Manathana Pothi theyyam is a manifestation of Mother Goddess Kali and is performed in many Madappura during the annual theyyam thira kaliyattam festival in Kannur and Kasaragod regions of Kerala. As per information, Manathana Poothi theyyam is a ferocious warrior form of Godess Shakti and is associated with the killing of demon Darikasura. As per Manthana Pothi theyyam story, she appeared from the third of eye of Mahadeva Shiva to annihilate Darikasura. She travelled atop a Vethalam who resided in the Kailash Mountain. She promised the Vethalam, who was perpetually hungry, that she would feed him the heart and liver of Darikasura. A ferocious battle was fought between the demon and Goddess Manathana Pothi for seven days. Each day the demon lost strength equal to that of an elephant and finally on the eighth day the demon was killed. On the eighth day, Manathana Pothi, place the demon the tongue of the Vethalam and tore him into pieces and dark his blood. She then gave the liver and heart to the Vethalam, body parts to Bhoothaganas and the head was gifted to Mahadeva Shiva.
This Manathana theyyam is worshipped for peace and prosperity. It is believed that she cures all kinds of diseases and saves her devotees from all kinds of attacks.
This theyyam is performed in a number of kavu, temples and
tharavadu in Kannur region.
Some of the important temples where the theyyam are
performed include Thalasseri Kunduchira kattil Atoota Madappura temple,
Kuthuparamba Neerveli Attupuram Sree Porkali Bhagavathi temple, Kuthuparamba
Naravur Thaikandy Madappura temple, Kannur Peravoor Vellarvalli Aathileri
Muthappan Madappura temple, Thalasseri Eranholi Nidungottum Kavu temple,
Kuthuparamba Naravur Chathadimanakkal kavu temple, Thalasseri Moozhikkara
Chandroth Bhagavathi temple and Chalakkunnu Sree Muthappan temple.