About this Sacred Grove

Nalladevanpatti Punnur Aiyanar is the ancient guardian deity of Nalladevanpatti village near Usilampatti, Madurai District. Aiyanar is worshipped as the king of the village boundaries and protector of people and cattle. Legend says when the village was tormented by theft and evil spirits at night, an elder dreamt of a majestic figure in royal attire with a white horse and hunting dogs, declaring that he is Punnur Aiyanar residing in the eastern grove. The next morning villagers found a large stone idol with horse statues and built a shrine. It is believed Aiyanar patrols the village on his horse at midnight with his parivar, ensuring safety, good rains and harvest, and punishes wrongdoers while blessing devotees with prosperity and courage.

Location

Coordinates: 9.9410140, 77.7893910

Plants / Species (6)