Karichamundi theyyam, or Karim Chamundi theyyam is a ferocious Vanadevata theyyam performed during the annual theyyam thira kaliyattam festival in Kannur and Kasaragod region of Kerala. As per information, this theyyam is that of a blood sucking forest dwelling goddess. The story of Karichamundi theyyam is that of Ali Mappila, a Muslim man searching for vayattatti or midwife to deliver his pregnant wife. Ali Mappila comes across a beautiful woman who agrees to perform the delivery. After an hour or so there was no sound from the house, Ali Mappila opened the door and was stunned to see the lady drinking blood from the stomach of his wife.
Ali Mappila tries to kill the lady by striking on her head. She gives a wild shrill that causes panic in the region. She turns into a ferocious form and carries away Ali Mappila to a pala tree and sucks his blood. She then throws his body down. The goddess is not satisfied and creates havoc in the region. People are kidnapped and killed by her.
The local ruler of the region, on the advice of astrologers, asked people to give her respect and a place in one of the kavu (sacred grove). A theyyam is also promised in her name. This satisfies her and she disappears from the region. This story is popular among Pulaya community.
As per the story followed in Nambiar community, Kari Chamundi is Goddess Durga Bhagavati or Mahadevi and she appeared to annihilate demons Shumbha and Nishumbha.
As per another belief, Karichamundi is the parivara devata of Someshwari Devi.
കരിഞ്ചാമുണ്ഡി ഒരു യക്ഷിത്തെയ്യമാണെന്നു കരുതപ്പെടുന്നു. പൈതങ്ങളെയും കോഴികളെയും പിടിച്ചു ഭക്ഷിക്കുന്ന ഒരു ഭീകര ദേവതയാണെന്നു മാത്രമേ തോറ്റംപാട്ടിൽ പറയുന്നുള്ളൂ.