Sacred Groves of Tamilnadu PDF

SACRED GROVES OF T A M I L N A D U
- A SURVEY
SACRED GROVES
OF T A M I L N A D U
A SURVEY
© 2005 C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre, Chennai
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SACRED GROVES
OF T A M I L N A D U -
A SURVEY
by
M. Amirthalingam
published by
C.P.R. E n v i r o n m e n t a l E d u c a t i o n Centre
Chennai
FOREWORD
Sacred Groves represent an ancient Indian conservation tradition,
protected by local people out of reverence and respect, fear and
sentiment. They are the home of the local flora and fauna, a
veritable gene pool and a m i n i biosphere reserve. W i t h i n these
groves are locked ancient secrets of herbs and traditional medicine,
primitive practices of sorcery and magic.
The Sacred Groves were the home of the Mother Goddess and
her warriors, a spirit world to which people offered terracotta
figures, particularly horses on which Ayyanar rode around the
village at night.
Conservation, both at the macro or the micro levels, is essential
for our survival. The take over of forests by the various State
Governments has not been very successful, as it has alienated the
people who have conserved them for years. O n the other hand,
when local communities have preserved their natural resources by
setting a system of rules and taboos, it has very effectively preserved
the same resources. The sacred groves are one such example.
India has a great tradition of conservation of natural resources.

Reverence for rivers and lakes kept them clean, the sanctity attached
to hills and mountains kept intact, the belief i n the divinity of
living organisms - people, animals and plants - preserved the
forests and maintained the intricate web of life. Unfortunately,
this reverence has been insulted and overshadowed by a system of
development which is alien to Indian culture. I f one single strand
of the web is broken, the web collapses. As we pump sewage into
the Ganga, deforest the hills for tea estates and destroy forests
for paper industries, we are left with the problem of diminishing
natural resources.
^6 Sacred Groves of T a m i l n a d u
There has been a certain amount of debate as to whether the

sacred groves should be brought under the Forest Department.
This would be disastrous as it would alienate local people and
present community conservation efforts would vanish. What is
necessary is a National Policy which would recognise sacred groves
as a mark of traditional Indian culture, respecting social and
religious sentiments and as the repository of rural biodiversity,
and ensure that their present status as community property w i l l
be inalienable for all time.
Mr.M. Amirthalingam has done yeoman's service in surveying

the sacred groves of Tamilnadu. He personally visited all the groves
which he has listed and took detailed floristic surveys of some of
them. While there are undoubtedly many more, the present survey
gives us a very good picture of the nature and characteristics of
the kovilkaadugal of Tamilnadu. It requires the dedication and
efforts of young people like M r . Amirthalingam to study and
record the wealth of the groves for future generations.
Dr.N a n d i t h a Krishna
H o n . Director
C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre
Chennai
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I am grateful to Dr. Nanditha Krishna, Hon. Director, C.P.R.
Environmental Education Centre, for her valuable guidance and
help during my research. This book would not have been possible
but for her encouragement.
My sincere thanks go to my colleagues: Mrs. Javanthi Prabhakaran
for editing and producing the publication, Ms. S. Gowri, M r . T.
Ramesh, M r . Y. Rushendrakumar and M r . H . Manikandan for their
work on the computer, Mrs. Christina Isaac for the design and
artwork, Mr. Sekar and Mr. Muniyan for the printing and my
colleagues Mrs. S.P. Vijayakumari, M r . P. Sudhakar, Dr. V.Bhavani
Shankar and M r . U . Thirunavukkarasu who aided the research and
checked my manuscript.
I am grateful to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests,

Government of Tamilnadu, M r . V.R. Chitrapu, for his help and
cooperation i n the survey of the groves w i t h i n the forest areas,
Mr. K. Panneerselvam, DFO, Madurai and M r . M . Kumaravelu
for conducting me around the groves i n the Madurai and Nilgiri
districts respectively.
This book is my offering to the Sacred Groves of Tamilnadu -

a cultural and ecological heritage of India.
Chennai M . Amirthalingam
CONTENTS
Foreword 5
Acknowledgements 7
Introduction 11
PART I SURVEY O F SACRED GROVES I N T H E

DISTRICTS O F T A M I L N A D U 19
Coimbatore District 21
Cuddalore District 23
Dharmapuri District 25
Dindigul District 29
Erode District 31
Kanchipuram District 34
Kanyakumari District 36
Karur District 38
Madurai District 41
Nagappattinam District 43
Namakkal District 45
Nilgiri District 47
Perambalur District 51
Pudukkottai District 56
Ramanathapuram District 59
Salem District 61
Sivaganga District 63
Thanjavur District 65
Teni district 67
Tiruchirappalli District 69
10 Sacred Groves of T a m i l n a d u
Tirunelveli District 73
Tiruvallur District 76
Tiruvannamalai District 78
Tiruvarur District 82
Tuticorin District 84
Vellore District 87
Villupuram District 89
Virudhunagar District 91
PART II FLORISTIC S T U D Y O F SELECTED

