Among the pantheon of gods and goddesses of Indian mythology, there is a blue skinned equestrian ‘God’, often mistaken for the well-loved and universally popular deity, Krishna. A closer glance at the facial hair and the cobra around his neck however, suggested he might be Shiva: the destroyer. But the ‘vehicle’ is not the mighty Nandi bull. Ask the locals and they will tell you that he is actually Karuppu Sami – ‘the black deity’ and chief associate of the village guardian, Ayyanar.
As the
Among the pantheon of gods and goddesses of Indian mythology, there is a blue skinned equestrian ‘God’, often mistaken for the well-loved and universally popular deity, Krishna. A closer glance at the facial hair and the cobra around his neck however, suggested he might be Shiva: the destroyer. But the ‘vehicle’ is not the mighty Nandi bull. Ask the locals and they will tell you that he is actually Karuppu Sami – ‘the black deity’ and chief associate of the village guardian, Ayyanar.
As the principal guardian deity, Ayyanar is tasked with the protection of the village. He also grants boons and ensures bountiful rain and harvests. Sitting astride his shining white stallion with sword in hand, he is believed to fiercely fulfil his protective duty even today, patrolling his fiefdom each night.
And to show their gratitude, the locals in Ayyanar offer traditional votive offerings of terracotta horses. Crafted by attendant Velars (non-Brahmin potter priests, these horses are made of a mixture of clay and sand, shaped into a horse before being heated in kilns. These are then decorated and finally consecrated to Ayyanar.
The sight of hundreds of these beautiful clay steeds lining the drive is quite impressive and always a big hit with children. The stories and legends of these horses keeping watch during the night even after all these centuries is evocative and strangely reassuring. If time permits, we could organize a drop at a potter's home and you can get a front row seat to see the process of manufacturing these beautiful horses.
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