Neeliyar Kottam
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Neeliyar Kottam
Neeliyar Kottam is a sacred groove in Kannur situated at Mangattuparamba near Dharmasala.
Folklore
According to the lores, a wise and beautiful woman Neeli, turned in to a blood thirsty demon after a local king betrayed and murdered her. But ever since a man took her for a compassionate mother, she turned into a motherly form. The Goddess came along with a priest of Kalikattu illam when he was returning from Kottiyoor. Goddess then asked to be installed in this jungle location where the leopards and cattle were seen living together in peace.
Rituals
Privately owned Neeliyar Kottam still preserves the jungle surroundings. Its sanctum is not roofed. When the ritualistic Theyyam performance is seasonal elsewhere, the belief is that the Goddess graces the Neeliyar Kottam grooves whenever a devotee makes an offering. The Theyyam costume cosists of large blood-red clothes, with a 20ft bamboo framed headgear and traditional Theyyam ornaments. Artists of Vannan community performs the Theyyam of Neeliyar Bhagavathi or the Ottathira .