Ayikudi

 

This ancient Murugan temple located at Ayikudi near Sengottai near Tirunelveli-Tenkasi-Kutralam, has been revered by the Tiruppugazh hymns of Arunagirinathar.

This small temple enshrines Balasubramanyar – the youthful form of Subramanyar, seated on a peacock. This image was discovered buried in this spot, and the temple was constructed upon unearthing the image in the 13th century. It has been renovated later by the royalty of Travancore. Balasubramanyar has been installed under five trees, amidst five Gods – Ganesha, Shiva, Parvati, Vishnu and Surya. The festival image here goes by the name Muthukumaraswamy.

Worship services carried out here, resemble those of Kerala. Paal Payasam is the prasadam offered here, especially to children nearby, and local belief has it that Balasubramanyar partakes payasam as one among the several children. Skanda Sashti is celebrated in great splendour here.

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