus. Rakta Chamundi is also called Rakteshwari.
Goddess Chamundi actually originated from Goddess Parvati to kill Asuras Chandan and Mundan. After Chanda Munda assassination, Chamundi reappeared several times later to kill cruel Asuras. Rakta Chamundi is Chamundi who appeared when Goddess Parvati fought with a demon named Rakta Bhijan.
The origin of the name Chamundi is derived from the meaning of Goddess who killed the evil and powerful Asura brothers named Chandan and Mundan. Shumbha Nishumbhan, who had received the boon from Lord Brahma that only women could kill him, was destroying all the three worlds, while Chandamundan was their servant and joined in all the evil deeds. In this, Scared Devas approached Goddess Parvati, and Goddess Parvati, overwhelmed by the grief of the gods, prepared for Nigraha.
Kali, the fierce idol, arose from the goddess Parvati’s devine eyes, who incarnated for the asuras death. In the fierce battle Kali Killed Shumba and Nishumbhas. The Chandamundas were attracted by the beauty of Goddess Parvati. The Chandamundas came with a huge army to subdue the mighty goddess. Kali enraged at this, fought them. As the battle raged on, the Chandamundans fled and hid in the underworld, unable to withstand Kali’s power. But Kali followed them and reached the underworld and killed both of them. Thus Kali, who killed the Chandamundas, was called Devi Chamundi by Parvati.
The story of Rakta Chamundi is related to the story of Rakta Bheejasura in Devi Bhagavatam book Panchamaskandha chapter. Raktabhijasura was the son of the Asura Krodhavadi. Rakta Bhijasura, who was extremely strong and mighty, was the reincarnation of the evil Bhasmasura. Rakta Bhijasura performed penance on Lord Shiva to get the boon to expand his empire and conquer the three worlds. Lord Shiva appeared after severe penance. Pleased with the devotion of Rakta Bheejasura, Lord Shiva allowed him to ask for the boon he wanted. Rakta Bhijasura asked for a strange boon that every drop of blood that falls from his body should be born a thousand powerful Asuras(deamon). Lord Shiva blessed Raktabhijan with the boon he requested.
Rakta Bhijan, having obtained the boon, wreaked havoc in the three worlds. Unable to bear the brutality of Rakta Bhijan who invaded and subjugated the Triloka, the gods approached Goddess Parvati for help. Seeing the grief of the gods, Goddess Parvati fought with Rakta Bhijan, but whenever Rakta Bhijan was injured in the battle, thousands of Asuras arose. Goddess Chamundi was reborn from the angry Goddess Parvati and Goddess Parvati asked Chamundi to drink the monthi so that all the blood falling from the body of Rakta Bhijan does not fall on the ground.
Following her mother’s command, Chamundi opened her mouth and spread her tongue on the earth. Goddess Parvati lifted the head of Rakta Bhijan and placed it on Chamundi’s tongue. Chamundi drank all of the blood without falling on the ground. And so the life of the raktabijan ended. So Chamundi drank the blood of Rakta Bhijasura. The name Rakta(Blood) Chamundi came up. It is Rakta Chamundi in this story who is performed up by Rakta Chamundi Theyyam in Malanad.
There is a story behind how Rakta Chamundi came to the highlands and became the clan god of the Moovaari community.
In the past, when the entire land of Kolathu Kindom was suffering from hunger and poverty, Udayavarman, the king of Kolathu, sat down to chant in Kashi. Hearing the Lord’s prayer, God Annapurneswari, six Illathammas and Andar Vith reached Malanad in a wooden boat. Rakta Chamundi also came to help Annapurneswari.
When the ship reached the place called Ayiram Thengu, the local people there honored the goddesses by offering Pujas. But while disembarking, Chamundi saw a group of people crippled by hunger. Raktachamundi was heartbroken when he saw them eating pooja flowers to satisfy their hunger. Immediately Chamundi lit a big stove and made a pot with his mantra power and put fresh rice in it. Mother herself served rice to the starving poor with a golden spoon.
The community that ate flowers(Poo) then came to be known as Poowaris and later Moowaris. On that day Rakta Chamundi, who was served on that day and changed the hunger, became the god of the Moowaris.
Raktachamundi is the main deity in all the four important kazakas of the Moowaris community. While performing the Rakta Chamundi Theyam in Moowaris Kavus, there is a special ritual of taking pot and rice as a reminder of the story of the goddess who relieved our hunger by giving us rice. When Rakta Chamundi Theyam descends, the Moowaris community takes pot and rice and offers pradikshan to Kavu, which is known chembu chor edukkal.
The four main Kavus of the Mourris are Ayiram thengu, Neelamkai, Kuttikara and Keezhekara.
Rakta Chamundi is known by many names including the name of the village where it stands or the name of the Kavus. Various names of Rakta Chamundi with the addition of village names or Kavu’s name are Ayiram thengu Chamundi, Periyattu Chamundi, Edapara Chamundi, Karail Chamundi, Balicheri Chamundi, Plavatukka Chamundi, Veera Chamundi, Kattacheri Chamundi. Rakta Chamundi is also known as Rakteshwari, Gana Chamundi and Rudhira Chamundi.
There is another story behind the coming of Rakta Chamundi to the Malanadu. That legend is related to the story of Narasimha Murthy, Vishnu Murthy.
The story is that Rakta Chamundi came to Neleswaram a place in Allada Nadu from Mangalapuram along with Churika(a weapon like sword), where Narasimha Murthy resides, who was given to Palanthai Kannan by his Mother.
There is a custom of performing Rakta Chamundi along with the mundyas performed Vishnu murti and Thichamundi theyyam.
Rakta Chamundi Theyam is usually worn by people belonging to the Malaya community. But in some places people from Vannan, Monnottan, Panan and Pulayan communities also tie Rakta Chamundi.
Rakta Chamundi Theyam is very beautiful to look at. Rakta Chamundi has the same hair and makeup as Madail Chamundi.
