Theyyam is a ritual dance performed in part of temple festivals in north Kerala.

Theyyam festival dates

List of temples in Kerala and the Theyyam festival season.

Kannur and Kasaragod in Kerala are ideal place to visit and watch the Theyyam rituals.

Theyyam Season Theyyam season starts from last weeks of October and lasts up to seven months till around May end or mid Jun.
The last Kaliyattam (theyyam ritual) for the season is performed at Madayi Kavu and Kalarivathukkal Bhagavathy Temple.

Theyyam is organised as part of the respective temples annual festival. The dates are finalised each year according to the traditional malayalam calendar.

The approximate dates are listed here based on the past details. The exact dates would change based on the traditional calendar calculations (a few days to a week, typically).

[table caption=”April to December”]
#| Theyyam Temple | Malayalam Date* | Date*
1|Sree Oravankara Bhagavathy Temple,Paanappuzha, Kannur|Medam 1-3|15 to 18 April
2|Malliyodu Palottu Kavu, Kunhimangalam, Kannur|Medam 1-5|15 to 19 April
3|Sree Mavilaakkavu, Mavilayi, Kannur,|Medam 1-7|14 to 20 April
4|Pinarayi Bali Temple,Pinarayi, Kannur|Medam 2-3|16 to 17 April
5|Puzhaathi Sree Pazhaya Parambathu Puthiya Bhagavathy Temple,Chirakkal, Kannur|Medam 3-5|17 to 19 April
6|Paravoor Puliyoor Kaali Temple,Kanjirathara, Kannur|Medam 5-8|17 to 19 April
7|Nilayara Bhagavathy Temple,Payyanur, Kannur|Medam 5-8|19 to 22 April
8|Peringode Illam Thazhekkavu Bhagavathy Temple, Payyanur, Kannur|Medam 9-11|23 to 24 April
9|Chirakkavu Bhagavathy Temple,Thalassery, Kannur|Medam 9-12|23 to 26 April
10|Anthi Mahakaali Kottam (Nageniamma), Payyanur, Kannur|Medam 20-21|4 to 5 May
11|Murikkoli Tharavadu Temple, Thalassery, Kannur|Medam 28-29|12 to 13 May
12|Varayil Madappura Sree Muthappan Temple, Bavode, Kannur|Meenam 4-6|18 to 20 March
13|Parapram Mandolidam Koormba Bhagavathy Temple, Pinarayi, Kannur|Meenam 8-9|27 to 28 March
14|Dharmadam Sree Mariyamman Temple,Dharmadam, Kannur|Meenam 11-13|25 to 27 March
15|Thottummal Kavullathil Sree Kali Temple,Thalassery, Kannur|Meenam 14-15|28 to 29 March
16|Sree Kuttichathan Madam, Pachapoika, Kannur|Meenam 15-17|29 to 31 March
17|Sree Ganeshan Kavu, Dharmadom, Kannur|Meenam 18-19|1 to 2 April
18|Pottan Kavu,Dharmadom, Kannur|Meenam 25-26|11 to 12 April
19|Madayikkavu, Pazhayangadi, Kannur|Edavam 10|24 May
20|Kalarivathukkal Bhagavathy Temple,Valapattanam , Kannur|Edavam 25-27|8 to 10 Jun
21|Kambrath Tharavadu Devasthanam,Trikaripur, Kasaragod|Thulam 13-14|30 to 31 October
22|Sree Kuruvappalli Ara Devaswom,Pekkadam, Kasaragod|Thulam 17-20|3 to 6 November
23|Kottiyoor Nanmadam Temple,Pariyaram, Kannur|Vrischikam 8-11|24 to 27 November
24|Puthiya Kunnathu Puthiya Bhagavathy Temple, Kottila, Kannur|Vrischikam 11-12|27 to 28 November
25|Yogi Madom,Payyanur, Kannur|Vrischikam 13-14|27 to 28 January
26|Mamundiyadu Vettaikkorumakan Temple,Kottila, Kannur|Vrischikam 13-15|29 November to 1 December
27|Naduvalathu Kottam,Pazhayangadi, Kannur|Vrischikam 16-17|2 to 3 December
28|Kokkanasseri Ara Vallar Kulangara Bhagavathy Devasthanam, Payyanur, Kannur|Vrischikam 17-20|3 to 6 December
29|Aduthila Guliyanka Bhagavathy Temple,Pazhayangadi, Kannur|Vrischikam 20-21|6 to 7 December
30|Pazhayangadi Railway Muthappan Madappura, Pazhayangadi, Kannur|Vrischikam 28-30|14 to 15 December
31|Thekkumbadu Koolom Thazhekkavu Bhagavathy Temple,Pekkadam, Kasaragod|Dhanu 1-6|17 to 22 December
[/table]

