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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Short description|Vedic Hindu deity}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}Muchilot [[Bhagavati|Bhagavathi]] Is The Tutelary Deity Of [[Bania (caste)|Vaniyar]] Community In [[North Malabar]].
{{verbosity|date=January 2020}}[[File:Muchilot Bhagavathy.jpg|thumb|]]
[[File:Muchilot_Bhagavathy_@Nambram_Sree_Muchilot_Bhagavathy_Kshethram.jpg|thumb|500x500px|''<small>Muchilot Bhagavathi</small>'']]
[[File:Muchilottu Bhagavathi.jpg|thumb|270px|Muchilot Bhagavathi]]
There Are 108 Muchilot Temples Spread Across Northern Kerala Resembling The [[108 Shiva Temples]] Mentioned In The Shivalaya Stothram. Muchilot Bhagavathi‚ Who Is Adorned With All Beauty, Is Like A Goddess Of Beauty And Is Widely Considered The Most Elaborate And Gorgeous Theyyam. Being In Swatika Bhava, Muchilot Bhagavathi Has Only Very Gentle Movements. Anna Dhanam (Serving Food) Is Very Important In Muchilot Bhagavathi Temples During The Kaliyattam Festival.
'''Muchilot Bhagavathi''' is the [[tutelary deity]] of Vaniya Nair/[[Vaniyan]]<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> community of North Malabar.


==Legends==
==Legends==
Most scholars are of the unanimous opinion that she was a Brahmin virgin born in '"Rayaramangalath Mana'" 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> Those were the days after the betrothal of the virgin renowned for her unfathomable Vedic knowledge. It so happened that "Peringellur Mootha Gurukkal" (a Brahmin) and his disciples challenged the "Naduvazhi", on the request of the "Naduvazhi" the Brahmin virgin took part in the "Naduvazhi". The mesmerizing arguments and counter arguments darted by the virgin against "Mootha Gurukal" and his disciples stunned them and so they were envious of her. Being very shrewd and deceptive, they meditated to trap her somehow.
Various legends on the origin of Muchilot Bhagavati begin with her as a [[Brahmin]] woman born in Maniyottu [[Illam|Mana]], a [[Illam|house]] associated with the highest caste in the village of Peringellur, near [[Taliparamba]], Kerala.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theyyamcalendar.com/history/muchilot-bhagavathi |title=Muchilot Bhagavathi Theyyam &amp;#124; THEYYAKKOLAM |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 }}</ref>


So they asked her two questions: "Which is the most excruciating pain?" "What is the most ecstatic pleasure?". To which she innocently answered, "Pain of a mother in labour is the most excruciating pain; and the pleasure of [[love-making]] is the most ecstatic pleasure".<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> They distorted her answers stating that woman having no such mundane experiences could never answer those questions and so she was not virgin. The issue ended up in her excommunication. The innocent and fragile virgin being struck by the arrows of deception from the Brahmins took asylum at the scared feet of "[[Payyanur]] Perumal", "Karivellurappan" and "Rayaramangalath Bhagavathi", with a heart full of woes. She adored them and offered all the despairs and throes of her heart before their divine presence and resolved to immolate herself.
The popular oral lore states that following the end of her studies and before her betrothal, the elder teacher of Peringellur (Peringellur Mootha Gurukkal, a Brahmin) and his disciples challenged her authority on [[Historical Vedic religion|Vedic matters]].She defeated them in all kind of debates and afterwards  jealous of 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=Karipody Thirur Muchilot , Muchilot Bhagavathi |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 then challenged her virginity, arguing that she could not know this without experiencing it. She was expelled from her house and took refuge at the temple in [[Karivellur]] and promptly resolved to meet the great god [[Shiva]] through suicide. While standing on a bed of burning coals, a member of the [[Vaishya|vāṇiya]] caste  was passing through and was carrying thuthika(Oil pot) for supplying oil to the rayaramangalam temple,  She requested him to pour coconut oil over her and cause her [[Death by burning|immolation]]. With the blessing of Shiva, she returned to the world as a goddess and began wandering the earth.<ref name="History of muchilot Bhagavathi" />


