A devotee patiently sits in front of the sanctum sanctorum of the Parassini Madappura Sree Muthappan Temple. The gold structure is adorned with fresh flowers. He bows down to pay his respects. A priest approaches with prasadam, and he excitedly wags his tail. His tail?
On the banks of the Valapattanam River, about 10 km from Kerala’s Kannur city, is a temple unlike any you’ve seen before — one for our furry four-legged friends. Dogs mingle and roam freely, even walking in and out of the Madappura as pujas are performed. Furry friends of all sizes roam fearlessly through the temple grounds, unfazed by the presence of worshippers.
A Theyyam performer, the human embodiment of Lord Muthappan, dressed in elaborate traditional attire, holds the pup and chants mantras. He blesses him with a pat and whispers in hushed tones; a sacred prayer. The dog-naming ritual is complete. “There is no fee or formal process for the dog naming ceremony here. Anyone can bring their pets during Thiruvappana Vellattam to seek Sree Muthappan’s blessings,” a temple official explained to South First. Dog parents from around the country flock to seek God’s protection for their fur babies.
For devotees of the rebel deity Muthappan, none of this is surprising. Muthappan, revered as the God of the poor and working class, enjoys offerings of palm wine and roasted fish, and dogs are his faithful companions; treated with reverence. Depicted in hunter’s garb, with a bow and arrow, Muthappan is a deity who embodies both Maha Vishnu and Param Shiva. He's a unifying figure who transcends traditional boundaries.
Dogs don’t just relax in the temple, but also rest by the shops that line the road leading to the temple. Shopkeepers provide food bowls for these beloved companions of Muthappan, offering them banana fritters, rice pancakes, and fried snacks. None of the dogs go hungry or thirsty. The canines in the temple are friendly and well-behaved, allowing children and adults alike to move freely without fear. Children from nearby schools even arrive at the temple for lunch and share space with the dogs.
Bronze statues of dogs stand as sentinels at the entrance to the temple, welcoming devotees. During special rituals, these canine sculptures are placed beside Muthappan’s idol in reverance of the deity. Prayers for the well-being of family members, including pets, are common in India, and many in Kerala seek Muthappan’s blessings for their dogs.
CK Chandrika, from the neighboring Kozhikode district, shared her story with South First of bringing her dog Julie to the temple after she recovered from a severe illness, seeking the deity’s continued protection.
Temple authorities take care of the dogs, ensuring they are well-fed and have a safe place to stay. However, they express concern over the increasing trend of people abandoning elderly or sick dogs at the temple, a practice they view as distressing.
The mythological tale of Muthappan and dogs is old as time. The deity, who was adopted by a feudal lord and his wife after they found him as an infant by a riverbank, was always accompanied by dogs. These loyal companions followed Muthappan as he roamed the forests, and his bond with them became a defining part of his divine identity.
Over the years, attempts to reduce the number of dogs within the temple grounds were met with resistance, both from devotees and, as some believe, from Muthappan himself. The decision was ultimately reversed, and the dogs continue to be a cherished presence at the temple; a living testament to the deity’s unique connection with them.
Muthappan’s devotees continue to honor this relationship, offering food and care to the dogs as an integral part of their worship, knowing that to reject the dogs would be to reject the deity himself.
If you enjoyed this, here's more from Homegrown:
The Bombay Dog Riots: When Mumbai's Parsis Rose Up In Defence Of The City's Strays
Black Tigers & Ancient Temples: A Homegrown Guide To Mayurbhanj, Odisha
Take Your Dog Camping With This Homegrown Eco-Tourism Company