Kondrayandi Ayyanar

Kondrayandi Ayyanar

By

P.R.Ramachander

Once upon a time a particular caste of people lived in side a fort is Sri Vaikundam of Thirunel veli district. They were particular that their women should never come out of the fort. But once the fort caught fire and many people along with Families fled the fort. But those who stayed in side were able to put out the fire. Later they did not allow those who fled from the fort during the fire. So all those who were expelled from the fort went in search of a place to stay long with their God Ayyanar. They reached a village called Maravan Kulam which is near Sri Villiputhur of the Virudunagar district. That area was a forest of Pandanus flowers and Konrai flowers (Ixora). They consecrated Ayyanar below a Konrai tree by the side of a big pond in the forest. They also built huts for their stay and settled down there. From then on the Ayyanar was called Konraiyandi Ayyanar.
Since it was a forest area, there were lot of wild animals like deer, rabbit etc around the temple. Some hunters always hunted there. Once a group of hunters caught hold of a cow of the village and cut off its head. They kept the head in front of Ayyanar. When they were taking out the meat, the owners of the cow came there. Seeing the meat they suspected the hunters. But Ayyanar turned the head of the cow to a head of a deer. Thus the hunters were saved. From then on the hunters also started worshipping this Ayyanar.
The Ayyanar is with his wives Poorana kalai and Por Kodi. The statute of the king and queen of that area who dug the pond in that area are also worshipped in the temple. Coconut and rice are offered during worship to the king and the queen. Several gods like Lada Sanyasi, Seven maidens, Pathinettam padi karuppar, Rakachi Amman, Pechi Amman are also consecrated in the temple. Two Boothas stand on both sides of Ayyanar to guard him.
The festival for Ayyanar is on Shiva Rathri day. That night Abhisheka is done four times. In the morning there is a feast. In the month of Aani (June -July) The Ayyanar is bathed by three types of fruits viz Mango, Jack, and Banana. Between April-June the hunters also conduct a special worship of this Ayyanar. There is a Nelli (gooseberry plant) in the temple. Omen worship this tree and pray for children on Sundays. When the child is born, if it is a male, he is called Konraiyandi and if it is a girl she is called Pechiyamma.
Outside the temple Kaladi stands as a security guard below a Tamarind tree. Since the people who brought the Ayyanar were vegetarians, only Vegetarian food is offered to the Ayyanar. For the other security guards some times animals are sacrificed.
On Wednesdays and Saturdays the temple would be open from morning to evening. On other days it is open from 10 Am to 12 noon.