As she was preparing her pyre, a "Muchilot Padanayar"<ref name="History of muchilot Bhagavathi">History of Muchilotu Bhagavathi http://www.thekeralatemples.com/templeinfo/bhagavathy/karivellur_muchilottukavu.htm</ref> happened to reach there. On her request, he poured oil from a pot into the fire with much reluctance.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://priyeshmb.hpage.co.in/muchilottu-bhagavathi_44491007.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=30 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082807/http://priyeshmb.hpage.co.in/muchilottu-bhagavathi_44491007.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Thus she immolated herself and her soul departed to [[Lord Shiva]]. With a fraternal love, [[Lord Shiva]] sent her back to the earth with some boons, a golden fan, jewelry and various weapons to redeem the world. The Padanayar having seen the immolation of the virgin was full of grief and kept "Thuthika"(the empty pot) in the "Padinjattakam"(Pooja room), Padanayar's wife had an apparition vision of Sree Muchilot Bhagavathi, as she was drawing water from the well. Meanwhile "Thuthika"(the empty pot) kept in the "Padinjattakam"(Pooja room) started tossing in the air. In an astrological speculation the Karnavar had an apocalypse that the soul of the virgin had been sent back by [[Lord Shiva]] to abide in him. The goddess whom the Padanayar places in a silver tabernacle in the "Padinjattakam", to worship began to be known as Sree Muchilot Bhagavathi.<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>
According to the narratives, the Muchilot Padanayar—a [[Vaishya|Vaniya]] of the Muchilot clan and a soldier of King [[Kolathiri]]—and his wife, Padanayathi, were able to feel her presence.<ref name="History of muchilot Bhagavathi">History of Muchilotu Bhagavathi http://www.thekeralatemples.com/templeinfo/bhagavathy/karivellur_muchilottukavu.htm</ref> The wife of Padanayar was drawing water from the housewell and saw an apparition of Muchilot Bhagavathi in the well. Afterwards, the pot which held the oil that burned the girl began to levitate. The next day, Muchilot Padanayar saw that the palm tree in front of his house had died; when he decided to cut the tree down to make weapons, the goddess made her presence visible to him. Padanayar then 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>{{better source needed|date=January 2024}} therefore being associated with the vāṇiya community.{{explain|date=January 2024}} Muchilottu Vaniyan and others in his community started worshipping the goddess as their family deity. Thus the goddess came to be known as Muchilot Bhagavathi.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Travel Agency, Best of Homestay, Temple &amp; Theyyam Tour Packages |url=http://old.travelkannur.com/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=old.travelkannur.com |language=en-US}}</ref>


Some of her devotees believe that the goddess bloomed from the sweat of [[Lord Shiva]] shed at the time of his stupendous dance on the Mount Kailasa. Whereas some others believe her to be a deity incarnated on the earth with a "prasadam" to purgate the world of all kinds of incurable diseases, or a goddess sent to earth in the form of flame to annihilate all the evils on the earth.
But according to the holy manuscript (Pattola) of Muchilot Bhagavathi, Muchilot Bhagavathi is the kaliyuga avatar of Sita devi of treta yuga, Maya Devi of Dwarapa era, and Gaiyatri Devi who appeared before Viswamitra Maharishi. Lord Shiva created this powerful goddess for the wellbeing of humans and sent her to the Earth in a golden chariot called "Otta thanden". While travelling on the Earth, she rested at the [[Architecture of Kerala#Padippura|padippura]] of Muchilot Pada Nair, who was a soldier belonging to the Muchilot clan among the [[Vaishya|vāṇiyas]].<ref name="History of muchilot Bhagavathi"/>
 
There are more than 108 Muchilot temples spread across North Kerala, most of them in [[Kannur]] District.<ref name="old.travelkannur.com">{{Cite web |title=Travel Agency, Best of Homestay, Temple &amp; Theyyam Tour Packages |url=http://old.travelkannur.com/ |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=old.travelkannur.com |language=en-US}}</ref> Among these 108 temples the first seven temples are considered as "Aroodam" or Most revered.


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{commonscat-inline|Theyyam}}
* {{citation |url=http://www.vengara.com/ |title=Vengara}}
* {{citation | url = http://www.pernekshetra.com/ | title = Shree Perne Muchilot Bhagavathi Kshetra}}, Official Website
* {{citation |url=http://www.kaliyattam.com/ |title=Kaliyattam}}  
* {{citation | url = http://www.vengara.com/ | title = Vengara}}, the Land of Theyyam.
* {{citation |url=http://www.theyyamcalendar.com/ |title=Theyyam Calendar}}
* {{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:Theyyam]]
[[Category:Arts of Kerala]]
[[Category:Arts of Kerala]]
[[Category:Hindu goddesses]]
[[Category:Hindu goddesses]]

Latest revision as of 12:44, 22 March 2026


Muchilot Bhagavathi Is The Tutelary Deity Of Vaniyar Community In North Malabar.