SACRED GROVES 93
Benagudi Shola 94
Sittannavasal 100
Puthupet 104
Udaiyankudikadu 108
Tirukurungudi 112
Devadanam 119
Conclusion 124
Bibliography 127
Appendixes 128
Chronology of Tamilnadu 150
Glossary 151
INTRODUCTION
The sacred groves or k o v i l k a a d u g a l of Tamilnadu are a part of the

local folklore and religion. Every village has a grove, a protected area
associated with local folk deities of obscure origin. In Tamilnadu,
the sacred grove is an essential part of the village. Every village
has at least an acre of land dedicated to the grove, the Amman
shrine and Ayyanaar, where people make their offerings of terracotta
horses and other animals. It is rare to find a sacred grove without
the Amman shrine, Ayyanar and the terracottas.
Sacred groves are small patches of forest left untouched by the
local inhabitants to be protected by the local village folk deities.
Several such groves are reported in many parts of India. These
groves now play a vital role in the conservation and preservation of
species diversity. Sacred groves are the last remnants of the native
vegetation of each particular region. They probably indicate the
heroic efforts made by local communities to protect and preserve
their natural forest tracts against the onslaught of the clearing of
forests for cultivation and settlement.
Deities
Most of the deities seen in villages are small and stand alone
surrounded by lofty trees and shrubs. The spot generally chosen
for such shrines is among shady trees near a flowing brook. In
woods and forests sometimes just a slab of stone indicates the
abode or even the deity, and from such stones sounds are said
to arise and scare the neighbourhood. Clay figures of large and
small horses, elephants, dogs and other animals or objects are
arranged in rows under the shade of the trees. Almost all the
villages, have their own deities. The sacred grove includes a shrine
of the goddess or Amman, several male attendants (one of whom
may be a consort), Ayyanar with his terracotta horses, elephants
and bulls (and occasionally, other animals) and a small pond,
natural or artificial.
The people of the village make votive offerings of terracotta
horses, bulls or elephants to Ayyanar, the watchman of the village,
in fulfillment of vows undertaken for a good harvest or good health.
The priest at the village shrine is the potter who represents the
cyclic powers of mother earth.
The groves are generally dedicated to Amman in her various forms
as goddesses of fertility and good health. Next to Mariamman, the
most worshipped deity of the groves is Ayyanar, a sort of watchman
of the village patrolling it every night, mounted on a ghostly steed,
warding off evil spirits. He always has a separate shrine, and is
not, like the male deities, simply an attendant of a local goddess.
Terracotta horses are offered to h i m by devotees, and represent the
steeds on which he rides on his nightly rounds. He is regarded by
the villagers as a good and benevolent protector.
The grove belongs to the temple or shrine of the mother goddess,
which is why it is called the kovilkaadu. She appears i n several
forms, depending on local folklore. However, these are variations
of a few main goddesses, such as :
• K a l i - the fierce protectress of people from demons and evil spirits

• M a r i - feared for her bad temper and anger which cause diseases and
calamities, particularly small pox. She is worshipped i n order to prevent
calamities, rather than to solve them.
• E l l a i - the protector of the village boundaries. She is sometimes identified

w i t h the headless Renuka, the wife of Jamadagni, who was beheaded by
her son Parashurama when she was perceived by her husband to have
lost her chastity.
• P i d a r i - the guardian against evil spirits and epidemics, particularly

cholera. She is followed by a host of devils, the spirits of those who die
unnatural deaths (such as murder, suicide, drowning, hanging, etc.)
• A n g a l a m m a n o r A n g a r a m m a n - the angry and destructive goddess of fire

( a n g a r a = coal i n Sanskrit). She is a favourite of women who worship
her by lighting fires. She is worshipped to avoid becoming her victim
(probably to prevent death at the kitchen stove, an occupational hazard
for rural women).
• Kanniyamman - the v i r g i n goddess, generally one o f seven

(7 k a n n i m a a r ) , equivalent to the Sapta M a t r i k a s . They are generally
kind and indulgent.
• D r a u p a d i a m m a n - the goddess of chastity, wife of the five Pandavas.

Introduction 13J
There are minor local goddesses such as Isaki amman (corrupted

from Y a k s h i ) a blood - thirsty Jaina goddess, Minakshi amman, the
goddess of fishermen (district from the deity at Madurai).
The goddesses have their male consorts, attendants and veerans or
"braves". They are generally depicted as fierce terrors with blazing
eyes, huge moustaches, enormous swords and often even a skull
in one hand. Some of the important male deities are
• M a d u r a i V e e r a n - a huge, wide-eyes and fairly disreputable character, owing

his origin to a historical abductor of a Nayak chieftain's daughter.
• M u n e e s w a r a n o f M u n i y a n d i - a spirit, generally evil or mischievous,
who has to be propitiated w i t h blood sacrifices and alcoholic orgies,
as in the case of Madurai Veeran.
• K a r u p p a n n a n o r K a r u p p a y y a - an inferior male attendant or consort
of the goddess, following her travels around the village.
• K u t t a n d a v a r - a bodyless demon
All the above male deities may be depicted as either attendants or
consorts of Amman. Often all or many of each may be built around
the shrine in the grove. The male deities rarely have shrines of their
own, an honour reserved for the goddess.
• A y y a n a a r - he is the watchman of the village, patrolling i t every night,
mounted on his horses, the votive offerings of his thankful devotees.
He is regarded as a good and benevolent character, a protector w i t h a
cult of his own. Unlike the goddess and the male attendants, Ayyanaar
does not accept animal sacrifices and his worship involves a a r t h i s and
offerings of coconuts, flowers and fruits.
If the deity is represented by a few bricks or so it is smeared with

