Aiyanar

Aiyanar
Guardian deity
Chola statue of Ayyanar
WeaponChentu (whip), sceptre, sword
MountWhite elephant, horse, bull[1]
ConsortPuranai, Puskalai

Aiyanar (IAST: Aiyaṉār, Tamil: ஐயனார்) is a Dravidian folk deity venerated in South India and Sri Lanka. His worship is prevalent amongst rural Tamil people.[2][3][4] Some studies suggest that Ayyanar may have also been worshipped in Southeast Asian countries in the past.[5] He is primarily worshipped as one of the village deities of Tamil Nadu.[6] Temples to Aiyanar in the countryside are usually flanked by gigantic colourful statues of him and his companions riding horses or elephants.[7][8]

  1. ^ Rao, S.K.Ramachandra (1988). Pratima Kosha : A Descriptive Glossary of Indian Iconography. Bangalore: Prof.S.K.Ramachandra Rao Memorial Trust. pp. 206–210.
  2. ^ Narayanan, Gita; Thiagarajan, Deborah (2001). DakshinaChitra: In southern district thanjavur, place called Sathanur where old temple for ayyanar is in place( Palankulathu ayyanar).A Glimpse of South India. Madras Craft Foundation. pp. 40–41.
  3. ^ Kulendiren, Pon (2012). Hinduism a Scientific Religion: & Some Temples in Sri Lanka. iUniverse. p. 188. ISBN 9781475936735.
  4. ^ Mãrg, Volume 37, Issues 3-4. Marg Publications. p. 67.
  5. ^ Pal, Pratapaditya (1986). "American Collectors of Asian Art". Marg Publications. 37: 67.
  6. ^ Christa Neuenhofer (2012). Ayyanar and Mariamman, Folk Deities in South India. Blurb Incorporated. ISBN 9781457990106.
  7. ^ Mark Jarzombek (2009). "Horse Shrines in Tamil India: Reflections on Modernity" (PDF). Future Anterior. 4 (1): 18–36. doi:10.1353/fta.0.0031. S2CID 191627473.
  8. ^ Dalal, Roshen (2010). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin Books India. p. 54. ISBN 9780143414216.