തീച്ചാമുണ്ഡീ

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 Narashimha, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu with a lion head kills Hirayakashipu.