saffron and sandal paste and adorned with garlands. However i f
the representation is an anthropomorphic image it is washed with
lime juice, tender coconut water and milk and then decorated. And
worshipped with bloody animal sacrifices, fire walking, hanging
from hooks, etc.
Terracotta figures
The role of terracotta is very important. The figures must be
made of clay, which represents the powers of renewal inherent i n
the earth - from the birth of new plants to animal and human
offspring. It is carried over to the H i n d u philosophy of birth,
death and rebirth - the soul takes a new life after the decay of the
body just as a new plant is born after the death of the old. This
is also the cyclic role of the clay - it represents the horse, etc., for
a certain time : as it slowly disintegrates and goes back to mother
earth, it is time for the creation of a new figure. In fact, the new
figure is often made from a handful of clay from an old figure to
which more clay is added. The main figure of the Mother Goddess
and the male deities must be "renewed" every one or two years,
hence they were never, traditionally, made of any other material
besides clay. The entire phenomenon is closely associated with
prayers for fertility.
The votive offerings - the horses, bulls, elephants and ram -
are always made of clay and left in the open to go back to the
mud where they came from. It is interesting to note that only
images of domestic animals are given as votive offerings and never
images of the wildlife which visit the groves (except occasionally,
in recent times).
The potter is the priest at the sacred grove. The potter performs
both the ritual of making the terracotta figures and the ritual of
worship at the temple, before the clay figures are offered to Ayyanar.
He belongs to the caste known as V i s h w a k a r m a - "creator of the
world". His tools are few - the potter's wheel and his own hands.
For figurines he uses a mixture of sand and clay used for pots. But
the offering must be installed in a grove, under a tree. In time,
the grove gets cluttered with clay images of Gods, Goddesses and
animals, particularly horses.
Why the horse ? Because, say the people, it is considered next
in importance only to man. Perhaps its importance dates back to
the period of the Rig Vedic Ashwamedha (2500 B.C.), where the
territory covered by the horse as it roamed for a year was claimed
by the tribe (Shah, 1985). The making of a terracotta horse is a
matter of great significance and the dedication of the horse is a
major event involving the whole village. Sometimes the horse is
replaced by a bull or elephant, the last being the favourite offering
of fishing committees.
Introduction 15J
The horses range in height from 12 inches to 20 or more feet,

depending on the district, local practice and financial situation of
the devotees.
Size o f t h e groves
The sacred groves of Tamilnadu are small in size, ranging from
1/2 hectare to 20 hectares, except in those places where they are a
part of the Western Ghat chain, when they may extend to several
hundred hectares.
Vegetation
The sacred groves are the home of the local flora and fauna and
represent a mini-biosphere reserve, making them an essential part
of the conservation process. The rich plant life helps to retain
subsoil water and, during the hot summer months, the pond in
the grove is often the only source of drinking water.
Sacred groves represent a variety of vegetation types from
evergreen, semievergreen to dry deciduous, corresponding to
climatic regions, w i t h an average rainfall of 929 m m per year.
The entire state of Tamilnadu receives rain during the N o r t h
East monsoon (438 m m normal and 479 m m actual), w i t h
little rainfall (136 m m normal and 203 m m actual) during the
summer season.
The climax vegetation species in the sacred groves in the drier
regions of the plains are predominantly M e m e c y l o n u m b e l l a t u m
(ironwood tree), C h l o r o x y l o n s w i e t e n i a (east Indian satinwood),
A l b i z z i a amara (siris), G l y c o s m i s cochinchinensis, Capparis divaricata
(capparis bush), G m e l i n a asiatica (small Cashmere tree), etc.
However, species like A t a l a n t i a m o n o p h y l l a (Indian wild lime),
T e r m i n a l i a glabra (hardwood tree), Z i z y p h u s n u m m u l a r i a , T e r m i n a l i a
a r j u n a (arjuna), H a r d w i c k i a b i n n a t a , S a n t a l u m a l b u m (sandal wood)
are found in the groves of Tirunelveli, Virudhunagar, and Dindigul
districts, especially in higher altitudes adjoining reserve forests.
A e r v a tomentosa is found only in Tirunelveli and Virudhunagar
districts. This plant is endemic only to the plains of Tirunelveli
district. F l a c o u r t i a r a m o n t c h i is found in the sacred groves at higher

altitudes (see Table I V ) .
Festivals
Ayyanar, the guardian of the village, is worshipped daily. Besides the
daily worship, the annual festival called u r a n i pongal is celebrated
in Tamilnadu. Every family of the locality comes to the temple for
a ritual cooking of rice. The people of the district usually make
offerings of boiled rice, fruit, sugar, incense and camphor. The
annual festival takes place in March or April. O n this occasion,
all the villagers bring boiled rice, sweet cakes of rice and jaggery,
flour, sugar and coconut in large quantities, and spread them all on
large plantain leaves placed on the ground before the image. Then,
the priest burns incense and camphor, and finally the offerings are
distributed to the people gathered there. The head-priest then takes
a portion of pongal from each pot, mixes all of them with coconut,
flour, jaggery, mashed bananas, etc. This preparation is offered to
the goddess and other deities of the temple and distributed as
prasadam to all those who took part in the festival. The villagers
seem to understand the significance of the festival as "a community
rice-cooking of the village ( u r ) , however, u r a n i (spring, wet land,
source of income) or u r u (to spring, to gather) conveys the idea
of an increase in prosperity and wealh. This festival is usually held
during the month of P a n g u n i (March - April). I n short, the festival
is for the benefit and prosperity of the whole village and is dedicated
to deities like Ayyanar, Muniyappa, Karuppusamy, etc.
'Firewalking' is an interesting ritual in which devotees actually
walk barefoot over a bed of hot coals under the protection of a
goddess Mariamman (and usually in a trance). Dressed in wet
yellow clothes and a garland, the devotees step onto the bed of
redhot coals and walk on them in order to be rid of their sins
and bad omens and become wealthy and prosperous.
During a festival, the villagers organise a form of folk-art called
t e r u k o o t h u at night, in which folktales and the epics are enacted in
a typical manner which is both entertaining as well as informative
to the villagers.
Introduction 17J
Animal sacrifice
Animals such as fowl, goat, buffaloes and bulls are sacrificed to
the goddess or the Veeran. The Ayyanar image is covered by a
curtain when the animal sacrifice is carried out. It is interesting
to note that in all the districts there is no animal sacrifice for
Ayyanar, but for other deities such as Karuppusami, Kaliyamman
and Selliyamman the animals are sacrificed. For Karuppusami, the
ram and young she-goats are sacrificed before the deity, and for
Kaliyamman, goats are sacrificed by either decapitation ( t u l l u m a r i )
or impaling ( k a l u p o d u d h a l ) .
In the Tamil month of Ani, the devotees bear fire bowls in their
hands for Alagumariyamman, Kaliyamman and Selliyamman and
also offer animal sacrifice. During this festival, the head and limbs
of the sacrificed animal go to the priest.
The sacrifices are particularly gory and cruel, involving live
impalement, throwing animals from heights, tearing them apart
with the bare hands, biting live animals by the devotees. It is
unfortunate that little has been done to educate people about the
cruelty of this form of worship.
Hero worship in Tamilnadu

The t r a d i t i o n of worshipping heroes and hero stones has a
continuous history and has survived in one form or the other. The
custom of honouring heroes by erecting stone monuments was in
vogue till the dawn of the 13 century A.D. as is evidenced from
th
a number of hero stones found in South India.

