About this Sacred Grove

Alapakkam Aiyanar Sacred Grove is located at Alapakkam village, Panruti Taluk, Cuddalore District. This is believed to be a guardian grove, dedicated to Periya Aiyanar, the kaval deivam of the village. According to folk tale, Aiyanar appeared in a farmer's dream riding a horse, promising to guard the fields and village from evil forces, and asked to be installed under the old neem and banyan trees. Aiyanar with his consorts Poorani-Porkalai is the main deity and Karuppu, Veeran, Muniswaran, Pechi Amman are the subordinate deities.The annual festival is in Panguni (March-April). Villagers offer clay horses, garland the deities and perform goat sacrifice and pongal cooking. People strongly believe Aiyanar patrols the village at night on horseback, wards off evil spirits and brings rain and prosperity.

Location

Coordinates: 11.6092820, 79.7229060

Plants / Species (4)