Vettakkorumakan – a Hindu deity worshiped in Tamil Nadu & Kerala, especially northern regions. The name literally translates as “a son from a hunt”. As per myths, he is the son of Shiva & Parvati, and worshiped as a deity for hunting in both these states. Vettakkarumakan is the exact name, but now pronounced as Vettakkorumakan.
Vettayikkaran and Vettayikkoru Makan are considered two different divine concepts. Vettayikkoru Makan is believed to be the son born to Parvathi from Shiva in his Kiratha Moorthy form (Vettayikkaran). Read more about the two Vettayikkaran temples of Malappuram district, dedicated to Lord Shiva in Kiratha Moorthy form.
Vettakkorumakan – The Hunter God of Hinduism
As per myths, he was born to Shiva & Parvati, who took the form of hunters while delivering the Pasupata weapon to Arjuna. Most worshiped in the Malabar region (North Kerala), he is a common character in the Theyyam traditional dance forms too. There are many temples dedicated to him in Malabar & Tamil Nadu, & some royal families consider him as their family deity too. When Shiva took Kirata form to give Pasupata to Arjuna, Parvati accompanied him as a huntress. They wandered in forests in this form for a period, & Vettakkoru Makan was born during this time. The boy was very mischievous, indulged in hunting, killed asuras & even troubled Devas & sages. They first approached Brahma. As he is Shiva’s child, HE couldn’t do anything.
When they approached Shiva, he dismissed him saying he was a kid, only mischievous. Later, they approached Vishnu. He took the form of an old hunter & went to the boy, showing him Churika, a double-edged sword. The boy got attracted to it & asked him. Vishnu agreed to give him the weapon on the condition that he would never harm people, but instead protect them. He took Churika and moved from Kailasa to Kerala. The first place he reached is the Balussery Fort of Malabar & his most famous temple is also situated here. Churika is also worshiped as Vettakkorumakan’s weapon in Malabar.
As per myths, he travelled to many places. Later temples were built here. In the Pazhavangadi Ganapati temple at the capital city of Kerala, he is a sub-deity. He is worshiped mostly in the North-Western areas of Tamil Nadu, sharing borders with Kerala. Ramanthali, Nileshwar, Kottakkal, Nilambur, Karaparamba, etc., are some of the places where temples have been built for him.
Recent Comments