Muchilot Bhagavathi

2022-05-19T16:06:39Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2019}}
{{verbosity|date=January 2020}}[[File:Muchilot Bhagavathy.jpg|thumb|]]
[[File:Muchilottu Bhagavathi.jpg|thumb|270px|Muchilot Bhagavathi]]
'''Muchilot Bhagavathi''' is the [[tutelary deity]] of the [[Vaishya|Vaniyas]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dutchinkerala.com/article19.php?id=06|title=Dutch in Kerala - Glimpses of World History through Kerala and Dutch|website=dutchinkerala.com}}</ref> of North Malabar. Muchilot Bhagavathi is also worshipped by [[namboodiri|Nambūdiri]]s of the Pulimpi [[Illam]] as ''Vīzhala Bhagavati<ref>{{Cite web |title=Travel Agency, Best of Homestay, Temple & Theyyam Tour Packages |url=http://old.travelkannur.com/ |access-date=2022-03-16 |website=old.travelkannur.com |language=en-US}}</ref>'' and as ''Maññaḷamma'' by some Adiyodis..

==Legends==
The various legends on the origin of Muchilot Bhagavati seem to begin from the point that she was a Brahmin woman born in the [[Illam|''mana'']] called ''Maniyottu'' in the village of Peringellur, near [[Taliparamba]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theyyamcalendar.com/history/muchilot-bhagavathi |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2013-10-30 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101042637/http://www.theyyamcalendar.com/history/muchilot-bhagavathi |archivedate=2013-11-01 |df= }}</ref> They subsequently diverge.

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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.karipodymuchilot.com/muchilotBhagavathi.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=30 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061801/http://www.karipodymuchilot.com/muchilotBhagavathi.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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 [[Vaishya|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 reseted at the [[padippura]] of Muchilot padanair who was a [[Vaishya|vāṇiya]] belonging to Muchilot clan and a soldier of [[kolathiri]] king <ref name="History of muchilot Bhagavathi">History of Muchilotu Bhagavathi http://www.thekeralatemples.com/templeinfo/bhagavathy/karivellur_muchilottukavu.htm</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/narathsreemuchilottubhagavathi/muchilottu-bhagavathi|title=Muchilottu Bhagavathi - ॐ-Narath Shree Muchilottu Bhagavathi Kshethram-ॐ|website=sites.google.com}}</ref>This is how the Muchilottu Bhaghavathy associated with the [[Vaishya|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’.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commonscat-inline|Theyyam}}
* {{citation | url = http://www.pernekshetra.com/ | title = Shree Perne Muchilot Bhagavathi Kshetra}}, Official Website
* {{citation | url = http://www.vengara.com/ | title = Vengara}}, the Land of Theyyam.
* {{citation | url = http://www.kaliyattam.com/ | title = Kaliyattam}}: Theyyam Images, History, Kaav.
* {{citation | url = http://www.theyyamcalendar.com/ | title = Theyyam calendar}}, including images.

[[Category:Theyyam]]
[[Category:Arts of Kerala]]
[[Category:Hindu goddesses]]

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Muchilot Bhagavathi