This variety of Theyyam, the ritual dance performance, is presented
during the night.
An offering to Lord Vishnu’s incarnation- Narasimhavathra – part lion
part man- this ritual dance is an awe inspiring one and it is believed
that the performer of this gets possessed by the spirit of the god.
Thee Chamundi Theyyam performance is based on the mythological story
of Hiranyakashipu, Narasimha and his disciple Prahlada.
Hiranyakashipu (the king of Asuras), is a
demon in Hindu myths. His younger brother,
Hiranyaksha was killed by Vishnu, during his
Varaha incarnation. Enraged at this, he
decided to kill Vishnu by acquiring magical
powers from Brahma by performing a penance
for him. At last he succeeded in securing a
boon from Brahma that he would not die on
earth or in space, or in fire or water, not
during the day or night, not inside or
outside and not by the hand of a human, god,
animal or any other animate or inanimate
species.
Hiranyakashipu is father of Prahlada (an
ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu). The asura
king, whose wish is to kill Lord Vishnu tries
a number of times to burn Prahlada alive.
Finally the Narashimh
a, the incarnation of
Lord Vishnu with a lion head kills
Hirayakashipu.