NON-ATHEIST finalaugust | Page 11

days the wife of the chieftain Muchilottu Nair saw an apparition in the well and started seeing unearthly things happening in the house. Later it came clear in the dreams of his that the girl who was Savitri herself, was sent back with all her powers awakened to save others in times of need. When Nair enquired who she was, she replied that if he was Muchilodan Nair then she is Muchilottu Bhagawathy. She also asked him to make an abode for her in his house. Similar visions were seen by many including the rulers who decided to establish a temple for the Goddess. It is a matter worth noting that in North Malabar, humans who are heroic are revered and worshipped as God incarnates. Parashinikadavu Muthappan is one of the lot. They sure manifest magic in the lives of their devotees. The temple opens only during festivals and during the last day of every month according to the Malayalam Calendar. The temple got its present structure in 1975. The temple is carefully maintained by the temple authorities. This is more like a family temple and the deity rules over the lives of the people who live in the neighbouring areas, besides the members of the families, who take keen interest in the happenings in the temple. The Non- Atheist team feels blessed to have been present during the festival of the temple. The festival ends with Bhagawathy Theyyam. Theyyam is a temple art form that is very popular in North Malabar in particular. The story of Bhagawathy in her earthly form is the back drop of the NON-ATHEIST, Aug 2018 11 Theyyam also.