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. Ritualistic performances in Kerala are aplenty, such as thira and mudiyettu, and among these Theyyam has a greater visual recall for outsiders. For a long time now, stories of the theyyams have transcended geographical boundaries, attracting people from faraway lands. But north Malabar pushes back against content creators disrupting centuries-old rituals. Theyyam performances are a regular occurrence from mid-October to early June in Northern Kerala. However, they don’t follow a fixed schedules. Click here to read more Chennai-based Ramya Sriram’s Theyyam photograph, shot at a temple in Kannur, wins an award. The photograph was part of National Geographic ‘Capture in Motion’ campaign. Photo: THULASI KAKKAT Theyyam is performed only by men who morph into gods, adorning headdresses with colourful feathers and faces painted in vivid hues. Photo: THULASI KAKKAT They dance around shrines to the loud beats of the Chenda and the sounds of the cymbals and bless devotees. Photo: THULASI KAKKAT The sacred ritual also includes walking on the fire. Photo: MOHAN SK Theyyam performances are an annual ritual. Performers in elaborate crimson gear blend movements of Kalaripayattu and dramatic rituals. Photo: THULASI KAKKAT Theyyam being a ritualistic art form, travellers are expected to respect local customs and traditions, which now include restrictions on photography. Photo: THULASI KAKKAT Each of these Theyyam performances involves rites that celebrate local lore. Though the art form is rooted in the caste system, it brings in a temporary reversal of hierarchies, with performers from historically marginalised communities. Photo: THULASI KAKKAT The art form ties together the physical and metaphysical, uniting man and God, played out in an overwhelming multi-sensory experience. Published – February 24, 2026 02:59 pm IST Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation Jharkhand air ambulance crash: Probe underway into cause Paramount submits higher offer for Warner Bros Discovery in bid to block Netflix, source says