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Ayyanar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ayyanar (Tamil: ஐயனார் or அய்யனார்) is a regional Tamil male deity who is popular among the rural social groups of South India, specifically Tamil Nadu. The deity is also popular among most Hindus and some Buddhists in Sri Lanka. He is identified as a Kaval Deivam (guardian angel). Ayyanar temples are found in almost every minority Tamil village in Sri Lanka.
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In ancient Tamilakam people venerated Veerarkal, stones erected in memory of fallen warriors. Veerakal that have fully morphed into cultic shrines can be found across South India and especially Tamil Nadu.
Ayyanar shrines are usually located at the 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 and derive from local lineages that had initiated the cult centers generations ago.
The worship pattern is non-agamic and is associated with sacrificial offerings of food, and even animals such as chicken and goats, for favors. In return the local priest might offer flowers or Veeputi (holy ash) to the worshippers.
A deity with a similar sounding name and origin, Ayyappan, is very popular among the people of neighboring Kerala. Due to the newly emerging popularity of this deity among Tamils in Tamil Nadu and the diaspora, some Ayyanar shrines have been turned into Ayyappan temples, especially in Canada[citation needed].
Owing to assimilation and syncretism, Sinhalese buddhist people of Sri Lanka also venerate Ayyanar, calling him Ayyanayake.
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