Ayyanar / Sastha Worship in Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Ayyanar / Sastha  sculptures in temples of Villupuram was a part of Villupuram Heritage Walk organized by History Trails on 24^th and 25^th July 2021.

Like worshiping of Lord Shiva, Maha Vishnu worship Ayyanar worshiping cult exists from Ancient times ie from 3^rd Century. “Ayyan” ( Head of the family ) added with “ar” respectable suffix is given and called as Ayyanar. Ayyanar is believed to be the guarding deity and worshiped as Kula Deivam in many Villages. Usually Ayyanar will be with his wives Poorna and Pushkala. This Cult of worshiping Ayyanar was absorbed in Jainism and called Brahma Sastha.  The Old Ayyanar Cult in Tamil Nadu, with little modification called Ayyappan worship in Kerala. 

Perangiyur, Sri Chamundeshwari Amman Temple / Sri Samundeeswari Amman Temple / Shri Samundeeshwari Amman koil at Perangiyur, Villupuram District.

This headless Ayyanar is in the Mukha mandapam of Sri Chamundeshwari Amman Temple at Perangiyur. Ayyanar is in Rajaleelasana sitting posture, keeping the left leg down.  He wears Yagnopaveetha and Uthara Bandham. He is shown with an unidentified object on his right side hip.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Ayyanar Temple, Aviyur, Villupuram District.

This Ayyanar temple is on the left side of the Cuddalore to –Sankarapuram Main road at Aviyur. This Ayyanar is three pieces, buried up to hip level. Ayyanar is in sitting posture in Rajaleelasana (..? ). Ayyanar wears ornaments in the ears, neck  and utharabandaham. A Kattar is shown on the hip. Two devotees are shown on both sides of the Ayyanar of which one devotee is holding flower tray / basket. A Horse is shown on his right leg. A Horse stone sculpture is in front of this Ayyanar.  The Ayyanar may belongs to Pallava period.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Ayyanars of Tiruppur District in Kongu Nadu, Tamil Nadu.

காங்கேயம் முற்காலத்தில் வணிகப் பாதையில் இருந்த ஒரு ஊர். ரோமாணியர்களும் கிரேக்கர்களும் விலை உயர்ந்த கற்களுக்கும் இரும்பால் செய்யப்பட்ட சாமான்களுக்கும் ( கொடுமணல் ) கேரள கடற்கரை வழியாக வந்து வியாபாரம் செய்தனர். பல நாட்டு மக்களின் பழக்கங்கள் அவர்களின் வழிபாடு போன்ற தாக்கம் இங்கும் இருந்தது. அதில் அய்யனார் வழிபாடும் ஒன்று. நாம்  முன்பு பார்த்த அய்யனார் சிலைகளுக்கும் இன்று பார்த்ததிற்க்கும் நிறைய வித்தியாசங்கள் இருந்தது. இன்று பார்த்தவற்றில் அய்யனார் தனியாக இல்லாமல் தன்னுடைய துணைவியர் பூர்னா & புஷ்கலாவுடன் இருந்தனர்.  மேலும் இரு பெண்கள் சாமரம் வீசிக்கொண்டு இருந்தனர். அவற்றில் கண்டான் கோவிலில் இருந்த அய்யனார் வழிபாட்டில் இருக்கின்றார்.

Kangayam is on the ancient and latter trade route where Gems, iron articles were exported to Rome from Kodumanal areas through western sea shore ( Kerala ). Ayyanar is believed to be the protecting god and also gives prosperous in the Business. Some are with his consorts and some are individual. Except one the other are in the midst of fields or on open Ground.

Ayyanar at Kandiankoil.

This Ayyanar is at Kandiankoil on the back side of the Kandiswaran Kovil, Shiva Temple. This Ayyanar is with his consorts Poorna and Pushkala are under worship and is in good shape. In addition his consort samaratharis / whisk bearers are also shown. On the base Elephant, Dog and Deer are also shown. Ayyanar is shown with ornaments, badra Kundala, sannaveeram, head in Jadamandalam and sitting in a Uthkudikasanam.

Location  : CLICK HERE

Kampatheeswarar Temple, Chinnaripatti.

This Ayyanar is at Kampatheeswarar Shiva temple, believed to be of a Pallipadai temple. This Ayyanar panel measuring 85 Cm in height and 160 CM width. It has ( Vattezhuthu ) inscriptions of the back. This inscription records that this sculpture was by DevanenVetkovar, when Rajasinga Pallavar was in power as the local administrator of the region in the 10^th Century CE. The term “Vetko” was already found in Various explorations in the past, which means “Potter”. Hence the inscription indicates that the Ayyanar sculpture was sculpted by a potter named Devanen.  

