These are kaval deivams of tamil nadu, the real hopes and security of tamilians..!

1. AYYANAR
&
KARUPPUSAMI.

2. 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.

3. Other names of Aiyanar include
Gajavahana and Satavahana.

4. Origins and
development
♥ 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.

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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. ♣ 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.

10. Ayyanar Temple at
Kalliampudur.

11. Gods of clay, men of
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.

12. ♫ 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.

13. • 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.

15. Ayyanar Temples in
Pondicherry

16. Ayyanar Temples in
Thiruvakkarai .

17. Ayyanar Temples in Chidambaram
and Anaikarai.

18. Some Ayyanar Temples.

20. OUR EXPEDITIONS.

21. THE RUINED
TEMPLE THAT WE
ADOPTED…….

22. THE RUINS OF THE
TEMPLE

23. THE CONDITIONS OF
THE KAVAL DEITIES
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.

24. • 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.

25. • 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

27. BY