Tirupur: A few archaeological enthusiasts have recently discovered an 800-year-old Ayyanar carving at Erakarampatti village near Kundadam in the district. It is believed that since the village was a part of the ancient trade route that connected two port cities Muziris Pattanam and Poompuhar, the tribal traders could have worshipped the lord.The carving measuring around 120cm in breadth and 60cm in height was found beneath a neem tree at a private farm. The localites perform special puja on new moon day every month. S Ravikumar, K Ponnusamy, S Sadhasivam and S Velusamy of Virarajendran archaeological and historical research center worked on the discovery.About Ayyanar’s historical significance, team director of the research center S Ravikumar said, “The tribal people consider Ayyanar as the ‘leader of the tribes’ and worship him with utmost devotion. Such hero worship has been featured in Kalithogai, a Sangam literature work. Also, Vettuvar, a social group in Tamil Nadu is believed to have followed the culture.”Ayyanar worship was a part of the ancient ‘Siru Deiva’ worship before ‘Peru Deiva’ worship came into dominance after the beginning of Vijayanagaram Empire in mid-13{+t}{+h} century, he further said.“In this rock carving, Ayyanar was sitting in ‘Maharaja Leelasana’ posture on a throne. It means his right leg was folded horizontally while the left leg was folded vertically. His left hand was placed on the mounting knee of the left leg. The carving could belong to the 12{+t}{+h} century,” he said.Ravikumar added that the carving indicates that the half-naked lord was wearing eight types of ornaments, apart from having a weapon called ‘Senndu’. His two wives-Puranai and Puiskalai were seen on the bottom while two women servants were with Samaram on the sides. “Rajakesari Peruvazhi, an ancient trade route, was connecting the western port city Muziri Pattanam of Malabar and the eastern coastal city Poompuhar (present Nagapattinam). The route passed through Vellalore, Sulur, Kangeyam and Karur. Erakampatti was falling in the same route, which was one of three major ancient trade routes,” he mentioned.

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