Kudiveeran theyyam is a warrior theyyam seen in many kavu, temples and tharavadu during the annual theyyam thira kaliyattam festival in Kannur and Kasaragod regions of Kerala. As per information, this is the theyyam of a great warrior who was born in a family of warriors in the region. As the per Kudiveeran theyyam story he became the most adept warrior in the region and studied in many Kalari. His name instilled fear in the enemy camp and for the people his region his name evoked a sense of protection and safety.
It is believed that his enemies spread lies about him all over the places and fed up with their antics, Yama, the god of death, decided that such a great warrior was not befitting the land. He arrived and asked Kudiveeran to follow him. When he reached the Mayathan Kadavu in Thirunelli, he disappeared.
People who realized their protector had left the land; they gave him a space in their sacred places and worshipped him. To honor him they gave him a theyyam kolam.
The theyyam is performed at Kannur Ezhome Kuruvattu Parayil Tharavad Devasthanam temple (November 13 to 14), Cherukunnu Kovvappuram Machithol Vayanattukulavan temple (December 26 to December 27), Pilathara Paravoor Chonnamma temple, Maathodam Kovvummal Tharavad Vayanattukulavan temple, Azhikode Thekkubhagam Aalinkeezhil Tharavadu temple, Kunnaru Parayil Tharavadu Vanayanattukulavan temple (February 17 and February 18), Mattul Kavile Parambu Kottal Tharammal Tharavad Devasthanam temple, Peravur Karoth Tharavad Palliyara Bhagavathy Devasthanam temple, Pazhayangadi Chengal Chembakkaran Tharavadu temple and Thaliparambu Pulimparambu Mykeel Karimkuttichathan temple.