The blood-curdling Bhairavan Theyyam of Lord Shiva
“Bhairavan”means terrifying. Lord Shiva, the god of destruction and rebirth. His eyes are covered with a silver eye-mask. In spite of being able to see only through a small slit, the Theyyam moves around with fury. The scene is like that of a momentous ceremonial offering. The representatives of the worshippers form a procession and offer the rice to the Theyyam, who in turn, gives them a fistful back. The rice, including the rice distributed to the participants watching from here, is thrown into the temple all at once on a signal. Lord Shiva throws the rice into the fire.