Parassinikadavu Sree Muthappan Temple
പരശ്ശിനിക്കടവ് ശ്രീ മുത്തപ്പൻ ക്ഷേത്രം
The most famous Theyyam temple in Kerala — the only shrine where Theyyam is performed daily, year-round. Muthappan's temple on the banks of the Valapattanam River is open to all castes and religions, making it unique in Hindu tradition.
Andalur Kavu
അണ്ടല്ലൂർ കാവ്
One of the most ancient and prominent Thiyya community temples in Kerala — famous for its seven-day Kaliyattam festival where the Ramayana is uniquely enacted through Theyyam performances.
Madayi Kavu (Thiruvarkadu Bhagavathi Temple)
മാടായി കാവ് (തിരുവർകാട്ട് ഭഗവതി ക്ഷേത്രം)
The mother of all Bhadrakali temples in North Kerala — a 2000-year-old shrine with deep connections to the Mushika dynasty, the Kolathunadu kings, and the warrior traditions of Malabar.
Kunnathoor Padi
കുന്നത്തൂർ പാടി
The sacred Aroodam (primary seat) of Sri Muthappan — where the annual month-long Kaliyattam draws massive crowds and is considered the most important Muthappan festival outside Parassinikadavu.
Kunnavu Sree Muchilottu Bhagavathi Temple
കുന്നവ് ശ്രീ മുചിലോട്ട് ഭഗവതി ക്ഷേത്രം
The most famous among the 109 Muchilottu Bhagavathi temples in Kannur — the primary seat of worship for the goddess who was persecuted for her knowledge and returned with divine power.
Karivellur Sree Durga Bhagavathi Temple
കരിവെള്ളൂർ ശ്രീ ദുർഗ്ഗ ഭഗവതി ക്ഷേത്രം
Host of the Perumkaliyattam — one of the grandest Theyyam festivals in North Kerala, spanning several days with dozens of Theyyam forms performed in succession.
Ezhom Sree Puthiya Bhagavathi Temple
ഏഴോം ശ്രീ പുതിയ ഭഗവതി ക്ഷേത്രം
A prominent temple in the eastern highland region of Kannur — known for its annual Kaliyattam that showcases Theyyam forms closely connected to the tribal and forest traditions of the Western Ghats foothills.
Nileshwaram Theyyam Centres
നീലേശ്വരം തെയ്യം കേന്ദ്രങ്ങൾ
Nileshwaram in Kasargod is one of the densest concentrations of Theyyam performance sites in Kerala — with dozens of kavus, tharavadus, and temples hosting performances throughout the season.
Neeliyar Kottam (Mangattuparamba)
നീലിയാർ കോട്ടം (മങ്ങാട്ടുപറമ്പ്)
A 20-acre sacred grove in tropical jungle surroundings — the abode of Neeliyar Bhagavathi (Kottathamma), unique for its roofless sanctum and year-round Theyyam performances. One of the most atmospheric Theyyam sites in Kerala.
Cherukunnu Annapoorneswari Temple
ചെറുകുന്ന് അന്നപൂർണ്ണേശ്വരി ക്ഷേത്രം
A celebrated North Malabar temple dedicated to Goddess Annapoorneswari, known for its annual Kaliyattam festival that draws large crowds from across the region.
Payyanur Subramanya Temple
പയ്യന്നൂർ സുബ്രഹ്മണ്യ ക്ഷേത്രം
An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Subramanya in the heart of Payyannur town, renowned for hosting major Theyyam festivals that showcase the rich ritual traditions of the northern Kannur region.
Mannampurathu Kavu
മണ്ണാമ്പുറത്ത് കാവ്
A major Theyyam centre and cultural landmark near Taliparamba, known for preserving ancient sacred grove traditions and hosting powerful Theyyam performances.
Palloor Kavu
പള്ളൂർ കാവ്
An ancient sacred grove near Payyanur, cherished for hosting rare and unique Theyyam forms that are not commonly seen at other performance sites.
Kodallur Palaprath Temple
കൊടല്ലൂർ പാലാപ്രത്ത് ക്ഷേത്രം
The only temple where Padikutty Amma Theyyam is performed — a rare female-performed Theyyam that makes this shrine unique in the entire Theyyam tradition.
Morazha Tharavadu Temples
മൊറാഴ തറവാട് ക്ഷേത്രങ്ങൾ
A cluster of ancestral homes in Morazha village that host intimate, family-level Theyyam performances preserving the most traditional and unhurried form of the ritual art.
Kurumathur Bhagavathi Temple
കുറുമാത്തൂർ ഭഗവതി ക്ഷേത്രം
A prominent temple in Kurumathur famous for its annual Muchilottu Bhagavathi festival, one of the most elaborate and well-attended Theyyam events in the Kannur region.
Kottiyoor Temple
കൊട്ടിയൂർ ക്ഷേത്രം
Ancient twin shrines deep in the Western Ghats, mythologically connected to Daksha Yaga — the cosmic sacrifice that led to Sati's self-immolation and Shiva's fury.
Pilathara Sree Thondachan Temple
പിലാത്തറ ശ്രീ തൊണ്ടച്ചൻ ക്ഷേത്രം
A prominent temple in Pilathara dedicated to Thondachan, one of the most revered subsidiary deities in the Theyyam tradition, known for its intense and powerful annual performance.
Pappinissery Kavu
പാപ്പിനിശ്ശേരി കാവ്
An important sacred grove near Kannur town, serving as a vital centre for Theyyam performances and the preservation of sacred grove ecology in an increasingly urbanised landscape.
Cheemeni Palottu Kavu
ചീമേനി പാലോട്ട് കാവ്
A famous sacred grove in the Kasargod district known for hosting unique local Theyyam forms that reflect the distinct cultural traditions of the Kerala-Karnataka border region.
Karinthalam Sree Vishnumoorthy Temple
കരിന്തളം ശ്രീ വിഷ്ണുമൂർത്തി ക്ഷേത്രം
A major Vishnumoorthy worship centre in Kasargod district, celebrated for its powerful annual Vishnumoorthy Theyyam that draws devotees from across the border region.
These are some of the most significant Theyyam venues among the thousands that exist across Kannur and Kasargod. Information is based on published sources and community knowledge. If you notice any inaccuracy, please let us know.