It was told that this Ayyanar was unearthed during excavation at the temple. This Ayyanar is found broken in the middle. Ayyanar is shown with ornaments, badra kundala, Yaknopavitra and sitting in Uthkudikasanam with head having jadamandalam. His consorts on both sides and samaratharis are also shown. On the base a Pig and a deer are shown.

Location  : CLICK HERE

 

Sri Nageswarar Temple, Koduvai.

This Ayyanar is installed on the back side of the temple. Poojas are not performed. This Ayyanar is also sitting in Uthkudikasanam posture and shown with ornaments, wearing badra kundala and sannaveeram. Only Samaratharis are shown on the top.

Location  : CLICK HERE

Ayyanar at Pappini

This Ayyanar is in the midst of the fields. His consort is shown on his left side in standing posture. Ayyanar is shown in Uthkudikasanam sitting posture, holding Chendu on the right hand. Head is shown as Jadamandalam ( like ushnisha and Thiruvasi ).  Ornaments on the neck & hands, Yagnopaveetha and badrakundala in the ears are shown

Location  :  CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Arulmigu Karuvaludaya Ayyanar with Purana & Pushkala Temple at Idaikattur, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu.

10^th May 2019.

This Ayyanar temple is in the midst of sugarcane field at Idaikattur one of ancient village of Sivaganga District in Tamil Nadu.  Usually Ayyanar with Elephant as Vahana is called as Sastha or Sathan. He used to sit in a Rajaleelasana ie keeping left leg up with a yoga band ( yoga patti which passes through his hip ). He also holds a Chattai / Chentu ( crooked stick ) in his right hand. The worship of Ayyanar started since 3^rd Century. The worship of Ayyanar  and its Iconography took different forms in latter periods. At one stage the Ayyanar with his consorts Purana & Pushkala disappeared from worship, but still some temple Ayyanar is worshiped as Ayyappan.

Usually  in Villages the Ayyanar temples will be at the end of the Village, worshiped as a guarding deity of the Village. Ayyanars will be in pair with ferocious look holding long swords in their hand. In Kongu area they are used to called as Chinna Annan and Periya Annan. Animals are also sacrificed for these Ayyanars. The guardians are Maduraiveeran, Pavadairayan, Karuppaswamy, etc.

Due to intrusion of  sanskrit  the worship of Ayyanar and Iconography also changed in large extent. Ayyanar has become Saththan and latter Sastha. Slowly from 12^th Century, Ayyanar has become Ayyappan.

 

IDAIKATTUR ARULMIGU KARUVALUDAIYA AYYANAR TEMPLE:

The Ayyanar temple  is facing east with two gigantic  horses on that Karuppaswamy and Maduraiveeran are sitting. Dwarf assistants are shown at the base of the horse.  The sanctum sanctorum consists of Sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. Elephant vahana with balipeedam are in the mandapam. Dwarapalakas, Vinayagar and Balamurugan are at the entrance of the sanctum. Ayyanar with his consort Purana Pushkala are in the sanctum. In Koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar and Durgai. A two tier Vimana is on the sanctum.  The Vimana has the stucco images of Shiva forms. 

In the outer prakaram Sannadhi for Periya Nachi Amman, Siriya Nachiamman, Irulappa Swamy, Irulayi, ChinnaKaruppan, Periya Karuppan, Thottichi Amman, Samayan, Mariappan, Rakkayi Amman.

The original temple may belongs to 12^th Century and reconstructed to the present form and Jinortharana ashtabhandhana Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 24^th May 2015. Some sect of the people worships this Ayyanar as their Kula Swamy.

HOW TO REACH:

Town bus route nos  99F from Periyar bus stand, 99M from Mattuthavani bus stand  stops at Muthanenthal and from there share autos are available to Idaikattur. 

All the busses to Manamadurai from Madurai stops at Muthanenthal.

Nearest Railway station is Manamadurai.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Athikosa Memorial Stone Vinayagar & Ayyanar - Loose Sculptures of Kongu Nadu, Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu..

7^th December 2018.

