Starting late October, when the Theyyam season begins, the sacred groves of northern Malabar stir to life.
In these groves and ancestral family homes of Kannur and Kasaragod, Theyyam performances are an annual ritual. Performers in elaborate crimson gear blend movements of Kalaripayattu and dramatic fire rituals.
Up until the season ends in May, the entire region of northern Malabar opens up — sharing its beliefs, heritage and storied legends with the world. Anyone – irrespective of caste, religion or nationality — can watch the performances and partake of the offerings at these shrines. It is this shared sense of community and connection with the land that travellers are increasingly seeking today.
Tours, trails and packages tailor-made for curious travellers are increasingly available, offering a deeper cultural understanding of the region, its lore and its people.
Veeranmaar theyyam, Thulurvanam, Kasaragod
| Photo Credit:
THULASI KAKKAT
Kskethrapaalakaneeshwaran theyyam at Mannampurathu kaavu, Nileshwram, Kasaragod
| Photo Credit:
THULASI KAKKAT
The Kerala Tourism website issues a Theyyam calendar every year, which lists locations of the temples, dates of the performances and details of the contact persons. Tour companies, mostly led by people from the northern Malabar region, offer a bouquet of curated Theyyam experiences for travellers.
Since Theyyam ceremonies don’t follow fixed schedules, the packages are flexible and subject to changes in timing, venues and availablility of local guides. Theyyam being a ritualistic art form, travellers are expected to respect local customs and traditions, which now include restrictions on photography.
Theyyam trails by Polika
Kasaragod-based Polika began work on an independent Theyyam calendar in 2022, connecting temples and artistes across locations. Manoj Kumar, founder of Polika, says he has curated a database of over 300 Theyyam locations.
Polika’s Theyyam calendar is a detailed listing of Theyyam performances across Kannur and Kasaragod. Local guides who have expertise in the region and the rituals associated with Theyyam lead the tours. Polika’s Theyyam Trails include accommodation at homestays, local cuisine, and handpicked local experiences. Led by seasoned guides, well aware of the rituals, these trails offer an insight into the history of Theyyam and its socio-cultural relevance. “Currently 70 percent of our tourists are domestic,” says Manoj.
The Theyyam trails are available during off-season as well. “During Karkidakam, when performances do not take place, we organise interactions with Theyyam artistes, who provide a deeper introduction to the myths and oral traditions. These sessions allow guests to engage directly with the performers and observe their elaborate costumes and ritual accoutrements up close,” he adds. The off-season trail also includes a visit to a pottery village in Nileshwaram, where artisans collaborate with Theyyam artistes to paint clay pots with intricate mukhathezhuthu (sacred face painting) motifs.
The day trail with a storyteller is priced at ₹3,500 and night trail at ₹4,500 for up to four people. Larger packages start from ₹6,500 per night for two persons, which includes breakfast.
@polika.life on instagram , www.polika.net
Neeliyar Bhagavathi, Neeliyarkottam in Kannur
| Photo Credit:
THULASI KAKKAT
Ekathra Experiences’ Theyyam ecosystem
The Theyyam tour is one of the most prominent among the 11 theme-based travel packages offered by Ekathra Experiences, a conservation-oriented travel company based in Kozhikode. “While the Theyyam is, to the traveller, a grand visual display, it has multiple layers to it. Our tours guide travellers through the entire Theyyam landscape,” says Sreejith Payyadakath, founder of Ekathra Experiences. “Beyond the visual aspect, the social context of Theyyam is interesting to the traveller. Traditionally performed by members of marginalised communities, Theyyam inverts established caste hierarchies. The performer becomes the deity that everyone worships,” Sreejith explains. The sustainability aspect is another factor that sets it apart, he adds. “Many of the sacred groves exist today because of Theyyams. They have been protected for generations, not by environmental laws, but stories, rituals and taboos.”
Ekathra’s packages are for two days and one night, which include visits to sacred groves, exploring bell metal workshops, where the ornaments, weapons and anklets of Theyyam artistes are made. Interactions with artistes, community elders, local food and visits to the historical Bekal Fort in Kasaragod, St. Angelo Fort in Kannur and Folklore Museum at Chirakkal are also part of the package.
The Theyyam experience is priced at approximately ₹7,500 per person, for a group of four participants. This includes accommodation with breakfast, transportation, local guides, all curated experiences, and applicable taxes. To ensure an intimate and meaningful engagement, smaller groups are recommended, with a maximum of eight participants.
ekathraexperiences.com, @ekathraexperiences on instagram
Gulikan theyyam, Kasaragod
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THULASI KAKKAT
Biennale and Theyyam
WeGoBond, a Delhi-based travel company that organises women-only tours, recently conducted a six-night-seven-day package to Kochi and Kannur to explore the Kochi Muziris Biennale and Theyyam. “Our customers are women between 40 to 70 years of age, who are well-travelled and are now looking for deeper, more cultural and immersive experiences,” says Shibani Vig, founder of WeGoBond. “The interest in this holiday was one of the best we have seen. We took effort to explain the unique socio-cultural aspects of Theyyam,” Shibani adds.
Story time with Theyyam Tours
Thalassery-based Theyyam Tours was founded as a passion project in 2018 by Amogh PC. An ardent Theyyam enthusiast, he has been returning to his hometown every Theyyam season, even while pursuing his MTech in Computer Science Engineering from IIT, Hyderabad. “I never miss Theyyam season,” says Amogh, who is currently doing his research at the National University of Singapore. While interacting with tourists who came to watch Theyyam, he realised that even though they were spellbound by the colours and the stunts, few understood the stories behind the Theyyam or the significance of the costumes, gestures and rituals. “I enjoyed narrating the stories behind the Theyyam forms, and answering people’s questions,” he says.
Kandanar Kelan in Kannur
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THULASI KAKKAT
What started as a side hustle soon grew into a travel company. “Having grown up surrounded by this tradition, we feel deeply connected to the communities and temples where Theyyam lives on. We tied up with autorickshaw drivers who network as local tourist guides and started an informal network.”
The experiment paid off and it was registered as a company in 2025, comprising Amogh, his brother Agin and their teammate Adithya. The two-day two-night package includes accommodation in a traditional Kerala Tharavad. During the day, the tourists would get an experience of Thalassery as well. The packages on offer are Divine Fiery Theyyams (from ₹9,999), Weekend Theyyam Experience (from ₹8,999) and Weekday Theyyam (from ₹8,499).
@theyyamtours, www.theyyamtours.com
Chamundi theyyam, Nileshwram, Kasaragod
| Photo Credit:
THULASI KAKKAT
