Theyyam Calendar 2026–27:
Festival Dates in Kannur and Kasaragod
The Theyyam season in North Kerala runs from roughly November to May, with the heaviest concentration of performances between December and April in Kannur and Kasaragod districts. Each performance is tied to a specific kavu (sacred grove) or tharavadu (ancestral house) and follows the Malayalam calendar rather than the Gregorian one, which is why dates shift every year. This calendar lists festival dates for the 2026–27 season, explains how to read Malayalam months, and shows you how to confirm a date before you travel.
When Is the Theyyam Season in 2026–27?
The season opens in the Malayalam month of Vrischikam (mid-November) and carries through Dhanu, Makaram, Kumbham and Meenam, winding down in Medam (mid-April to mid-May). January to March is the busiest stretch, with several kavus holding festivals on the same weekend. One exception is Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple, where Muthappan Theyyam is performed daily through the year as part of the temple’s regular worship.
Malayalam Month to English Date Converter
| Malayalam month | Approximate Gregorian period |
|---|---|
| Tulam | mid-October to mid-November |
| Vrischikam | mid-November to mid-December |
| Dhanu | mid-December to mid-January |
| Makaram | mid-January to mid-February |
| Kumbham | mid-February to mid-March |
| Meenam | mid-March to mid-April |
| Medam | mid-April to mid-May |
Enquire Now
Theyyam Festival Dates, 2026 to 2027
October 2026
- Temple: Nidiyenga Sree Melalikkavu
- Place: Sreekandapuram, Kannur, Kerala
- Dates: 12 Oct 2026
- Theyyams: Shambhongyar, Daivathareeswaran
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- Temple: Kakkunnam Kizhakke Veedu Marar Tharavadu
- Place: Trikaripur, Kasaragod, Kerala
- Dates: 24,25 Oct 2026
- Theyyams:Vallarkulangara Bhagavathi, Bhagavathi Theyyam, Thaipparadevatha Theyyam
- _________________________________
- Temple: Chathampally Vishakandan Kshethram
- Place: Kolacheri, Kannur
- Dates: 26–27 Oct 2026
- Theyyams:Vishakandan Theyyam, Gulikan, Ilamkolam, Valiya Thamburatti
- _________________________________
- Temple: Kanhangad Arayi Karthika Sree Chamundi Devalayam
- Place: Kanhangad , Kasaragod
- Dates: 26–27-28 Oct 2026
- Theyyams:
- _________________________________
- Temple: Chiravakku Puthiyadathu Kavu
- Place: Thaliparamba, Kannur
- Dates: 29-30 Oct 2026
- Theyyams: Vishnumoorthi, Pottan Theyyam
- _________________________________
November 2026
- Temple: Irinave Sree Vettakkorumakan Temple
- Place: Irinav, Kannur
- Dates: 1 Nov Oct 2026
- Theyyams: Vettakkorumakan Theyyam, Oorpazhassi Theyyam
- _________________________________
- Temple: Pekkadam Kuruvapalli Ara Devasom
- Place: Thrikaripur, Kasaragod
- Dates: 3–6 Nov 2026
- Theyyams:
- _________________________________
- Temple: Sree Rayaramangalam Vadakken Vathil sree Veethukunnu Vishnumurthy Temple
- Place: Pilicode, Kasaragod
- Dates: 7-8 Nov 2026
- Theyyams: Vishnumoorthi, Chamundi, Bhagavathi
- __________________________________________________________
- Temple: Sree Alayil Bhagavathi Temple
- Place: Kayyur, Kasaragod
- Dates: 11-12 Nov 2026
- Theyyams: Kandathilamma, Vishnumoorthi, etc
- __________________________________________________________
- Temple: Mavilakkadappuram Oriyarakkavu Vishnumurthy Temple
- Place: Mavilakkadappuram, Kasaragod
- Dates: 14-15 Nov 2026
- Theyyams: Vishnumoorthi, Chamundi, Gulikan, Bhagavathi, etc
- _________________________________
- Temple: Chemmaravayal Sree Purakkat Vettakkorumakan Kshethram
- Place: Vallithodur
- Dates: 20-22 Nov 2026
- Theyyams:
- __________________________________________________________
December 2026
- Temple: Ezhilode Karattu Neeliyar Bhagavathi Temple
- Place: Ezhilode, Kannur
- Dates: 1-3 Dec 2026
- Theyyams: Neeliyar Bhagavathi, Vishnumoorthi, Gulikan, Etc
- _________________________________
- Temple: Kotty Sree Aadi Kannangadu Bhagavathi Temple
- Place: Payyannur, Kannur
- Dates: 22–27 Dec 2026
- Theyyams: Kannanghattu Bhagavathi Theyyam
- _________________________________
- Temple:
- Place:
- Dates:
- Theyyams:
- __________________________________________________________
- Temple:
- Place:
- Dates:
- Theyyams:
- __________________________________________________________
January 2027
- Temple: Kandoth Sree Kurumba Bhagavathy Temple
- Place: Payyannur, Kannur
- Dates: 10-13 Jan 2027
- Theyyams:
- _________________________________
February 2027
March 2027
How to Confirm a Theyyam Date Before You Travel
Temple festivals are scheduled by the kavu committee, and dates can move by a day when the astrologer fixes the auspicious hour. Before booking, check the committee’s notice or contact the temple directly, and ask for the time of the specific Theyyam you want to see. Many of the most striking performances happen between midnight and dawn, so a festival that runs “10–12 February” may have its main Theyyams in the small hours of the second or third night. Read our guide to watching Theyyam at night before you plan your arrival.
What to Expect at a Theyyam Festival
A festival usually begins with Thottam, the invocation song that introduces the deity, followed by Vellattam and then the full Theyyam in costume. Different deities appear across the days, and the same kavu may host a Vishnumoorthi, a Bhagavathi and a Gulikan in a single festival. If you want to know who you’ll be watching, our types of Theyyam list and guides to Vishnumoorthi Theyyam, Chamundi Theyyam and Muchilot Bhagavathi Theyyam explain the deities and their rituals.
Visitor Etiquette
Theyyam is living worship, not a staged show. Dress modestly, remove footwear before entering the shrine area, and keep your distance from the performer. Do not use flash photography during ritual moments, and never touch the costume. If you plan to photograph, read Photographing Theyyam: A Guide for Travel Photographers (link to the live URL once published). For guided visits, see Kerala Theyyam tours.
Theyyam Calendar FAQ
The season typically begins around November, in the Malayalam month of Vrischikam, and runs until about May. Peak months are January to March.
Parassinikadavu Muthappan Temple in Kannur performs Muthappan Theyyam daily, so it is the most reliable option outside the festival season.
Kannur has the largest number, followed by Kasaragod. Thousands of kavus hold performances across the two districts each season.
Use the month conversion table above. For example, Kumbham 13 falls in late February. Exact dates shift by a day or two yearly, so confirm with the temple.
Most kavu festivals are free to attend. Parassinikadavu and some larger temples may have separate arrangements for offerings and food.
Many begin before dawn or in the evening, and the biggest Theyyams are often performed in the early morning hours. Check the temple’s schedule for each deity.