Pre-Vedic Tamil guardian deity whose shrines stand at village boundaries marking settlement from wilderness; he patrols his domain at night on a white stallion, protecting people, cattle and crops and bringing rain. Worshipped with votive terracotta horses; usually enshrined with 21 sub-deities.
Domains
village boundary guardianship
rain and harvest
Powers
Patrol the village bounds by night on horseback
Protect villagers, cattle, and harvest from calamity
Epithets
ஐயனார்
சாஸ்தா
Sources
Hero-stones of hunting chieftains, Arcot, Tamil Nadu (c. 3rd century CE)