Muchilot Bhagavathi is the

tutelary deity A tutelary () (also tutelar) is a deity or a spirit who is a guardian, patron, or protector of a particular place, geographic feature, person, lineage, nation, culture, or occupation. The etymology of "tutelary" expresses the concept of safety and ...

of the Vaniyas of North Malabar. Muchilot Bhagavathi is also worshipped as ''Eezhala Bhagavati and Maññaḷamma ''

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 ''mana'' called ''Maniyottu'' in the village of Peringellur, near

Taliparamba Taliparamba (also known as Perinchelloor and Lakshmipuram) is a Municipalities of Kerala, Municipality in Taliparamba taluk of Kannur district, Kerala, India. The municipal town spreads over an area of and is inhabited by 44,247 number ...

. 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. 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 Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...

at the temple in

Karivellur Karivellur is a census town and Gram Panchayat in Kannur district of Kerala state, India. Location Karivellur is located 47 km towards north from District headquarters Kannur, 10 km from taluk HQ Payyanur and 535 km from the s ...

and promptly resolved to meet him through suicide. Standing on a bed of burning coal, she asked a vāṇiya to pour coconut oil over her. She then returned to the world as a goddess by the blessing of lord

shiva Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...

. While travelling in the earth she rested at the home of Muchilot padanair, who was a vāṇiya belonging to Muchilot clan and a soldier of kolathiri king.History of Muchilotu Bhagavathi http://www.thekeralatemples.com/templeinfo/bhagavathy/karivellur_muchilottukavu.htm 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 Shiva (; sa, शिव, lit=The Auspicious One, Śiva ), also known as Mahadeva (; ɐɦaːd̪eːʋɐ, or Hara, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the Supreme Being in Shaivism, one of the major traditions within Hindu ...

to abide in him. They placed the goddess in a silver chest in the western chamber of the house.This is how the Muchilottu Bhaghavathy associated with the 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

External links

* , Official Website * , the Land of Theyyam. * : Theyyam Images, History, Kaav. * {{citation , url = http://www.theyyamcalendar.com/ , title = Theyyam calendar, including images. Theyyam Arts of Kerala Hindu goddesses