Hero stones ( n a t t u k a l s ) are memorial stones erected in memory
of heroes who died on the battlefield or in a skirmish, while
defending the village from raiding bands, intervillage wars and the
threats of wild animals.
A hero-stone was discovered at Keelvanakkambodi in Chengam
Taluk of Tiruvannamalai district during the survey on the sacred
groves of Tiruvannamalai district. The hero stone is rectangular in
shape and bears the figure of a warrior brandishing a sword with
his right hand and holding a round shield in his left hand. On
his right, stands his wife.
Beside this stone, is a small rectangular stone bearing the figures

of two women. This may be a s a t i stone. No inscription is found
on both the stones.
Both these stones are collectively referred to as Ammacharu and
worshipped by the local people. There is also an annual festival in
honour of these deities. Animal sacrifices, are very common on
that day. Evidently, the age-old practice of ancestor worship is still
practiced in this village.
Survey o f t h e Sacred Groves i n t h e Districts o f

Tamilnadu
The C.P.R. Environmental Education Centre took up a survey
of Sacred Groves in Tamilnadu, commencing in April 1997. The
objectives of this survey were to:
• Precisely locate and map the groves and to prepare an inventory

• Undertake a floristic study at four sites i n the plains and two sites in
the hills
• Demarcate the sacred groves based on the availability of rare, endemic,
endangered and threatened plants
• Suggest ways and means of preservation and effective management of
the threatened groves of floristic importance and to find out means to
preserve those plants that are on the verge of extinction
• Study the socioeconomic and cultural importance of the groves
• 448 groves were located i n the districts of Coimbatore, Cuddalore,
D i n d i g u l , D h a r m a p u r i , Erode, Kanchipuram, Kanyakumari, Karur,
Madurai, Nagapattinam, Namakkal, N i l g i r i , Perambalur, Pudukottai,
Ramanathapuram, Salem, Sivaganga, Thanjavur, Teni, Tiruchirappalli,
Tirunelveli, Tiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai, Thiruvarur, Tutucorin, Vellore,
Viluppuram and Virudhunagar.
Four groves in the plains and two groves in the hills were taken
up for a detailed study of the flora and fauna composition.
Part I
S u r v e y of S a c r e d G r o v e s
in the Districts
of Tamilnadu
DISTRICTS OF TAMILNADU
COIMBATORE DISTRICT
Location: This district is situated at an altitude of 43.2 meters in the

west of Tamilnadu on the Western Ghats. Lying between 10° 15' and
11o 18' N and 76° 39' and 78° 14' E, the district includes Coimbatore,
Avinashi, Mettupalayam, Palladam, Pollachi and Valparai taluks.
Area: 7,46,799 hectares
Forest area: 1,58,209 hectares
Average rainfall: 858 m m
Soil: Black cotton soil
No. o f groves surveyed: 10 groves

Vegetation
The vegetation type of the Coimbatore district is west coast tropical
evergreen forest, secondary moist bamboo brakes, montane wet
temperate forests. The floristict vegetation of the district is Spondias
p i n n a t a , E u p h o r b i a l o n g a n a , Excaecaria robusta, Alstonia scholaris,
A r t o c a r p u s h e t e r o p h y l l u s , Hopea parviflora, Diospyros microphylla,
E u g e n i a g a r d n e r i , L a g e r s t r o e m i a lanceolata, Terminalia paniculata,
G r e w i a tiliaefolia, M i t r a g y n a p a r v i f o l i a , A d i n a cordifolia, T e r m i n a l i a
o r e n u l a t a , Stereospermum p e r v i f o l i a , S a l m a l i a malabarica, Eugenia
c a l o p h y l l i f o l i a , M i c h e l i a n i l a g i r i c a and G a u l t h e r u a f r a g r a n t i s s i m a .
N u m b e r and area o f the

sacred groves surveyed i n C o i m b a t o r e district
Taluk Village Deity Area i n ha.
Aliyar Pollachi Ayyappan 20.08

Kaliyapuram Pollachi Kaaliyamman 2.04
Kaliyapuram Pollachi Nagooramman 4.08
Anamalai Pollachi Maasaaniyamman 2.04
Kadamparai Valparai Muniswarar 40.82
Kavarkkal Valparai Muniswarar 81.63
Rottikadai Valparai Muniswarar 4.08
Ayyarpadi Valparai Muniswarar 4.08
Waterfalls Valparai Ayyappan 2.04
Waterfalls Valparai Ayyappan 40.82
C U D D A L O R E DISTRICT
Location: The district of Cuddalore is situated on the east coast

of Tamilnadu between 11° 30' and 11° 52' N and 79° 26' and
79° 47' E. It includes Cuddalore, Panruti, Vridachalam, Tittagudi,
Chidambaram and Mannarkudi Taluks.
Forest area: 1415 hectares
Soil: It consists of unfossiliferrous, ferruginous, soft sandstone

and grits and often conglomeratic laterite.
N o . o f groves surveyed: 3 groves
1 Villupuram
2 Bay o f Bengal
3 Salem
4 Perambalur
5 Thanjavur
6 Nagapattinam
7 Pondicherry
Vegetation
The vegetation type of the district is similar to that of Villupuram
district. Other than the flora mentioned in that district, a few
mangrove plants are also found i n the forest patches of the
coastal region. The A v i c e n n i a alba, S o n n e r a t i a apetala, Excoecaria
aqolaca, Aegiceras spp., A v i c e n n i a officinalis, A c a n t h u s i l i c i f o l i u s and
R h y z o p h o r a spp. are commonly found in the mangrove scrub forest
type of the district.
The festivals and rituals are almost similar to that of Villupuram
and Tiruvannamalai districts.

