One of the popular deities in Kannur District is Muchilot Bhagavathi. Last ten years witnessed Muchilot Bhagavathi perumkaliyattams at Karivellur, Payyanur, Kunhimangalam, Valapattanam, Muyyam,Vellave, Karamel etc.There is more than 50 muchilottu Bhagavathy temples in kannur and Kasaragod district
Muchilottu Bhagavathy Legend
Muchilot Bhagavathi is the tutelary deity of the Vaniyas of North Malabar.The various legends on the origin of Muchilot Bhagavati seem to begin from the point that she was a Brahmin woman born in the mana called Maniyottu in the village of Peringellur, near Taliparamba.
The dominant story goes that following the end of her studies and before her betrothal, the "Peringellur Mootha Gurukkal" (a Brahmin, 'the Elder Teacher of Peringellur') and his disciples challenged the authority of the girl on Vedic matters. Rendered jealous by her wisdom, they asked the girl what the greatest pain and greatest pleasure were, she replied that they were, respectively, giving birth and love-making.
The dominant story goes that following the end of her studies and before her betrothal, the "Peringellur Mootha Gurukkal" (a Brahmin, 'the Elder Teacher of Peringellur') and his disciples challenged the authority of the girl on Vedic matters. Rendered jealous by her wisdom, they asked the girl what the greatest pain and greatest pleasure were, she replied that they were, respectively, giving birth and love-making.
The Gurukkal argued that one who had never indulged in love-making or given birth could not know so and thus challenged her virginity. After being expelled from her house, she took refuge in Shiva at the temple in Karivellur and promptly resolved to meet him through suicide.
Standing on a bed of burning coal, she asked a vāṇiya to pour coconut oil over her. She then returned to the world as a goddess by the blessing of lord shiva. While travelling in the earth she rested at the home of Muchilot padanair, who was a vāṇiya belonging to Muchilot clan and a soldier of kolathiri king.
Wife of muchilot padanair had an apparition of Sree Muchilot Bhagavathi as she was drawing water from the well. Afterwards, the pot that held the oil that burned the girl began to levitate.Next day the Muchilot padanayar saw the palm tree infront of his house dried. It is believed that the Devi made her presence visible to the Muchilodan Padanayar when he decided to cut the tree.
The Karanavar then also had a vision that the soul of the Virgin had been sent back by Lord Shiva to abide in him. They placed the goddess in a silver chest in the western chamber of the house.This is how the Muchilottu Bhaghavathy associated with the vāṇiya community. Muchilottu Vaniyan and others in his community started worshipping the goddess as their family deity. Thus the goddess came to be known as ‘Muchilottu Bhagavathi’.
In the Thottam pattu, songs in praise of gods, the Devi declares that she is always present at the western side of a Padanair’s house. “If this is the house of a Muchilottu Padanair, I am a divine virgin of Muchilottu,” says the goddess in the songs.
Local lore says that the first shrine dedicated to Muchilottu Bhagavathy (Adi Muchilottu kavu) came up at Karivelloor, where the young girl scholar took her own life. The old well where the goddess indicated her presence still exists on the temple premises. This was the place where the old ancestral house of the Padanair stood. The position of the well confirms that the well existed before the temple was built.
Wife of muchilot padanair had an apparition of Sree Muchilot Bhagavathi as she was drawing water from the well. Afterwards, the pot that held the oil that burned the girl began to levitate.Next day the Muchilot padanayar saw the palm tree infront of his house dried. It is believed that the Devi made her presence visible to the Muchilodan Padanayar when he decided to cut the tree.
The Karanavar then also had a vision that the soul of the Virgin had been sent back by Lord Shiva to abide in him. They placed the goddess in a silver chest in the western chamber of the house.This is how the Muchilottu Bhaghavathy associated with the vāṇiya community. Muchilottu Vaniyan and others in his community started worshipping the goddess as their family deity. Thus the goddess came to be known as ‘Muchilottu Bhagavathi’.
In the Thottam pattu, songs in praise of gods, the Devi declares that she is always present at the western side of a Padanair’s house. “If this is the house of a Muchilottu Padanair, I am a divine virgin of Muchilottu,” says the goddess in the songs.
Local lore says that the first shrine dedicated to Muchilottu Bhagavathy (Adi Muchilottu kavu) came up at Karivelloor, where the young girl scholar took her own life. The old well where the goddess indicated her presence still exists on the temple premises. This was the place where the old ancestral house of the Padanair stood. The position of the well confirms that the well existed before the temple was built.
