DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.636#0231
Worship of Ayenar. 219
terra-cotta figures of horses and other animals—often of life-
size—on which he is supposed to ride when keeping guard.
His image is that of a human form painted a reddish colour
and very roughly carved, sometimes in a sitting posture,
sometimes on horseback. When properly represented, he
ought to have a crown on his head, the Saiva mark on his
forehead, a sceptre in his hand, and ornaments on his person.
Often images of Ganesa are placed near him. He has two
wives (known by the names PuranI and Pudkala), who
generally sit on each side of him, and take an active part
in driving away demons, especially at night, when like their
husband they ride about the fields on horses. It is on this
account that no villager in Southern India likes to be out in
the fields at night, and on no account will any one pass near
the shrines of Ayenar and his wives after dark. If any
venturesome person happens to cross their path when they
. are careering about the fields, he is liable to be taken for an
evil spirit and slain.
After recovery from sickness, or to commemorate any piece
of good-fortune, the villagers place fresh clay horses round
the shrine of Ayenar, as thank-offerings or in fulfilment of
vows. He is also at such times propitiated by offerings of the
blood of swine, goats, sheep, cocks and other animals, or by
cooked food and libations of strong liquor.
If cholera or pestilence of any kind breaks out, the villagers
redouble their offerings to the priests of the shrine, who are
generally very poor and of the lowest caste, and are very glad
to receive any money or consume any eatables that may be
offered to the god.
I examined with great interest many shrines of Ayenar in
Southern India, and particularly one at Permagudy, on my
way from Madura to Ramesvaram. It was situated close to
a grove of small trees not far from the village. Under a
rough stone canopy was a rudely carved stone male idol.
The wives of the god were not represented, but about twenty-
terra-cotta figures of horses and other animals—often of life-
size—on which he is supposed to ride when keeping guard.
His image is that of a human form painted a reddish colour
and very roughly carved, sometimes in a sitting posture,
sometimes on horseback. When properly represented, he
ought to have a crown on his head, the Saiva mark on his
forehead, a sceptre in his hand, and ornaments on his person.
Often images of Ganesa are placed near him. He has two
wives (known by the names PuranI and Pudkala), who
generally sit on each side of him, and take an active part
in driving away demons, especially at night, when like their
husband they ride about the fields on horses. It is on this
account that no villager in Southern India likes to be out in
the fields at night, and on no account will any one pass near
the shrines of Ayenar and his wives after dark. If any
venturesome person happens to cross their path when they
. are careering about the fields, he is liable to be taken for an
evil spirit and slain.
After recovery from sickness, or to commemorate any piece
of good-fortune, the villagers place fresh clay horses round
the shrine of Ayenar, as thank-offerings or in fulfilment of
vows. He is also at such times propitiated by offerings of the
blood of swine, goats, sheep, cocks and other animals, or by
cooked food and libations of strong liquor.
If cholera or pestilence of any kind breaks out, the villagers
redouble their offerings to the priests of the shrine, who are
generally very poor and of the lowest caste, and are very glad
to receive any money or consume any eatables that may be
offered to the god.
I examined with great interest many shrines of Ayenar in
Southern India, and particularly one at Permagudy, on my
way from Madura to Ramesvaram. It was situated close to
a grove of small trees not far from the village. Under a
rough stone canopy was a rudely carved stone male idol.
The wives of the god were not represented, but about twenty-