A partially buried stone sculpture of Ayyanar was unearthed at Sevanthilingapuram village near Musiri by R. Akila, Assistant Professor, Department of History, Arignar Anna Government Arts and Science College, Musiri, during an explorative study.
Under the guidance of her assistant P. Loganathan the people of the village helped remove the sand and mud around the sculpture to get a full view of the icon, which was identified as Ayyanar, said R. Kalaikkovan, Director, Dr. M. Rajamanikkanar Centre for Historical Research, in a release.
According to Dr. Kalaikkovan, the Ayyanar sculpture measures 94 cm in height and 78 cm in breadth and may belong to the fag end of the later Chola period. The Ayyanar is seated on a stone throne in a special posture described by the agamas as ‘utkudi asana,’ which is specific of Ayyanar. His right hand is planted on the seat whereas the left hand was left at ease on the left knee.
Naga type armlets and bangles decorated his hands. His right ear is left empty and the left is adorned with a heavy rolled palm-leaf which forms the ‘patra kundala.’
Two necklaces identifiable as ‘chavadi’ and ‘charappali’ are seen around the neck. Udarabandha , a broad band is wound around the stomach.
Short attire with a belt stitched with pearls decorates his hip. A well-ornamented dagger is seen tucked at the right side of his hip which is peculiar of this sculpture. Although dagger represents valour and was shown from the days of Pallavas in sculptural depictions, it is only a rare depiction not seen frequently.
M. Nalini, Associate Professor in History, Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College, said that Sevanthilingapuram, where the sculpture was found, might have been one of the villages that were included under Amurnadu in the Chola period. Epigraphical records collected from various villages of Tiruchi district indicate the prevalence of Ayyanar and Pidari worship during the Chola rule.
The lands that were gifted to the worship of such deities were named after them.