Theyyam:
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Theyyam is a popular ritual form of dance worship in Kerala and Karnataka, India.
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It consisted of thousand-year-old traditions, rituals and customs.
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The people consider Theyyam itself as a channel to a god and they thus seek blessings from Theyyam.
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Each Theyyam is a man or a woman who attained divine status by performing heroic deeds or by leading a virtuous life
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Most Theyyams are believed to be the incarnations of Shiva or Shakti (the consort of Shiva). Or they have strong associations with these principal deities of Hinduism.
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There are over 400 theyyams. Some of these are very important.
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Major Types are:
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Vishnumoorthi:
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There are only two Vaishnava Theyyams – Daivatar and Vishnumoorthi.
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These Theyyams are believed to be the incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
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This Theyyam narrates the story of Palanthai Kannan who was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu.
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Gulikan
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Gulikan is believed to be an incarnation of Yama, the Hindu god of death and justice.
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According to Indian mythology, Gulikan was one of the most important warriors of Lord Shiva.
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Kuttichathan:
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It is the theyyam of Bhrahmin caste.
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Kuttichathan theyyam is considered to have originated for Lord Shiva in Vishnu Maaya.
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