Kutti Chathan-a weird name that evokes in the mind of the people, particularly Indians, a sense of dread and desolation, for the very name suggests an evil spirit. It is rather the equivalent of Shaitan of the Koran and the Satan of Bible—an embodiment of evil that drives people crazy and agonized. But the KuttiChathan of this place has rather an interesting legend behind it.This Kutti Chathan is not an evil spirit or genie but rather a benevolent angel, a minor god who is supposed to be the son of Lord Shiva himself (the great destroyer of Hindu Trinity)! He is the Indian Casper—a friendly ghost with an attitude to match.

According to the legend, an asura (Demon) called Bringasuran,performed a deep penance and pleased Lord Brahma.The Lord granted him a boon according to which the asura would not be killed by any mortal and that he would breathe his last only when his flanks were pierced with a totally unconventional weapon! Empowered with his peculiar boon, he became a menace to all living beings, especially Devas (the Divines).The long-suffering celestial citizens had to wait patiently for the day when Lord Shiva would hear their prayers and send his own son to destroy the demon!

Once Lord Shiva along with his consort Parvathi and the celestial wanderer Narada was visiting certain places on the earth, and. they finally reached a place in the jungle called Kooli.The TribalChief Marathan welcomed them and offered his hospitality.He also built a shelter for them.One day,Lord Shiva,the legend says, happened to see Kooli Vaagai ,the beautiful daughter of the king and he immediately fell in love with the forest Nymph.The escape from this mesy predicament, the girl sought the help of Devi Parvathi—the divine consort of Lord Shiva.Parvathi disguised as the tribal woman, fulfilled the desire of the Lord and from their union was born KUTTI CHATHAN,a smart little boy. When he know of the trick played on him, an embarrassed Lord Shiva left the baby boy with the tribal woman herself and asked her to send him to Mt.Kailash when he reached the age of seven.Kutti Chathan was a prodigy and learnt all the scriptures and other material arts fit for a King. He was hailed as Kutti Chathan by all the people.(In Malayalam language the word Kutti denotes a small boy or girl; and Chathan is derived from the Sastran meaning one who is a scholar well versed in all the scriptures ie,Sastras)

When Kutti Chathan saw a wild buffalo charging down on his mother Kooli Vagai.he pounced on the huge animal,controlled it and turned it into his mount(vahana).As soon as he reached the age of seven,his mother send him to his father Lord Shiva at Mt.Kailash so that the mission of his birth viz.,the destruction of the demon Bringasuran could be fulfilled.When Kutti Chathan entered the abode of his father,he was prevented by the Lord’s mount Nandi.However Kutti Chathan managed to get inside,disguising himself as Lord Vishnu himself.Shiva was immensely pleased to meet his son and he presented him with a peculiar weapon called Kuruvadi or Kuruvadi Chilambu—a piece of brass pipe fitted with cymbal –like brass plates and send him on his mission of destroying the asura.

Kutti Chathan waged a war against Bringasuran and killed him deftly using this special weapon Kuruvadi and killed him.After his victory his father Lord Shiva elaborated to him the bad days ahead during Kaliyuga when virtue would be overcome by vice and advised him to protect those who are the sufferers from evil spirits .He was asked to rush to the aid of the poor immediately. He taught him several aspects cosmogony, various ways of propitiating gods etc. Lord Shiva also informed Kutti Chathan that during the Thretha Yuga (a Hindu Era) Lord Vishnu would take the avatar of Rama and his wife Sita would be abducted by demon Ravaneswara. He advised Chathan to help Rama to vanquish Ravana.

Parvathi too, received her son Chathan with great jubilation and advised him to go to earth to help the helpless people from the various evils facing them. She also gave him the secrets of certain chants.