About this Sacred Grove

Sundarar Padi Aiyanarappan Sacred Grove is located at Sundarar Padi village, Vriddhachalam Taluk, Cuddalore District. This is believed to be a guardian grove dedicated to Aiyanarappan, the protector of the village boundary. According to folklore, Aiyanarappan, a powerful chieftain from neighbouring forest, came hunting on his horse and stayed back to guard villagers from dacoits and wild animals. Impressed by his valour, villagers enshrined him as kaval deivam. Aiyanarappan with Poorani-Porkalai is the main deity and Karuppasamy, Veeran, Agni Veeran, Pavadairayan are subordinate deities. The annual festival is in Chithirai (April-May). Devotees offer terracotta horses, cook pongal and perform goat sacrifice. People believe Aiyanarappan rides at night to protect crops, prevents epidemics and ensures village welfare.

Location

Coordinates: 11.7496130, 79.6879920

Plants / Species (5)