About this Sacred Grove

Sathangudi Periyandavar is worshipped as the ancient and foremost guardian deity of Sathangudi village in Melur Taluk, Madurai District, Tamil Nadu. Periyandavar, meaning the 'Great Elder', is considered the first protector of the village and is believed to be a powerful form of Lord Shiva as Kshetra Palaka, who established the boundaries of the village. As per local legend, during the early settlement of Sathangudi, the villagers were distressed by evil spirits and crop failures. An old saintly figure appeared in the dream of the village head, with matted locks, sacred ash, holding a staff and accompanied by dogs, and revealed that he had been residing in a dense grove at the edge of the village since time immemorial. He assured that if they worshipped him as their Periyandavar, he would protect them from all harm. The villagers went to the indicated spot and found a stone idol smeared with vibhuti under a huge banyan and neem grove, surrounded by small terracotta dog figures. They built a shrine there and began worshipping him as Sathangudi Periyandavar. The grove is revered as highly sacred and no tree is felled even today. It is believed that Periyandavar watches over the village day and night, delivering swift justice, curing ailments and ensuring peace and prosperity for Sathangudi.

Location

Coordinates: 9.8501960, 77.9372350

Plants / Species (3)