AYYANAR AYYANAR &&

KARUPPUSAMIKARUPPUSAMI..

Etymology and other names

The Tamil word Aiyānar is derived from the root word Aiyā which is a title often used by Tamils, Malayalees and Telugus to designate respectable

Generally it is thought to be derived from Proto-Dravidian term denoting an elder brother.

Another name for the deity is Aiyanar-Sasta or Sasta.Sasta is a generic Sanskrit term for a

teacher.

Other names of Aiyanar include Gajavahana and Satavahana.

Origins and Origins and developmentdevelopment

♥ The earliest reference to Aiynar-Shasta includes two or more hero stones to hunting chiefs from the Arcot district in Tamil Nadu.

♥ The hero stones are dated to the 3rd century C.E. It reads "Ayanappa; a shrine to Cattan.“

♥ This is followed by another inscription in Uraiyur near Tiruchirapalli which is dated to the 4th century C.E.

♥ From the Chola period (9th century C.E) onwards the popularity of Aiyanar-Shasta became even more pronounced.

Worship.Worship.

♪ The festivals of Ayyanars are celebrated in Sacred Groves during spring season by all the related clan.

♪ Ayyanar shrines are usually located at the peripheries or boundaries of rural villages and the deity is seen riding a horse with a sword

♪ Weapons such as a trident or a lance are also associated with the shrine.

♪ Most officiating priests are non-Brahmins

The worship pattern is non-agamic and is associated with sacrificial offerings of pure vegetarian food.

However animals such as chicken and goats are offered to few of the selected 21 associate deities (Kaval deivangal) such as Karuppa samy, Sudalai Maadan samy and some other Amman deities located within Ayyanar temple for favour.

In return the local priest might offer holy flowers or Veeputhi (holy ash) to the worshippers.

In South India, Aiyanar God worshipped in open grounds surrounded by trees holds an important position in the local villages because of the values installed in family and community life.

Aiyanar worship represents a non-Vedic form of worship

Aiyanar is often pictured riding on a white horse, fighting against demons and evil gods that are threatening the village.

♣ The Aiyanar temple priests are often from the Velar caste; the potters of Tamil Nadu

♣ An Aiyanar temple, various clay figure and idols reflects the social hierarchy which exists in the villages of Tamil Nadu.

♣ The gods are ranked according to the social and economical hierarchy in the village, and as in social life, the highest ranking gods are vegetarian, whereas the lower ranking ones are non-vegetarian.

Ayyanar Temple Ayyanar Temple at Kalliampudur.at Kalliampudur.

Gods of clay, men Gods of clay, men of craftof craft

Ayyanar with his whip and Karuppusami, his most important companion with a moustache and an aruval (a large sickle), are eternally vigilant and stand guard on the outskirts of the village.

♫ The principal deities — Ayyanar and consorts Pushkala and Purnakala — are sculpted in stone and enclosed in a small shrine.

♫ Other deities are made either in clay or stucco.♫ While the gods of stone remain inside the

shrine, gods made in clay are kept in open air.♫ Ayyanar and Karuppusami sit on horses as tall

as 20 feet and greet you at the entrance. At a few places like Mazhaiyur near Pudukottai, attendant gods like Semuni are not part of the Ayyanar temple but have their own place and votive horses.

• A handful of earth from the village is given to the priest who is also the potter.

• The clay is then chosen carefully and the earth given is mixed with it. Two kinds of clay are scooped from a relatively dried-up water body.

• In the wet bed, clayey earth locally known as Karambai and a little grainy sandy earth called Paruman are collected.

• It is then mixed with elephant dung and river sand in suitable proportions.

Ayyanar Temples Ayyanar Temples in Pondicherryin Pondicherry

Ayyanar Temples in Ayyanar Temples in ThiruvakkaraiThiruvakkarai.

Ayyanar Temples in Ayyanar Temples in Chidambaram and Chidambaram and

Anaikarai.Anaikarai.

Some Ayyanar Some Ayyanar Temples.Temples.

OUR OUR EXPEDITIONS.EXPEDITIONS.

THE RUINED THE RUINED TEMPLE THAT WE TEMPLE THAT WE

ADOPTED…….ADOPTED…….

THE RUINS OF THE THE RUINS OF THE TEMPLETEMPLE

Now a days people forget to follow their culture especially in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

We completely forget the (Kaval deivangal) such as Karuppa samy and Ayyanar.

Today the conditions of the ayyanar temples are in ruined and in pathetic condition.

THE CONDITIONS THE CONDITIONS OF THE KAVAL OF THE KAVAL

DEITIESDEITIES

• As this year is regarded as the Year of Biodiversity and Service, we adopt and implement new ideas to protect and ensure our culture and Mother Earth.

• We should not forget our culture. It is our responsibility to ensure the proper maintenance of these temples.

• In this way our school has provided us a great opportunity to visit these temples. They have planted a fresh embryo in our hearts which will grow into a prosperous tree which will provide a shade of our fabulous culture

BYBY