Muthappan Temple

Puthari Thiruvappana festival is conducted on 1^st or 2^nd of December and is considered as the first Thiruvappana of the temple year. It’s associated with the harvesting season of that region. The last Thiruvappana of the temple year is on 17^th or 18^th of October every year. The best period to visit is October-May.

Many people have a strong admiration towards the temple and the place where it is situated. Tourists appear in legion to this temple. Before entering the temple, people go down to the river and clean up themselves. The ritual enactment of both the characters of Sree Muthappan – Thiruvappana and Vellatam is performed daily early in the morning around 5.45 am to 8 am and in the evening around 6.30 pm. After the ritual is over, devotees tell their adversities to the god in its human form and the words Muthappan says brings great relief to the devotees, they say. Fishes are served as prasadam here which is again unique.

Info on the deity – Specific to the temple deity

Muthappan is believed to be the personification of two figures- Thiruvappana and Vellatam. Though Sree Muthappan is worshipped as a single deity, it actually represents an integrated form of two gods- Vishnu, the protector(with a fish-shaped crown) and Shiva, the destroyer (with a crescent-shaped crown). There are two bronze carved statues of dogs in the entrance of the temple symbolized as the bodyguards of the god. In fact, there are many dogs that are left blithe inside the temple and are considered to be holy as the history says that the Lord Muthappan was accompanied by a dog throughout his journey. Nobody is allowed to hurt or disturb them. An interesting  incident is also told enhancing the importance of the dogs inside the temple. Theyyam, a popular dance form of this temple that attracts tourists from all over the world with its charm is performed on a regular basis in this temple. Two members of the family who own this temple perform this dance. Few years ago, the temple authorities decided to give away few puppies belonging to the temple for some purposes. From that very day, the performers were not able to perform Sree Muthappan Theyyam. Only after the dogs were returned to the temple, Theyyam was performed properly they say. They believe that the incident happened to make the people realize the presence and the power of this benevolent protector Muthappan. But now, dogs and puppies are no longer accepted as offerings to the temple.