[table caption=”January”]
#| Theyyam Temple | Malayalam Date* | Date*
1 | Pariyaram Sree Udayapuram Temple, Pariyaram, Kannur | Dhanu 20-23 | January 4 to 7
2 | Chekkicheri Bhagavathy Devasthanam, Thimiri, Kannur | Dhanu 24-25 | January 9 to 10
3 | Kannom Sree Anjuthengil Aivar Paradevatha Temple, Ezhome, Kannur | Dhanu 25-28 | January 9 to 12
4 | Chirakutty Puthiyakavu, Anchampeedika, Kannur | Dhanu 26-29 | January 11 to 14
5 | Kannaram Veedu Pottan Deivam, Payyanur, Kannur | Dhanu 28-29 | January 12 to 13
6 | Neeliyar Kottam, Kanul, Kannur | Makaram 1 | January 15, 2019
7 | Sree Porkkali Bhagavathy Temple, Pinarayi, Kannur | Makaram 1 | January 15, 2023
8 | Dermal Puthiya Bhagavathy Temple, Pilathara, Kannur | Makaram 15-16 | January 15 to 16
9 | Vishwakarma Oorpazhassi Temple, Onapprambu, Kannur | Makaram 17-19 | January 17 to 20
10 | Sree Narambil Bhagavathy Temple, Cherupuzha, Kannur | Makaram 4-8 | January 19 to 22, 2022
11 | Nidumbram Sree Muthappan Madappura, Chockli, Kannur | Makaram 10-13 | January 24 to 27
12 | Maavicheri Sree Bhagavathy Temple, Payyanur, Kannur | Makaram 10-13 | January 24 to 27
13 | Sree Menarayaroth Bhagavathy Temple, Keezhatur, Kannur | Makaram 13-15 | January 27 to 29
14 | Kandothu Sree Paradevatha Temple, Mekkunnu, Kannur | Dhanu 13-15 | January 27 to 29
15 | Sree Chaamakkavu Bhagavathy Temple, Payyanur, Kannur | Makaram 13-17 | January 27 to 31
16 | Payyanur Karim Chamundi Temple, Payyanur, Kannur | Makaram 16 | January 30, 2023
17 | Koyyodan Korothu, Mahe, Kannur | Makaram 15-17 | January 29 to 31
18 | Puthiya Parambath Dharma Devasthanam, Anchampeedika, Kannur | Makaram 17-18 | January 31 to February 1
[/table]

[table caption=”February”]
#| Theyyam Temple | Malayalam Date* | Date*
1 | Kaitheri Puthiyedathu Kavu, Venduttayi, Kannur | Makaram 17-19 | January 31 to February 2
2 | Poovallathil Temple, Peringathur, Kannur | Makaram 17-19 | January 31 to February 2
3 | Sree Alakkandy Muduppali Bhagavathy Temple, Mundalloor, Kannur | Makaram 20-30 | February 3 to 12
4 | Kakkarakavu Bhagavathy Temple Aaroodasthanam, Poonthottam Illam, Kannur | Makaram 20-22 | February 3 to 5
5 | Aanacheri Kottam Sree Perumpuzha Achan Deivam Temple, Payyanur, Kannur | Makaram 23-24 | February 6 to 7
6 | Thalikkaran Tharavadu Kizhakkeveedu, Payyanur, Kannur | Makaram 23-25 | February 6 to 8
7 | Pulimuthappan Kavu, Bavode, Kannur | Makaram 24-26 | February 7 to 9
8 | Vallarkulangara Bhagavathy Kottam, Thekkumbad, Kovvapuram, Kannur | Makaram 25-26 | February 7 to 8
9 | Pramancheri Bhagavathy Kavu, Karanthadu, Kannur | Makaram 25-28 | February 8 to 11
10 | Kalarivattam Chala Temple, Kadachira, Kannur | Makaram 26-28 | February 9 to 11
11 | Aadithyan Illam, Cheruthazham, Kannur | Makaram 27-28 | February 10 to 11
12 | Kadumberi Sree Muthappan Madappura, Chakkarakkal, Kannur | Makaram 27-28 | February 10 to 11
13 | Thayineri Sree Kurinji Temple, Payyanur, Kannur | Makaram 27-29 | February 10 to 12
14 | Karimanal Kavu Chamundeswari Temple, Kakkara, Kannur | Kumbham 28-30 | February 11 to 14
15 | Andallur Kavu, Dharmadam, Kannur | Kumbham 1-7 | February 13 to 19
16 | Keezhara Kulom Bhagavathy Temple, Cherukunnu, Kannur | Kumbham 2-7 | February 14 to 19
17 | Mattul Sree Koormba Bhagavathy Temple, Kaavilapparambu, Kannur | Kumbham 5-07 | February 17 to 19
18 | Kappothkavu Puthiya Bhagavathy Temple, Kalliasseri, Kannur | Kumbham 5-8 | February 17 to 20
19 | Aadoor Sree Panachikkavu, Koothuparamba, Kannur | Kumbham 8-10 | February 20 to 22
20 | Ancharakkandi Palayam Arayalkeezhil Sree Muthappan Temple, Mamba, Kannur | Kumbham 8-10 | February 20 to 22
21 | Karayil Kandambath Palakkukeezhil Devasthanam, Payyanur, Kannur | Kumbham 9-10 | February 21 to 22
22 | Kadangodu Maakkam Bhagavathy Temple, Kunhimangalam, Kannur | Kumbham 10-13 | February 22 to 23
23 | Arayil Choovatta Panayakkatt Bhagavathy Temple, Annur, Kannur | Kumbham 11-12 | February 24 to 25
24 | Bavode Sree Velutha Kunnathu Machilottu Bhagavathy Temple, Bavode, Kannur | Kumbham 12-14 | February 24 to 26
25 | Manikka Sree Kurumba (Payyampalli) Temple, Thana, Kannur | Kumbham 12-14 | February 24 to 26
26 | Kurankunnu Bhagavathy Temple, Cherukunnu, Kannur | Kumbham 12-15 | February 24 to 27
27 | Thekkekkara Valiya Veedu Sree Panayakkatt Bhagavathy Temple, Payyanur, Kannur | Kumbham 13-15 | February 25 to 27
28 | Maavilayi Koodan Gurukkanmar Kavu, Maavilayi, Kannur | Kumbham 13-15 | February 25 to 27
29 | Sree Vaira Jaathan Temple, Kunnumbram, Kannur | Kumbham 13-15 | February 25 to 27
30 | Thekkumbadu Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple, Maavilayi, Kannur | Kumbham 13-15 | February 25 to 27
31 | Virad Vishwakarma Devi Temple, Pinarayi, Kannur | Kumbham 14-15 | February 26 to 27
32 | Aduthilatheru Sree Bhagavathy Temple, Pazhayangadi, Kannur | Kumbham 15-16 | February 27 to 28
33 | Thaivalappil Tharavadu Kandothu, Payyanur, Kannur | Kumbham 15-16 | February 27 to 28
34 | Kunnunjaal Sri Muthappan Madappura, Pinarayi, Kannur | Kumbham 16-17 | February 28 to March 1
[/table]