Muchilot Bhagavathi

There Are 108 Muchilot Temples Spread Across Northern Kerala Resembling The 108 Shiva Temples Mentioned In The Shivalaya Stothram. Muchilot Bhagavathi‚ Who Is Adorned With All Beauty, Is Like A Goddess Of Beauty And Is Widely Considered The Most Elaborate And Gorgeous Theyyam. Being In Swatika Bhava, Muchilot Bhagavathi Has Only Very Gentle Movements. Anna Dhanam (Serving Food) Is Very Important In Muchilot Bhagavathi Temples During The Kaliyattam Festival.

Legends[edit | edit source]

Various legends on the origin of Muchilot Bhagavati begin with her as a Brahmin woman born in Maniyottu Mana, a house associated with the highest caste in the village of Peringellur, near Taliparamba, Kerala.[1]

The popular oral lore states that following the end of her studies and before her betrothal, the elder teacher of Peringellur (Peringellur Mootha Gurukkal, a Brahmin) and his disciples challenged her authority on Vedic matters.She defeated them in all kind of debates and afterwards jealous of 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.[2] The Gurukkal then challenged her virginity, arguing that she could not know this without experiencing it. She was expelled from her house and took refuge at the temple in Karivellur and promptly resolved to meet the great god Shiva through suicide. While standing on a bed of burning coals, a member of the vāṇiya caste was passing through and was carrying thuthika(Oil pot) for supplying oil to the rayaramangalam temple, She requested him to pour coconut oil over her and cause her immolation. With the blessing of Shiva, she returned to the world as a goddess and began wandering the earth.[3]

According to the narratives, the Muchilot Padanayar—a Vaniya of the Muchilot clan and a soldier of King Kolathiri—and his wife, Padanayathi, were able to feel her presence.[3] The wife of Padanayar was drawing water from the housewell and saw an apparition of Muchilot Bhagavathi in the well. Afterwards, the pot which held the oil that burned the girl began to levitate. The next day, Muchilot Padanayar saw that the palm tree in front of his house had died; when he decided to cut the tree down to make weapons, the goddess made her presence visible to him. Padanayar then 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,[4][better source needed] therefore being associated with the vāṇiya community.[further explanation needed] Muchilottu Vaniyan and others in his community started worshipping the goddess as their family deity. Thus the goddess came to be known as Muchilot Bhagavathi.[5]

But according to the holy manuscript (Pattola) of Muchilot Bhagavathi, Muchilot Bhagavathi is the kaliyuga avatar of Sita devi of treta yuga, Maya Devi of Dwarapa era, and Gaiyatri Devi who appeared before Viswamitra Maharishi. Lord Shiva created this powerful goddess for the wellbeing of humans and sent her to the Earth in a golden chariot called "Otta thanden". While travelling on the Earth, she rested at the padippura of Muchilot Pada Nair, who was a soldier belonging to the Muchilot clan among the vāṇiyas.[3]

There are more than 108 Muchilot temples spread across North Kerala, most of them in Kannur District.[6] Among these 108 temples the first seven temples are considered as "Aroodam" or Most revered.

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Muchilot Bhagavathi Theyyam &#124; THEYYAKKOLAM". Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  2. "Karipody Thirur Muchilot , Muchilot Bhagavathi". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 30 October 2013.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 History of Muchilotu Bhagavathi http://www.thekeralatemples.com/templeinfo/bhagavathy/karivellur_muchilottukavu.htm
  4. "Muchilottu Bhagavathi - ॐ-Narath Shree Muchilottu Bhagavathi Kshethram-ॐ". sites.google.com.
  5. "Travel Agency, Best of Homestay, Temple & Theyyam Tour Packages". old.travelkannur.com. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  6. "Travel Agency, Best of Homestay, Temple & Theyyam Tour Packages". old.travelkannur.com. Retrieved 3 January 2024.

External links[edit | edit source]