VISHNUMURTHY
Vishnumurty is a popular spirit in the southern part of the district in the areas adjoining the state of Kerala. The Vishnumurthy cult is imported from the Malayalam speaking area of the neighbouring states. God Vishnu had vanquished the demon Hiranyakashipu in his incarnation as Narasimha. Then to atone the sun of killing the demon, Narasimha had fallen into fire. In memory of that mythological event the ardent devotes known as belcappaads walk on fire and the chief impersonator falls into burning charcoal several times during the annual festival known as Ottekkoola which is celebrated in the regions of Kasargod Sulya and Puttur.
A jack fruit tree is cut one month before the celebration. Firewood is also collected from the house of devotees. It is heaped up in front of the shrine. On the day of the koola the impersonator and the cult members sing the heroic deeds of God Vishnu in his different incarnation especially in incarnation of Narasimha and when they narrate the episode of Narasimha breaking open the pillar the impersonator and the cult members get possessed and run towards the heap of firewood and set fire to it and hit their heads with swords. This is followed by the taking the ceremonial oil bath. With elaborate ornamentation and facial make-up the impersonator then performs dance known as kulcattu depicting different incarnation of lord Vishnu. The cult members go to the different houses of locality to collect contribution. The heap of firewood is burnt and reduce to red cinders and well arranged in the form of a flat bed.
An umbrella-like and protruded gown of palm leaf flowing down the chest is worn by the impersonator. Looking ferocious with red face, black lines, and a long cap-like structure he jumps into fire several times both in upwards and downwards posture. Each time he falls into fire, his body is dragged out from the fire by the devotees. After repeated request from the chief organizer and other devotees he stops his dreadful feats. Other cult members walk on the several times. Offerings of fowl, coconut, rice, saffron water etc, are made to the spirit and the impersonator deliver the message of the spirit.