sacred groves surveyed in C u d d a l o r e district
Kattumannarkudi Nachiyarpalayam Tholiyappar 4.05

Thittakudi Perumalai Karuppusami 2.82
Virudhachalam Virudhachalam Vedappar 0.81
DHARMAPURI DISTRICT
Location: Dharmapuri is situated northwest of Chennai in

Tamilnadu on the Western Ghats, between 11° 54' and 12° 27'
N and 77° 4 1 ' and 78° 18' E. It includes Dharmapuri, Hosur,
Denkanikota, Krishnagiri, Uttangarai, Pennagaram, Palakkodu and
Harur taluks.
Soil: Poor and sandy

Vegetation
Hardwickia forest type is found scattered in patches while the
southern Euphorbia scrub type is found more frequantly. According
to Meher-Homji, the Anogeissus l a t i f o l i a and H a r d w i c k i a b i n a t a
deserve special mention from amongst the species of the dry
deciduous forest. They are as a rule abundant in the zone of
contact of the A l b i z z i a amara community with the dry deciduous
forest. The reason for the abundance of these species may be sought
partly in the climatic regime of a transitional nature, from the
dissymetric to the typical tropical type. Chief floristic composition
of the district is E r u p h o r b i a t i r u c a l l i , Capparis zeylanica, Dodonaea
viscosa, Cassia a u r i c u l a t a , C a l o t r o p h i s gigantea, Hardwickia binata,
B o s w e l l i a s e r r a t a , Lannaea coromandelica, Anogeissus latifolia, Albizzia
lebbeck, l a g e r s t r o e m i a p a r v i f l o r a , D i o s p y r o s t o m e n t o s a , Acacia catachu
and Bambusa aurandinoideae.
The common plants found in the sacred groves of this district
is k u n t r i m a n i ( A b r u s p r e c a t o r i u s ) , sadhaveri ( A s p a r a g u s racemosus),
sempirandai ( C i s s u s q u a d r a n g u l a r i s ) , kakkanam ( C l i t o r i a t e r n a t e a ) ,
k a t t u k o d i (Cocculus h i r s u t u s ) , vennangukodi ( C o m b r e t u m
o v a l i f o l i u m ) , kavalakodi (Dioscorea o p p o s i t i f o l i a ) , kandhal ( G l o r i o s a
superba), seendhil ( T i n o s p o r a c o r d i f o l i a ) , vellerukku ( C a l o t r o p i s
procera), vellaikumil ( G m e l i n a p i n n a t a ) , karunceevapattai ( T y l o p h o r a
a s t h m a t i c a ) , surai ( Z i z y p h u s oenoplea), karungali (Acacia catechu),
velvelam (Acacia leucophloea), thilakam ( A d e n a n t h e r a p a v o n i a ) ,
alinjil ( A l a n g i u m s a l v i f o l i u m ) , usil ( A l b i z i a a m a r a ) , vagai ( A l b i z z i a
lebbeck), kondavagai ( A l b i z z i a procera), kadambu ( A n t h o c e p h a l u s
c h i n e n s i s ) , m a r a v u r i ( A n t i a r i s t o x i c a r i a ) , pala ( A r t o c a r p u s
i n t e g r i f o l i a ) , ottipala ( A r t o c a r p u s lakoocha), kurundhu ( A t a l a n t i a
m o n o p h y l l a ) , nanjundamaram ( B a l a n i t e s aegyptiaca), moongil
(Bambusa bambos), morala ( B u c h a n a n i a l a n z a n ) , purasu ( B u t e a
f r o n d o s a ) , sarakontrai (Cassia fistula), mullilavu (Ceiba pentandra),
kiluvai ( C o m m i p h o r a caudata), thodagathi ( D a l b e r g i a l a t i f o l i a ) ,
kalmoongil ( D e n d r o c a l a m u s s t r i c t u s ) , aaththi ( D i o s p y r o s m o n t a n a ) ,
rudraksham (Elaeocarpus t u b e r c u l a t u s ) , arunelli ( E m b l i c a m y r o b a l a n ) ,
mullumurukku ( E r y t h r i n a i n d i c a ) , jambunaval (Eugenea malacensis),
palai ( M a n i l k a r a h e x a n d r a ) , shenbagam ( M i c h e l i a champaka),
Dharmapuri District 27J
kattuchambagam (Michelia nilagirica), kudasam (Millingtonia

hortensis), thanakkam (Morinda umbellata), aaram (Santalum
album), manipungu (Sapindus emarginatus), Ambiram (Spondias
pinnata), Etti (Strychnos nux-vomica), Tetra (Strychnos potatorum),
Puli (Tamarindus indica), Katramardi (Terminalia alata), Marudham
(Terminalia arjuna), Nattu-vadumai (Terminalia catappa), Kadukkai
(Terminalia chebula) and Siruilandai (Ximenia americana).

sacred groves surveyed i n D h a r m a p u r i district
Denkanikota Jodhikottai Ayyanar 163.27

