Kandanar Kelan was a warrior passing through a forest. Legend goes that he got caught in the midst of a forest fire and had to climb a tree for refuge. The tree housed two snakes, both of whom perished with the warrior. Vayanat Kulavan, another warrior god, saw Kandanar Kelan in the ashes and traced Kandanar Kelan with his bow, giving back his life. The theyyam is an embodiment of the Kandanar Kelan, expressing his anger towards the fire. The two snakes are drawn on the chest of the theyyam.
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<span class="int-own-work" lang="en">Own work</span>