[table caption=”March”]
1 | Kallidil Devasthanam, Payyanur, Kannur | Kumbham 15-17 | February 27 to March 1
2 | Kadukkaaram Sree Karimanal Chamundeshwari Devasthanam, Kadukkaaram, Kannur | Kumbham 18-19 | March 2-3
3 | Thazhakkandy Tharavadu Chalil Kutti Sasthappan, Bavode, Kannur | Kumbham 18-19 | March 2-3
4 | Muchilottu Puthiyakavu, Peralassery, Kannur | Kumbham 18-20 | March 2-4
5 | Chambadu Sree Koormba Temple, Pathiriyad, Kannur | Kumbham 23-24 | March 4-8
6 | Pulitharammal Sree Bhagavathy Temple, Keezhara, Kannur | Kumbham 21-22 | March 5-6
7 | Karuvalli Sree Koorumba Bhagavathy Kavu, Thana, Kannur | Kumbham 21-24 | March 5-8
8 | Vadassery Padinjarekkara Sree Puthiyara Bhagavathy Temple, Kankol, Kannur | Kumbham 23-24 | March 7-8
9 | Gurukkalottu Bhagavathy Temple, Cherukunnu, Kannur | Kumbham 26-28 | March 10-12
10 | Chammaradethu Devi Temple, Pinarayi, Kannur | Kumbham 30-Meenam 01 | March 14-15
[/table]

Train route map to reach Kannur, the main district where Theyyam is held. — Theyyam

[table caption=”Malayalam calendar”]
| Malayalam month | Approximate dates
1|Chingam|August 17 – September 16
2|Kanni|September 17 – October 17
3|Thulam|October 18 – November 16
4|Vrischikam|November 17 – December 15
5|Dhanu|December 16 – January 14
6|Makaram|January 15 – February 12
7|Kumbham|February 13 – March 14
8|Meenam|March 15 – April 14
9|Medam|April 15 – May 14
10|Edavam|May 15 – June 15
11|Midhunam|June 16 – July 16
12|Karkidakam|July 17 – August 17
[/table]

How the Theyyam dates are announced?
The dates are finalised each year according to the traditional malayalam calendar.

Which Is the best place to see Theyyam?
Kannur and Kasaragod in Kerala are ideal place to visit and watch the Theyyam ritual performance.

Who organise Theyyam festivals?
Theyyam is organised as part of the respective temple’s annual festival.

What is Theyyam ?
An ancient art form with a history spanning over eight centuries, Theyyam stands out as one of the most spectacular ritualistic art forms in Northern Kerala. The performances of Theyyam incorporate the myths and tales associated with numerous gods and deities in Hindu mythology. The artists involved in Theyyam are dedicated to maintaining the authenticity of the art form and safeguarding its ritualistic legacy.

When is the Theyyam season?
Theyyam season starts on the tenth day of Thulam (paththaam-udayam) in Malayalam calender ( October ) and lasts for seven months, concluding in the middle of Edavam month ( late May and early June).