Vairajathan
Vairajathan Theyyam is the most important among the Theyyas who belong to the category of warriors. Vairajathan Theyyam also has the name Veerabhadra. Vairajathan or Veerabhadra is the God born out of God Shiva’s anger to kill Daksha.
The legend about the birth of Vairajata Theyyam is as follows. One day Shiva’s wife Sati defied Shiva’s words and went to participate in the sacrifice performed by her own father Daksha. But Daksha mocked Goddess Sati in front of everyone who came to participate in the sacrifice without invitation. Sati Devi, extremely humiliated, committed suicide by jumping into the sacrificial fire. On hearing the news of the death of Goddess Sati, Lord Shiva could not contain his anger and grief and gave birth to the mighty Virabhadra from his own throne to kill Daksha. Virabhadra went to Daksha’s place of sacrifice and killed everyone in sight and smashed the place of sacrifice and killed Daksha on the head. Veerabhadra, having completed his purpose of incarnation, returned and reached the presence of Lord Shiva. Pleased with Veera Bhadra’s work, Lord Shiva sent Veera Bhadra to Earth for saving good people. The story of the same Veerabhadra is performed as Vairajathan Theyyam in Malanadu.
Vairajathan, who reached Malanad on earth, meets God Khethrapalakan from Kurumbranadu and God Vettaykkorumakan from Balusheri. There is also a story that later Vairajathan went to Allada Kindom along with Khethrapalakan and Vettaykkorumakan for Kolathiri King and set out for war to conquer Allada Kindom. During the war, Vairajata met a devotee named Maniyani at Poonthodatu and at his invitation Vairajathan stayed at the Kampikath in Cheruvathur. The god was pleased with the courtesy of Cheruvatur. Later Cheruvathur Veerabhadra temple was built and Vairajatan Theyyam performed there.
Vairajathan, a mighty warrior, was later placed under Thrikaripur temple and under Churuazham temple.
Vairajata’s Theyyam is also performed with extreme ferocity, reminiscent of the story of a warrior. Vairajathan Theyyam Vellatam is said to be Tattum Vellatam and Thattu vellattam reminds the story of Veerabhadran who killed Daksha. There is also a belief that the person who is hit by the weapon of Tattum Vellattam will die before the next year Vairajathan Theyyam.
Like Vairajata, Raktajata and Arthandan are the deities of the devas who sprung from Lord Shiva, who was enraged to kill Daksha.
