Vishnumoorthi

Vishnumoorthi is a hunting deity later incorporated into Vaishnava concepts. Vishnumoorthi Theyyam is also performed as Vayal Theyyam under the name Ottakkolam. The main ritual is fire entry. In the household performance of Vishnumoorthi Theyyam, the main feature is the fierce form of Narasimha rather than fire entry. The ritual of drinking the blood of Hiranyakashipu and the false face of Narasimha is performed, and then the theyyam ends with a small-scale fire entry. Light offerings are mandatory for this theyyam. The performer, without much facial painting or elaborate costumes, recites the thottam and performs the ritual dance called Kulichattam, which is done long before the appearance of the theyyam. This is also known as Thottam.