ATHIKOSA MEMORIAL STONE
During our visit to the Kongu Chozha period Temples, near Dharapuram, Mr Thenkongu Sadhasivam, took us to this Adhikosa Memorial relief stone kept near a Shiva Temple at Kannadiputhur near Kozhumam & Udumalpet. This Athikosa Memorial relief stone has the reliefs on both sides. On one side, reliefs of Elephant, Horse,  tools and war weapons like, Angusa,  Knife, katar, arrow, bow, hammer,  etc,.The other side has the reliefs of Arrow, shield, bow, etc,.

It was told that during Chozha period, the Merchants were permitted to have their own army to safe guard their animals, goods from the robbers / thieves.  This sort of Athikosa memorial stones are erected on the trade route. As per the scholars this Arhikosa memorial Stone belongs to 10th to 11th Century. 

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

VINAYAGAR

Also we had seen a a beautiful Vinayagar statue on the banks of a water channel. It had damage on hands, head, pasa and ankusa.  etc,.

AYYANAR
Then we had seen an Ayyanar sculpture on the back side of the Shiva Temple on the same Village Kannadiputhur in the thorny bush. The Ayyanar is in sitting posture with left leg up with yoga patti. His consorts are not shown or sculptures are not seen in that area.

 

 ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Hero Stone / Nadukal / Veerakallu / செங்கம் நடுகற்கள், worshiped as Ayyanar, at Periakolapadi, Thiruvannamalai / Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

28^th October 2018.

Participated in the Chengam Nadu Karaikal Heritage visit near Thiruvannamalai, organized by Thiruvannamalai District Centre for Historical Research ( TCHR). The first Visit was to the Hero stones at Periakolapadi.  After the visit, while the other participants are busy in taking breakfast, near a Village Temple, few of us peeped inside that temple. So far we had seen that the hero stones are worshiped as Vediappan, But here it is different. The Villagers told that the temple is called as Ayyanar temple and the hero stone is worshiped as Ayyanar. An Ayyanar with Purna & Puskala statues are also kept on a pedestal under open to sky. It was told that, as per Ayyanar’s wish roof should not be provided. Ayyanar’s vahana, elephant(s) in stone are kept in a row offered by the devotees.

Found two more small shires for Ayyanar and Ayyappan. Since Ayyanar with vasthiram seemed to be odd, on a flat stone slab, we are curious to know the sculpture. The Village boys came to our rescue. They removed the vasthiram and shown the sculpture. To our surprise, it is a Pallava period Hero stone. The hero is in a standing posture and his head turned towards his left side with typical pallava period hair style.  The hero holds a katar ( Kuruval) in his right hand and a bow in the left hand.  Kendy  or the toddy pot is shown on the left side of the hero. A beautiful half dress with frills is shown from hip to knee. In addition to this there are two toranas shown on the top of the hero. This signifies that the hero must be a Chieftain or a small king under Pallava Dynasty.  A Shiva linga with sun and moon are shown on the top of the hero stone. It was told that this hero stone may belongs to 6^th to 7^th Century. But look in to the details like sun, Shiva  Linga, moon on the top and the  size of the bow, the hero stone might belongs after 16 - 17th century. 

It was told that a festival will be celebrated in the Tamil month Adi either on 1^st or 2^nd Friday from 18.00 hrs to mid night. Goats, cocks and pigs are sacrificed  to this Ayyanar.

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Kachabeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ கச்சபேஸ்வரர் கோயில், காஞ்சிபுரம் / Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

08^th April 2018

This is one of the 1000 and odd temples of Kanchipuram. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva,  also called as Kachaalai Udaiya Nayanar as per the inscriptions.

Moolavar    : Sri Kachabeswarar.

Consort      : Sri Sundarambigai

Some of the important details are…

The temple is facing east with an entrance through a 5 tier ( may  be built is 13^th century ) Rajagopuram on north side. Temple tank is on the right inside the complex.  Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are in front of main sanctum sanctorum. There is  also a 5 tier Rajagopuram at the entrance of  sanctum sanctorum.

In the inner prakaram sannadhi for Nalvar, 63var, Nandhikeswarar, Chandrasekar, Polla Pillayar, Murugan, Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Saraswathy, Navagrahas, Bairavar, Vishnu, Urchavars.

In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai. Moolavar is of sandstone  ( Prithvi Lingam ) and Somaskandar panel is on the back wall of moolavar.

In the 2^nd outer prakaram sannidhis for Yoga Siddheshwar, Gana siddheshwar, Sathurmukeswarar, Natarajar and Valli Devasena Subramaniar. 

