In the mystical land of North Malabar, Kerala, where myths breathe through rituals and divinity dances through flames, the drums of transformation begin to thunder. As the Chenda echoes across the Kurukootti Maarana Gulikan Temple, its frequency pierces not just the ears but the very subconscious of those gathered. This is not mere sound—it is the vibration of the Asura consciousness, awakening something ancient, something primal.
And then he arrives.
Goosebumps rise on every skin as the Maarana Gulikan Theyyam—one of the rarest manifestations of Gulikan—enters the sacred ground. With fire torch in hand, face ablaze with colors of fury and divinity, he walks not just among the people, but within them. Fear, awe, surrender—the energies swirl.
To the uninitiated, this might seem like a spectacle. But those who listen with the heart know: this is a ritual of death—not of the body, but of the ego.
Maaran: The Tantrik Fire of Dissolution
In the ancient science of Tantra, there exist six powerful operations known as the Shatkarmas: Maaran, Stambhan, Mohan, Uchatan, Vashikaran, and Akarshan. Maaran—feared by many—is said to carry destructive potential. Legends say it can be used to bring an enemy to ruin, even to death.
But for the true Saadhak, the seeker of light, Maaran holds a deeper meaning. It is not the destruction of others that is sought—but the burning down of one's own illusions. To kill the ego is to be reborn without boundaries, without pride, without fear. In this sacred destruction, the path to divine wisdom is cleared.
This is the sacred purpose of Maarana Gulikan: not simply a guardian from outer threats, but a purifier of the inner world.
The Divine Origin of Gulikan
Myth tells us that when young Markandeya prayed to Lord Shiva, refusing to succumb to the call of death, Yama—the god of death—approached to claim him. In a divine fury, Lord Shiva opened his third eye and reduced Yama to ashes. With death banished, chaos descended upon the world. Creation stood still.
To restore balance, Lord Shiva created Gulikan—from the tip of his left toe.
Gulikan, bearing the trident of justice and the rope of karma, was tasked with overseeing life and death. He became the divine observer, the executor of cosmic order, and the protector of sacred transitions. To this day, he is worshipped to overcome fear of death, to heal serious illnesses, and to conquer insurmountable challenges.
Maarana Gulikan Theyyam: The Sacred Embodiment
Out of the 101 known forms of Gulika, only a few are ever performed as Theyyam. Maarana Gulikan is among the rarest, and perhaps the most spiritually intense. The ritual is performed by the Malayar community, who channel centuries of tradition and spirit into every movement, every chant.
The Theyyam is not just a performance—it is a divine descent. The dancer is no longer a man but a vessel, as Gulikan himself takes form to bless, warn, and transform his devotees.
Kurukootti village in Payyannur, Kannur, holds a unique place in this tradition. It was here that the spirit of Maarana Gulikan was discovered through astrological revelations—demanding a consecrated space for worship. The Kurukootti Maarana Gulikan Temple was born out of necessity, but grew into a beacon of hope and spiritual purification. Each year, the Theyyam performed here draws hundreds of seekers, each carrying prayers, fears, and hopes.
A Dance of Death and Rebirth
To witness Maarana Gulikan Theyyam is to stand before death and feel no fear. It is to see the divine in its fierce form and recognise it as compassion in disguise. It is to offer your ego into the fire and rise again, reborn in silence and light.
For those on the path of the spirit, this is not folklore—it is guidance. It is a call to awaken, to dissolve, and to evolve.
And as the final beats of the Chenda fade into the night, something deep within remains stirred—forever changed by the touch of Gulikan.