Kuttichathan Sacred Grove Ayiram Billa Ayyappa
The Ayiram-Billa Ayyappa deity (literally meaning "Ayyappa of a thousand arrows") is a unique, local variant of the deity Ayyappa worshipped in the Kiruguru located in the southern part of the Kodagu (Coorg) district, Karnataka.
StateKarnataka
DistrictKiruguru
LocationKuttichathan Sacred Grove
Area15.15 ha
Latitude12.1643000
Longitude75.9221000
About this Sacred Grove
The presence of powerful folk deities like Ayiram-Billa Ayyappa acts as an informal conservation tool. Strict traditional taboos prohibit felling trees, lopping branches, clearing fallen wood, or harming wildlife inside the grove. Local faith dictating that offenders will face divine retribution has successfully kept these highly biodiverse, evergreen microclimates intact amidst surrounding commercial coffee plantation.
Location
Coordinates: 12.1643000, 75.9221000
Open in Google Maps ↗Plants / Species (3)
Banyan
Ficus benghalensis- Individual Count
- 1
Jackfruit
Artocarpus heterophyllus- Individual Count
- 1
Sacred Fig
Ficus religiosa- Individual Count
- 1