Denkanikota Gullatty Anjaneyar 32.65
Denkanikota Malligarjuna Kapalamman 20.41
Denkanikota Gullatty Kattumariyamman 408.16
Denkanikota Sameri Madheswaran 285.71
Denkanikota Dholuvapettai Madheswaran 285.71
Denkanikota Denkanikota Nanjundeswarar 61.22
Denkanikota Gullatty Uleerappan 489.80
Denkanikota Bhoomanpedu Uleerappan 612.24
Denkanikota Kochavadi Veerannan 97.96
Denkanikota Gullatty Podoorappan 408.16
Dharmapuri Thoppur Anjaneyar 204.08
Dharmapuri Pagalpatti Anumandhan 81.63
Dharmapuri Jaganadhakombai Anumar 32.65
Dharmapuri Moolakombai Anumar 244.90
Dharmapuri Vellakal Boodhikundamuniyappa 204.08
Dharmapuri Kettipatti Ellamuniyappa 61.22
Dharmapuri Kombai Kattumariyamman 408.16
Dharmapuri Elagiri Kattumariyamman 122.45
Dharmapuri Kettipatti Tunikattimariyamman 40.82
Dharmapuri Elagiri Kolikunjumari 97.96
Dharmapuri Vellakal Madheswarar 48.98
Dharmapuri Vakuthapatti Pattalamman 4.04
Dharmapuri Kalappathy Sellampathi Mari 0.40
Murappur Pannikulam Selliyamman 1.01
Uttangarai Mettusulakarai Pattalamman 0.40
Uttangarai Ammankovilpadi Pattalamman 1.61
Uthangarai Dhippampatti Pathiniyamman 0.40

Uttangarai Kodiyur Kolalachiyamman 1.21
Uttangarai Periyadalapadi Sevittuvediyappan 0.21
Uttangarai Mangalpatti Veerabadhran 0.21
D I N D I G U L DISTRICT
Location: The Western Ghats form the western boundry of the

district. It was formerly a part of Madurai district, and lies between
10° 22' N and 77° 59' E. The district includes Dindigul, Palani,
Kodaikkanal, Nilakkottai, Nattam and Vedasandur taluks.

Soil: The soil type of the district varies with the region. Red soil,
loamy and clay soil are common, while in drier regions lateritic
soil is found.
N o . o f groves surveyed: 6 groves.

Vegetation
The vegetation type of this district shows vast diversity. The forest
types found in this district are typical southern thorn scrub type,
tropical dry deciduous type, tropical semi evergreen (Mixed Moist
Deciduous type) and montane temperature type. The floristic
composition of this district includes T a m a r i n d u s i n d i c a , A i l a n t h u s
excelsa, Atalantia monophylla, Dalbergia paniculata, Terminalia
b e l l a r i c a , A l b i z z i a a m a r a , Z i z y p h u s n u m m u l a r i , Jatropha gossypifolia,
Cassia auriculata, R h a m n u s vigatus, Memecylon grandes,Taxillus
c o u r t a l l e n s i s , G r e w i a t i l l i a e f o l i a , Stereospermum xylocarpum, Diospyros
m e l a n o x y l o n , Elaeodendron glaucum, Dalbergia latifolia, Chloroxylon
swietenia, Eugenia wightiana, Vitex altissima, Myrstica laurifolia, Olea
dioica, M e l i a composita, Anogeissus latifolia, Sapindus laurifolia, Olea
g l a d u l i f e r a , pterocarpus m a r s u p i u m , Cassia fistula, G m e l i n a arborea,
R a n d i a malabarica, B a u h i n i a v a h l i i , Z i z y p h u s rugosa, Artocarpus
h e t e r o p h y l l u s , E r y t h r i n a i n d i c a and S a n t a l u m a l b u m . The above
plants are found i n the sacred groves also.
N u m b e r a n d size o f t h e
sacred groves surveyed i n D i n d i g u l district
Nattam Alagarkoil Kalalagar 153.85

Nattam Palamudhirsolai Solaimalimurugan 323.89
Nattam Palamudhirsolai Rakkasiyamman 485.83
Nattam Uluppakudi Kannikoil 83.00
Nattam Pillayyaradi Mahamuni 40.49
Nattam Ayyanararuvi Ayyanar 60.73
ERODE DISTRICT
Location: This district is situated on the Western Ghats in western

Tamilnadu, lying between 11° 2' and 11° 27' N and 77° 22' and
77° 55' E. It includes Erode, Satyamangalam, Gopichettipalayam,
Bhavani, Kangeyam, Perundurai and Dharapuram taluks.
Soil: The soil is generally gravelly and sandy, but in Satyamangalam,

the soil is rich red loam
1 Karnataka
2 Nilgiri
3 Salem
4 Namakkal
5 Coimbatore
6 Karur
7 Dindigul
Vegetation
The vegetation type of the district ranges from wet evergreen forest
to moist deciduous forests. The chief floristic composition of this
district and the groves includes sandanam ( S a n t a l u m a l b u m ) , acha
( H a r d w i c k i a b i n a t a ) , vengai ( P t e r o c a r p u s m a r s u p i u m ) , sal (Shorea
t a l u r a ) thodagathy (Dalbergia latifolia), naval (Eugenia j a m b o l a n a ) ,
kadukai ( T e r m i n a l i a chebula), dhantri ( T e r m i n a l i a bellarica),
m a r u d h a m (Terminalia arjuna), vambarai (Chloroxylon swetienia),
u s i l ( A l b i z z i a a m a r a ) , Anogeissus l a t i f o l i a , a v a r a i (Cassia a u r i c u l a t a ) ,
m a n i p u n g u ( S a p i n d u s e m a r g i n a t u s ) , sikay (Acacia concinna),
vembadam (Ventilago madraspatana), ventekku (Lagerstroemia
m i c r o c a r p a ) , k a t t u ma ( M a n g i f e r a i n d i c a ) , C i t r e l l a t o o n a , S t e r c u l i a
g u t t a t a , M e s u a ferrea, A d i n a cardifolia, T e r m i n a l i a tomentosa,
S a l m a l i a malabarica and k u t t i p a l a ( A r t o c a r p u s h i r s u t u s ) .
N u m b e r a n d area o f the
sacred groves surveyed i n Erode district
Bhavani Ennamangalam Lionmariamman 204.08