Minor deities at muchilottu Kaavu
The shrine of Narambil Bhagavathy can be seen at all Muchilottu temples, along with other deities. They include Kannangad Bhagavathy, Puliyoor Kali, Puliyoor Kannan and Mahavishnu who are belived to be close pals of the goddess.Click here for Theyyam Calendar 2022-2023
Famous muchilottu Bhagavathy temples ( Kaavu)
- Kannur Malur Vengakandi Muchilot Bhagavathy Temple
- Kannur Mattannur Kallur Muchilot Bhagavathy Temple
- Mattannur Chavasseri Mannora Mahadalam Muchilottu Kavu
- Thaliparamba Chuzhali Muchilottu Bhagavathy Temple
- Mattannur Kodolipram Muchilottu Bhagavathy Temple
- Kannur Panoor Kootteri Muchilot Bhagavathy Kavu
- Iritty Punnad Muchilottu Bhagavathy Temple
- Kannur Kizhunna Sree Muchilot Bhagavathy Temple
- Kuthuparambu Kottayampoyyil Kolavu Muchilottu Kavu
- Mattannur Kummanam Puthiyaparambath Muchillottu Kavu
- Mattannur Kavumbadi Pulimbilakkandi Muchilottu Kavu
- Peravur Thondiyil Muchilottu Bhagavathy Kshethram
- Kannur Kuthuparambu Pathiriyad Muchilottu Bhagavathy Kavu
- Kannur Kuttiattur Kulangara Puthiyakavu Muchilottu Kavu
- Kannur Sreekandapuram Parippayi Muchilot Bhagavathy Temple
- Kannur Kuveri Sree Muchilot Bhagavathy Temple
- Mattannur Malur Kanhileri Pothiyalkandi Padinhatta Muchilottu Kavu
- Kannur Koodali Muchilot Bhagavathy Kavu
- Kannur Valapattanam Muchilottu kavu
- Kannur Mattannur Thillankeri Kavumbadi Pulimbilakandi Muchilot Kavu
- Kalliasseri Anchampeedika Vattakkeel Muchilottu Kavu
- Payyannur Thayineri Muchilottu Perumkaliyattam
- Kuthuparambu Neerveli Attinkara Puthiyakavil Muchilottu Bhagavathy Kshethram
- Kannur Maruthayi Muchilottu Bhagavathy kavu
- Kannur Madai Sree Muchilot Bhagavathy Kavu
- Kannur Vengara Sree Muchilot Bhagavathy Kavu
- Mattannur Nellyadu Vattoli Muchilottu bhagavaathy kshethram
- Kannur Vaikkalasseri Raamath Puthiyakavu Muchilot Bhagavathy Kavu
- Chokli Nidumbram Sree Muchilot Bhagavathy Kavu
- Kannur Thalassery Kolasseri Nambally Sree Muchilot Kavu
- Kannur Pallikkunnu Kunnav Sree Muchilot Bhagavathy Temple
- Kannur Parassini Naniyoor Nambram Sree Muchilot Bhagavathy Temple
- Kannur Kannapuram Areekulangara Muchilot Bhagavathy Kavu
- Kannur Kadannappally Sree Muchilot Bhagavathy Kavu
- Kannur Kannapuram Madathumpady Sree Muchilot Bhagavathy Temple
- Cherupazhasi Kandanarpoyil Muchilot Bhagavathy Kavu
- Mettadi Muchilot Bhagavathy Temple
- Kasargod Thrikaripur Sree Muchilot Bhagavathy Temple
- Kannur Kuthuparamba Shankaranellor Pazhedam Muchilot Bhagavathy Kavu
- Kannur Kunhimangalam Puratheruvath Muchilot Kavu
- Chala Aattadappa Sree Muchilot Bhagavathy Kavu
- Kannur Vellora Muchilot Kavu
- Kannur Taliparamba Kurumathur Sree Muchilot Kavu
- Kannur Mathamangalam Eramam Muchilot Bhagavathy Kavu
- Kannur Anjarakkandy Kunnirikka Muchilottu Bhagavathy Kavu
- Kasargod Palakunnu Tirur Karipody Muchilot Bhagavathy Kavu
- Kannur Thaliparamba Keezhattur Muchilottu Bhagavathy Kavu
- Kannur Mathamangalam Muchilot Bhagavathy Kavu
- Cherukunnu Kavinisseri Muchilottu Bhagavathy Kavu
- Kannur Karivellur Sree Muchilot Bhagavathy Kavu
- Kannur Chavasseri Paalora Muchilottu Bhagavathy Kavu
- Kannur Elayavoor Muchilottu Kavu
- Kannur Nellunni Vattappoyil Muchilottu Bhagavathy Kavu
- Kannur Irikkur Chooliyad Muchilottu Bhagavathy Temple
- Thalassery Ponnyam Pulliyodi Muchilottu Bhagavathy Temple
Reference :- Wikipedia & Manorama