Cheruvathur: The Theyyam season is set to begin in northern Kerala, with just a few days left for the auspicious Pathamudayam day. With the onset of the Malayalam month of Thulam, Chamundi — a fierce form of Goddess Durga — will make her appearance on the Thimiri fields here to sow the ceremonial seeds.

At the Cheruvathur Azhivaathukkal Temple, preparations are already underway for the much-anticipated Perumkaliyattam performance. The Theyyam season, which ended with the start of the Malayalam month of Karkidakam, is now making its return. This year, the first Perumkaliyattam — a grand Theyyam festival — will be held at the Kalyikkodu Muchilottu Bhagavathy Temple in the Kayyur–Cheemeni panchayat. The festival, usually held in February, has been in preparation for months.

Theyyam is returning to the Cheruvathur Azhivaathukkal Temple after a five-year break, following the temple’s demolition for national highway development. Arrangements are in full swing as this marks the first Theyyam performance since the temple’s reconstruction.

Elaborate preparations are also being made around the temple, where the historically significant “Idu” in front of the shrine was recently renovated. Historians note that in earlier times, the “Idu” served not only as a place of worship but also as a centre for martial arts. Such “Idu” structures are typically found in temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

Examples can be seen in Ilampachy, Thankayam, Manikkanal, Kinathil, Pilikkodu Kottumburam, Kizhakkan Kozhuval, Kushavan Kunnu, Cheruvathur Kovval, Kariyil, Kunji Pulikkal, Kunjaalin Keezhil and Kottumburam. It is believed that these sites were once hubs for archery, and rituals linked to this tradition continue to be observed there.