Puli Daivam

പുലി ദൈവങ്ങൾ

The tiger deities of North Malabar, born to Shiva and Parvati in tiger form.

Category: God and goddess (a family of deities)
Includes: Puliyoor Kali, Pulikandan, Pulikarinkali and others
Story: Shiva and Parvati as a tiger and tigress
Puliyoor Kali kept by: The Vannan community

Who is Puli Daivam?

Puli Daivam, the tiger deities, are a family of Theyyams of North Malabar. “Puli” means tiger. Kerala Tourism lists several of them: Puliyoor Kali, Pulikarinkali, Pulikandan, Marapuli, Kandapuli and Pulimaruthan.

The story

The stories say that Shiva and Parvati, passing through a forest, saw tigers and took the forms of a tiger, Pulikandan, and a tigress, Pulikarinkali. The tigress gave birth in a cave beneath a rock, and the cubs became tiger deities. The best known is a daughter, Puliyoor Kali. The sons are named variously, and the number of children differs between accounts.

Puliyoor Kali often appears alone as a companion deity in a shrine. When she appears with her mother, the mother is called Valiya Thamburatti and the daughter Cheriya Thamburatti. In some places she appears together with Puliyoor Kannan. These details come mainly from popular sources, so please treat them as one tradition among several.

Close view of the Puli Daivam Theyyam face and headdress — Photo: Mullookkaaran, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Puli Daivam Theyyam during a ritual in North Malabar, Kerala — Photo: Vaikoovery, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Hero photo: Kuttappan Chettan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What you will see

Puliyoor Kali wears a very tall, round headdress, an orange-red painted face and richly layered red attire. She is described as fierce, with angry postures and graceful steps and spins, and at one point the sacred headdress is lowered to touch the ground in reverence.

In the tradition

Puliyoor Kali is kept by the Vannan community. The tiger deities are understood as protectors, and are approached with respect.

A note for visitors

Pulimaranja Thondachan, who is described in a separate page, is a different tiger deity with a different story. Photography and video are not allowed at some rituals, so ask your guide first.

Quick answers

Who is Puli Daivam in Theyyam?

What does Puli Daivam Theyyam look like?

Learn about the Theyyams with a local guide

Our guided trips explain each deity’s story as you see it, and are planned with you on enquiry. We never publish ritual dates or venues, and confirm the right nights with you closer to travel.

Enquire about a trip

Sources and further reading: Hindu Blog: Puliyoor Kali Theyyam, Kerala Tourism: Various types of Theyyam. Stories vary by shrine, family and teller; this is a general summary, not a definitive version.