In the 3^rd Prakaram  Ayyanar with Poornambika and Pushkala as Dharmasatha,  Lingabeswarar, Sathurpukeswarar, Sthala vruksham murukadi, Naagars under Peepal tree ( a Hero stone too ?... ), Ishta sidheswaran, Pancha sakthi Vinayagar, Durgai Amman Sannadhi, Bairavar and  Suryan ( rebuilt shrine with sand stone and granite stones with inscriptions ).

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Inscriptions  belongs to 10 – 11^th century  are available in Durgai Amman sannadhi, Suryan sannadhi and main sanctum speaks about various  donations given by Chozhas to this temple.  Even-though the temple was built  by Chozhas, latter renovated with mandapams during Vijayanagara Period.

 The sthala purana relief – Vishnu worships Lord Shiva as tortoise ( kacham )

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 Hrs to 11.30 Hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 Hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The temple is under the control of HR& CE Dept  and land line number is  044 2723 3384.

HOW TO REACH :

Very close to Bus stand about a KM  in Pillayarpalayam, on west Raja Street.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

REFERENCE : A book on Nagareshu Kanchi, a retrospective on Kanchipuram compiled by Prof Madhusudhanan Kalaiselvan.

Ayyanar as Dharmasatha

 with Poornambika and Pushkala 

 Nandhikeswarar

 Ambal embraces  Lord Shiva

 Veerabhadra

 Buddha reliefs 

Buddha reliefs 

Hero stone along with Nagars

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Poornambigai & Sri Pushkalambigai Sametha Ayyanarappa Swamy Temple, at Erode, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

11^th December 2017.

It was a long pending visit to this temple, since the opening time of the temple and my visit to Erode was not matched. The temple opens only two days in a week. Last week Friday ie 08^th December 2017, afternoon visited this temple.

Moolavar    : Sri Ayyanarappan

Consort      : Sri Poornambigai and Pushkalambigai.

Some of the important features of this temple are....

The temple is facing north with a mandapam at the entrance on the banks of Erodai ( Kalingarayan Channel ). Stucco horses Neelaveni and Sri Panchavarnam immediately after the entrance. Swing and Thulasi madam are in front of Mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. Guru Parasuramar is in the mandapam. 4 pillars with hanuman reliefs are in the mandaam.  Ayyanar is with Poornambigai and Pushkalambigai on both sides. Hanuman is in worshipping posture at the base of Ayyanar.

In the prakaram sannadhi for Sri Vellai amman & Sri Bommi Amman sametha Sri Madurai Veeran ( Stucco images ), Muthu Karuppana Swamy, Irulappan, Pechi Amman, Sangili Karuppan, Mamundi Periya Swamy, Ayyanar Kutti Poojari, Raja Ganapathy, Sri Palla karuppa Swamy, Sri Natrayan, Sri Santhana Karuppu, Sri Uthandi karuppu, Sri Akasa Karuppu, Vandiyur Karuppu, Muniyappan, Sri Pambatti Muni, Sri Vaalmuni, Sri Pormuni, Sri Kongalamman, Nagars, Kannimar and palipedam.

It was told that the temple belongs to 11^th to 12^th century and constructed with bricks. To prove it's antiquity  of the temple there is a “Kazu maram” and worshiped as Kathavarayan. With this the temple must exists much before 11^th Century. It was told that during Saiva and Jains ( Samanars ) religions conflict this kazhumaram was used to kill the persons who lost in the debate or defeat ( கழுவேற்றம் ) as a punishment. It is also believed that the dead man's athma lives in the kazhumaram. This kazhumaram was made of Palm tree. This kazhuvetra punishment is available as sculpture in many temples. But experts of the opinion that there is no evidence to prove this Kazhuvetra punishment was given after defeat, especially to the Jains or Samanars during Saiva and Jains conflict. 

A 7 days festival, from Maha ShivaRatri in Tamil Masi Months will be celebrated in grand manner.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs on Monday and Friday. And on No moon day  06.30 hrs to 13.00 hrs and 16.00 to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

Poojaris K Mari muthu 9788973849 and V Mariappan 9842646368 and general numbers 9345408873 and 9488336639 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on the banks of Erodai at Marapalam, Erode.

About 3 KM distance from Erode Bus Terminus.

Autos are available from Erode Bus Terminus.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

 View of the temple through the entrance mandapam arch

 Sri Pambatti Muni, Sri Vaalmuni, Sri Pormuni

 Is this Lion Pillar belongs to Pallava Period?

Kazhumaram (கழு மரம் ) as Sri Kathavarayan

Kazhuvetram ( கழுவேற்றம்) – reliefs from Chidambaram Sri Natarajar Temple 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---