Timeless tradition

Small terracotta figurines of a horse, cow and "madhalai" (infant) at the Ayyanar temple at Kottur Melavasal in Pudukottai district.

An array of terracotta horses at the Ayyanar temple at Kottur Melavasal.

Karu. Rajendran, a retired schoolteacher, epigraphist and an authority on the history and archaeology of Pudukottai district, seen with the terracotta horses of Kottur Melavasal Ayyanar temple.

An 18-feet tall stucco "seema kudirai" at the Villakkada Ayyanar temple at Rendivayal-Virachchilai village. The caparisoned horse is shown as emerging from a dragon's mouth.

Ayyanar depicted riding a horse. Villagers believe that Ayyanar protects them from evil spirits by keeping vigil at night. Painted and plain terracotta horses abound in this sacred abode of Ayyanar located in a scrub jungle on the outskirts of Nakkheeran Vayal.

A lavishly decorated elephant with howdah, carrying a king in all his regal splendour at Kulamangalam-Kannangudi Kovil.

Decorations on terracotta horses at Kulamangalam Kattu Kovil.

Thousands of terracotta horses lined up along the pathway to the Ayyanar temple at Ilangudipatti village.

At a sacred grove at Naarthamalai hill, a serene abode for Ayyanar.

A gallery of terracotta horses and cows near the Poi Solla Mei Ayyanar temple at Moolangudi.

The sanctum of Sammandha Karrupar at Kulamangalam hamlet. The human figurines represent those killed in a riot that took place in the area 500 years ago.

Seated Karuppars, embellished with moustaches and ornaments at the Ayyanar temple at Urapatti village.

The potter P. Prabakaran, who is the priest at the Poi Sella Mei Ayyanar temple, with a terracotta cow he had made.

A 20-foot tall stucco sculpture of a caprisoned elephant in front of the Azhagar Ayyanar temple at Saluppai village in Ariyalur district.

The Urappatti Ayyanar temple has a remarkable accumulation of big terracotta horses with applique decorations, such as the one portraying Gajalakshmi.

C. Mariappan, the potter of Urappatti at his kiln.

Terracotta hoses and Saptamatrikas (seven mother goddesses) at Odugampatti village.

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Terracotta horses offered as part of "puravi eduppu" at the Ayyanar temple at Kottur Melavasal in Pudukkottai district.