Bhavani Bhavani Lionmariamman 204.08
Bhavani Koyilur Jadasami 122.45
Bhavani Aththanicolon Perumal 265.31
Bhavani S.Bargur Ponnachiyamman 326.53
Satyamangalam Komalam Jadaiyasami 163.27
Satyamangalam Kongarpalayam Kalluthumuni 530.61
Satyamangalam Attanai Kambandharayan 510.20
Satyamangalam Kannimarpadai Kannimariyamman 204.08
Satyamangalam Nandipuram Karuvanarayan 73.47
Satyamangalam Ramapayalur Bengapathymari 408.16
Satyamangalam Kuntricentral Anjaneyar 81.63
Satiyamangalam Andhiyurcolony Malaikaruppu 73.47
Satiyamangalam Dhimbam Malliyamman 163.27
Satiyamangalam Malliyamdurgam Malliyamman 367.35
Satiyamangalam Belari Moolasangarayanq 326.53
Satiyamangalam Makkampalayam Badhrakali 612.24
Erode District 33
Satiyamangalam K.N.Palayam Periyasamy 408.16

Satiyamangalam Bhoodhikuppai Sangapurimari 408.16
Satiyamangalam Beerkadavu Semmalaiyandavar 673.47
Satiyamangalam Beerkadavu Thotakombaimari 122.45
K A N C H I P U R A M DISTRICT
Location: Kanchipuram was previously a part of Chengalpattu

district. It is situated west of Chennai in Tamilnadu, lying between
12° 42' and 13° 8' N and 79° 34' and 80° 5' E and includes
Tambaram, Sriperambudur, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Uttiramerur,
Tirukkalukkundram, Madurantakam and Cheyur taluks.
Area: 352240 hectares
Soil: Mostly black soil

Kanchipuram District 35j
Vegetation
The forest type of this district is tropical dry evergreen scrub. The
common flora found in this type of vegetation are M e m e c y l o n edule,
Z i z y p h u s glaberata, D i c h r o s t a c h y s cinerea, R a n d i a d u m e t o r u m , Carissa
s p i n a r u m , Dodonea viscosa, A l b i z z i a a m a r a , B u c h n a n i a l a n z a n , M a b a
b u x i f o l i a , A t a l a n t i a m o n o p h y l l a , Z i z y p h u s oenoplia, A l b i z z i a lebeck,
E n t r o l o b i u m saman, F i c u s spp., D e l o n i x r e g i a , Cassia fistula, Borassus
flabellifer and Acacia leucoplea.

sacred groves surveyed i n K a n c h i p u r a m district
Chengalpattu Tiruninravur Irudhayeswarar 1.01

Chengalpattu Tiruvidandhai Nithiyakalyanaperumal 4.04
Chengalpattu Nenmeli Maariyamman 1.61
Maraimalainagar Maraimalainagar Murugan 2.83
KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT
Location: Kanyakumari is situated at the southern end of

Tamilnadu where the Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal
meet. The district lies between 8°3' and 8°35' N and 77°5' and
77°36' E. The district includes Kanyakumari, Nagercoil, Bhutapandi,
Takkalai, Kulitturai taluks.
Annual rainfall: 1465 m m

Kanyakumari District 37J
Vegetation
The vegetation type of the district is southern tropical dry
deciduous forests, southern tropical thorny forest, southern tropical
moist deciduous forest and southern tropical wet evergreen forest.
The common plants found i n the district are Dodanaea viscosa,
Launea sarmentosa, Jatropha m a h e s w a r i i , Acacia plainfronts,
Z i z y p h u s oenoplia, A t l a n t i a monophylla, Flacourtia indica, Toddalia
asiatica, D i c h r o s t a c h y s cinerea,Cassia siamea, Thespesia populnea,
C a l o p h y l l u m i n o p h y l l u m , Jatropha cucas, A n d r o g r o p h i s p a n i c u l a t a ,
Lannea coramandelica, Semecarpus anacardium, Terminalia chebula,
Alstonia Scholaris, Garcinia travancorica.

sacred groves surveyed i n Kanyakumari district
Thuckaley Kulasekaram Sastha 3.27

Thuckaley Melapuram Sastha 1.63
Thuckaley Kulasekaram Samundeeswari 8.20
Thuckaley Pechiparai Pechiyamman 7.35
Thuckaley Mandaikadu Bhagavathiyamman 0.81
Vilangode Puliyarai Isakkiyamman 1.63
Vilangode Andakode Iswarakalabhoothan 4.10
Vilangode Kulithurai Kulithuraisastha 1.63
Vilangode Thottathumadam Padhrakaliyamman 0.81
Vilangode Karithurai Sastha 1.63
Vilangode Gnarakadu Sastha 0.81
Vilangode Vettumani Vettuvannisastha 3.27
KARUR DISTRICT
Location: This district situated in southwest Tamilnadu, lies

between 10° 38' and 11° 6 ' N and 77° 45' and 78° 14' E. The
district includes Karur, Musiri and Aravakurichi taluks.
Forest area: 11,137 hectares
Soil: A n inferior red or grey variety

