Thayi Paradevatha or the Valiya Thamburatti is the supreme goddess of the mother deities. In North Kerala Thayi Paradevata Theyyam performed in most of the Kavus(Temples). Thayi Paradevata is one of the six Theyyas who originated from Lord Shiva’s third eye. Thayi Paradevata is the fierce goddess who killed Dharikasura, who had the strength of seven elephants.
The plot of Thayi Paradevatha is as follows. Devi Sati, who was actually Lord Shiva’s wife, ignored Lord Shiva’s objection and went to her father Daksha’s place of Yaga. But Daksha brutally insulted Goddess Sati at the place of Yaga. Humiliated, Sati could not bear the grief and committed suicide by jumping into the Yaga fire. After the death of Goddess Sati, Lord Shiva became enraged by swinging the Maha Tandavam and created Bhadrakali and Veera Bhadra. According to Shiva order, Bhadrakali went to Daksha’s place of Yaga, destroyed the entire place of Yaga, beheaded the yaksha and threw it into the Yaga fire. After killing Daksha, Lord Shiva settled Bhadrakali near Kailasa. Later, during the Devasura war, Bhadrakali reincarnated to kill Darikasura. After fighting for seven consecutive days, on the eighth day, the goddess killed Darikan, who had the strength of seven elephants, by sliting the throat with her left hand and drank his blood. Having completed the goal of incarnation, Lord Shiva sent the goddess to earth for the welfare of the people. Later, Paramashiva divided Kolathu land into four parts – Tiruvarkad Madai Kav in the north, Kalarivatukkal in the south, Mamanikunn in the east, and Cherukunnu Annapurneswari temple in the west and gave Kolathu land to Bhadrakali. Thent Bhadrakali became the goddess of Kolatu land.
People from the Vannan community perform the Thayi Paradevata Theyyam. With big crown made of bamboo and decorated with red and black cloth, this Theyyam stands out visually from other Theyyams. This Bhagavati is also known as Bhadrakali, Thai and Kalariyal Bhagavathi.
