Parassinikadavu Sree Muthappan Temple (Parassini Madappura)
Sree Muthappan (regarded as a combined form of Shiva and Vishnu) temple · Parassinikadavu (Anthoor), Kannur, Kerala, India
The Parassini Madappura Sree Muthappan Temple stands on the bank of the Valapattanam river at Parassinikadavu, in the Anthoor area of Kannur district in north Kerala. Kerala Tourism places it about 18 to 20 km from Kannur town, and Wikipedia gives about 10 km from Taliparamba. It is the best-known shrine of Sree Muthappan, a folk deity of north Malabar.
The shrine is unusual among Kerala temples. Worship here centres on Muthappan Theyyam, a ritual performance in which a costumed performer is believed to embody the deity and speaks with devotees, rather than on an idol in a sanctum. Kerala Tourism and Incredible India both note that the temple welcomes devotees of every religion and background.
Faith & Tradition
Religious Significance of Parassinikadavu Sree Muthappan Temple (Parassini Madappura)
Kerala Tourism describes Sree Muthappan as a combination of two deities: Thiruvappana, identified with Vishnu, and Vellattam, identified with Shiva. Local tradition recorded by Wikipedia regards the deity as a form of Shiva in the guise of a hunter. Muthappan shrines are called madappuras, and an Onmanorama report describes the Parassini Madappura as the most prominent of them.
The Theyyam is performed every day, which sets Muthappan apart from most Theyyam deities, whose performances are seasonal. Incredible India describes the Vellattam as a simpler early-morning form and the Thiruvappana as the fully decorated performance. Devotees bring their troubles directly to the performer, and his replies are believed to come from Muthappan himself.
Offerings also differ from the usual temple pattern. Kerala Tourism records fish and toddy among the offerings, and boiled black gram (or beans) and tea are given to devotees as prasadam. Kerala Tourism also says that the temple provides free meals and accommodation to devotees.
Heritage
History of Parassinikadavu Sree Muthappan Temple (Parassini Madappura)
None of the sources consulted gives a founding date or an inscription for the shrine. What is recorded is the legend behind it. In the version told by Kerala Tourism, a boy named Muthappan, known for his taste for meat, dried fish and toddy, was turned out by his family; a series of events later convinced people that he was divine, he vanished, and local people built the shrine in his name.
Wikipedia gives a longer version of the legend: a childless ruling family of Eruvessi village found an infant in a basket of flowers in the river and raised him; as a young man he went hunting, sided with the poor, and left home wearing a shield over his eyes, travelling through villages of Malabar that include Kunnathurpadi and Parassinikadavu. In this telling a dog followed him throughout his journey, which is why dogs are revered at his shrines.
Kerala Tourism and South First both report that dogs move freely in the temple compound and are never chased away. South First (2023) adds that the first share of prasadam is given to dogs, that pet owners bring dogs for naming ceremonies during the Thiruvappana and Vellattam, and that bronze dog figures stand at the entrance to the sanctum.
Architecture and sacred features
Kerala Tourism describes the temple as a white, three-storeyed building, unlike the usual style of traditional Kerala temples. Incredible India notes steps leading down to the river, which devotees use for prayers and offerings. The setting on the riverbank is a defining part of the shrine.
Plan Your Visit
Darshan and Visitor Information
Muthappan Theyyam is performed daily, so visitors can usually see the ritual on any day, but crowds are heavy at weekends and during festivals; South First reports that the temple itself advises avoiding weekends for dog-naming ceremonies. Dogs roam freely inside the compound and should be left undisturbed. Confirm current Theyyam and darshan timings and any dress expectations with the temple office before travelling.
Timings and arrangements change with seasons and festivals. Confirm current details with the temple administration before travelling. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.
Sacred Calendar
Festivals at Parassinikadavu Sree Muthappan Temple (Parassini Madappura)
Puthari Thiruvappana
The annual harvest festival, held on the 16th of Vrischikam (around 1–2 December), when freshly harvested rice is offered to the Madappura and used for a feast. It opens the temple's ritual year, with a Vellattam in the evening and the Kalasam procession at night.
Concluding Thiruvappana
Wikipedia and Incredible India record a final Thiruvappana at the end of the temple's ritual year, on the last day of the Malayalam month of Kanni.
Location
How to Reach Parassinikadavu Sree Muthappan Temple (Parassini Madappura)
Kerala Tourism gives Kannur railway station, about 20 km away, as the nearest railhead and Kannur International Airport, about 31 km away, as the nearest airport. Incredible India says the shrine is connected by road to both Kannur and Taliparamba, with buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws available.
Location: Parassinikadavu (Anthoor), Kannur, Kerala, India
Nearest airport: Kannur International Airport (about 31 km, per Kerala Tourism)
Nearest railway station: Kannur (about 20 km, per Kerala Tourism)
More in Hindu temples in Kerala · Sree Muthappan (regarded as a combined form of Shiva and Vishnu) temples · Temples in Taliparamba Taluk · Temples in Kannur District
Questions
Parassinikadavu Sree Muthappan Temple (Parassini Madappura): Frequently Asked Questions
Who is worshipped at Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple?
Sree Muthappan, a folk deity of north Malabar. Kerala Tourism describes him as a combination of Vishnu (Thiruvappana) and Shiva (Vellattam), and local tradition regards him as a form of Shiva as a hunter.
Is Muthappan Theyyam performed every day?
Yes. Unlike most Theyyams, which are seasonal, Muthappan Theyyam is performed daily at Parassinikadavu, in a simpler Vellattam form and a fully decorated Thiruvappana form.
Why are dogs important at the Muthappan temple?
According to legend, a dog accompanied Muthappan on his travels, so dogs are treated as sacred. They roam the compound freely, are served prasadam first, and are sometimes brought for naming ceremonies.
What prasadam is given at Parassinikadavu?
Kerala Tourism records boiled black gram (or beans) and tea as prasadam, and fish and toddy among the offerings to the deity. The temple also provides free meals to devotees, according to Kerala Tourism.
When is the Puthari Thiruvappana festival?
It is held on the 16th of the Malayalam month of Vrischikam, which usually falls on 1 or 2 December. It is a harvest festival in which newly harvested rice is offered.
How do I reach Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple?
The nearest railway station is Kannur (about 20 km) and the nearest airport is Kannur International (about 31 km), according to Kerala Tourism. Buses and taxis run from Kannur and Taliparamba.
Sources and attribution
- Kerala Tourism (Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala) — Parassini Madappura Sree Muthappan Temple
- Kerala Tourism (Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala) — Parassinikadavu Sri Muthappan Temple, Kannur
- Kerala Tourism (Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala) — Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple (Malabar)
- Kerala Tourism (Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala) — Puthari Thiruvappana
- Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism, Government of India) — Parassinikadavu Sri Muthappan Temple
- South First — A temple where dogs are brought for their naming ceremony and good health (K M Sree, 2023)
- Onmanorama — Campus Reporter feature on Sree Muthappan Theyyam (Anjana Menon)
- Wikipedia — Muthappan Temple
Further reading: Parassinikadavu Sree Muthappan Temple (Parassini Madappura) on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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