Temples are generally found on the edges of villages, free from the usual monumental buildings found around South India. Their religion, although Hindu, exists more as a clan-based worship system.
The population of predominantly potter caste villagers has worshiped Ayyanar since ancient times. Yet upon arrival, my travel partner and I discovered one of the most fascinating, spiritual, and peaceful sights to date. Vedic laws state a complete temple must have a roof and finial in order to house the essence of the gods. To say this destination is a temple that doesn’t fit the traditional model of what tourists come to expect. Located several kilometers from the villages of Chettinad, a region in Central Tamil Nadu known for its pottery, tilework, and unique spicy foods, lies an Ayyanar temple. Beginning from the dusty village road, the horses continue on past trees and shrubs for several minutes where it finally deposits visitors in a dead end. He is known as the protector of rural villages and interestingly, the priests are usually non-Brahmins. In South India, particularly Tamil Nadu, the Hindu village god Ayyanar is a popularly worshiped deity. Immediately we were in sight of more than 1000 terracotta horses which line the drive. Facebook Twitter Reddit Pinterest Email WhatsApp LinkedIn Ayyanar Templeįortunately, our Tamil native driver knew the way along back roads to this location whose name, if any, has been worn clean from decades of weather.
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