Andallur Kavu Theyyam is a traditional ritualistic performance art form. Andalur Kavu at Dharmmadam village in Kannur district is a renowned Lord Rama temple popular for its annual Theyyam festival called Kaliyattam.
It is one of the rare places where Yuddha kanda of Ramayana — the great epic — is visualised and performed. The main deities are Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman. One significance for this kavu is that it has two holy places called Mele Kavu (upper temple) and Thazhe kavu (lower temple).
The festival is a visual spectacle in a region where the residents earnestly follow the ancient and sacred customs throughout the season. During the festival, which lasts for seven days in the second week of February, Malayalam month of Kumbham, over 10 Theyyams based on the legendary epic Ramayana are performed here. Daivathar Theyyam (represents Lord Rama), Bappuran Theyyam (Lord Hanuman), Angakkaran Theyyam (Lord Lakshmana), Athiraalarvum Makkalum Theyyam (Goddess Sita and her twins Lava and Kusha) are some of the Theyyams performed here. It is believed to have been built by the Sage Parasurama (the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu).
The name Andalurkavu (“Andar-villoor-kavu”) can be interpreted as the grove (sacred kavu) where the sacred weapons of deities are kept. This Kavu also has a story of how the Kalaripayat warrior Thacholi Othenan, who once caused trouble in this Thiyar-dominated Kavu Andalur of Thalassery, was punished and defeated by the Thiyars and crossed the country through the bridge.