Karur District 39
Vegetation
Karur, Perambalur and Tiruchirappalli districts were recently
bifurcated and together comprised the Tiruchirappalli district earlier.
The vegetation, and socio-culture features are almost identical in
the three districts. The climax vegetation of these districts are
k u n t r i m a n i ( A b r u s p r e c a t o r i u s ) , sadhaveri (Asparagus racemosus),
kandhal ( G l o r i o s a superba), mudakathan (Cardiospermum
halicacabum), p i r a n d a i ( Cissus q u a d r a n g u l a r i s ) , kovai (Coccinia
indica), vennangukodi (Combretum ovalifolium), kattukilangu
(Dioscorea p e n t a p h y l l a ) , k u r u n j a ( H i p t a g e madablata), poolaichedi
(Aerva lanata), sotru kathalai (Aloe vera), a v u r i (Intigofera tinctoria),
udhapoo ( I x o r a n i l g r i c a n u s ) , adathodai (Adathoda vasika), erukku
( C a l o t r o p i s g i g a n t i a ) , sanganchedi (Capparis decidua), aavaarai
(Cassia a u r i c u l a t a ) , nochi (Vitex negundo), surai (Zizyphus
oenoplia), alinjil ( A l a n g i u m s a l v i f o l i u m ) , usil (Albizzia a m a r a ) ,
vagai ( A l b i z z i a lebbeck), pala ( A r t o c a r p u s i n t e g r i f o l i a ) , k u r u n d h u
( A t a l a n t i a m o n o p h y l l a ) , vembu (Azadirachta indica), semmandharai
( B a u h i n i a v a r i e g a t a ) , panai (Borassus flabellifer), kontrai (Cassia
f i s t u l a ) , k i l u v a i ( C o m m i p h o r a caudata), mavilangai (Cretaeva
r e l i g i o s a ) , thodagathi ( D a l b e r g i a l a t i f o l i a ) , sisu ( D a l b e r g i a s i s u ) ,
aaththi (Diospyros m o n t a n a ) , naval(Eugenea c u m i n ) , vila (Feronea
e l e p h a n t u m ) , al ( F i c u s benghalensis), i l u p p a i ( M a d h u c a i n d i c a ) , ma
( M a n g i f e r a i n d i c a ) , palai (Manilkara hexandra), nuna (Morinda
tinctoria), kodukkapuli (Pithecellobium dulce), pungai (Pongamia
p i n n a t a ) , p i d a v u ( R a n d i a m a l a b a r i c a ) , peramaram (Streblus asper),
etti (Strychnos n u x - v o m i c a ) , p u l i ( T a m a r i n d u s indica), poovarasu
(Thespesia p o p u l n e a ) , n o c c h i ( V i t e x n e g u n d o ) and i l a n d a i ( Z i z y p h u s
mauritiana).

sacred groves surveyed i n Karur district
Karur Kodangipatti Kaaliyamman 0.81

Karur Kodangipatti Periaswamy 3.21
Karur Thanthontrimalai Maariyamman 0.81
Karur Manmangalam Kaaliyamman 3.24
Karur Manmangalam Maariyamman 1.22

Karur Velayudhampalayam Ayyanar 3.24
Karur Mayanur Madhukkarai 1.62
Karur Punnam Marudhayi/Malayyayi 1.62
MADURAI DISTRICT
Location: Madurai district is situated in southern Tamilnadu,

between 9° 6' and 10° 49' N and 77° 11' and 79° 1 9 ' E o n the
banks of the river Vaigai. It includes Madurai, Tirumangalam,
Periyar, Melur, Usilampatti and Vadippatti taluks.
Forest area: 1,54,393 hectares.
Soil: The soil type of the district is mostly limestone and in

most parts is made up of igneous rocks.

Vegetation
The forest type of the district is Carnatic umbrella thorn forest.
This floristic composition includes Acacia planifrons, Albizzia
amara,Tamarindus indica, Ailanthes excelsa, Atalantia monophylla,
Dalbergia paniculata, Terminalia bellarica, Zizyphus nummulari,
Jatropha gossypifolia, Cassia auriculata, Rhamnus vigatus, Memecylon
grandes, Grewia tilliaefolia, Stereospermum xylocarpum, Diospyros
melanoxylon, Elaeodendron glaucum, Dalbergia latifolia, Chloroxylon
swietenia, Eugenia wightiana, Vitex altissima, Myrstica laurifolia, Olea
dioica, Melia composita, Anogeissus latifolia, Sapindus laurifolia, Olea
gladulifera, pterocarpus marsupium, Cassia fistula, Gmelina arborea,
Randia malabarica, Bauhinia vahlii, Zizyphus rugosa, Artocarpus
heterophyllus Erythrina indica and Dicrostachys cinerea.
History
The history of Madurai, the capital of the district, goes back to 2500
years. It was the capital of the early Pandya kingdom. It is referred
to in the R a m a y a n a and in the A r t h a s a s t r a written by Kautilya. The
name of the city has been mentioned by Megasthanes (302 B.C.),
Pliny (77 A.D.), and Ptolemy (140 A.D.) as Mathura, the kingdom of
the Pandya. Marco Polo visited Madurai in 1293 A.D. and Ibn Batuta
in 1333 A.D. The antiquity of the district goes back to about 300
years before the beginning of the Christian era. The name Pandya is
said to have originated from Pandu, the father of the Pandavas. As
evidenced by the numerous inscriptions and coins, it was under the
rule of the Cholas followed by the Mohammedans from 1310 to 1372
A.D., then the Vijayanagar kings, the Nayaks and finally British.
There is evidence to show that Greek and Roman soldiers served
under the Pandya kings, and in fact Roman coins have been found
in large hordes.

sacred groves surveyed i n M a d u r a i district
Kudladampatti Vadipatti Dhadakalachiyamman 40.82

Pandikoil Madurai North Pandimuniswarar 1.21
Vadipatti Vadipatti Palaniyandavar 4.10
NAGAPPATTINAM DISTRICT
Location: Nagapattinam is a coastal district in south Tamilnadu,

lying between 10° 32' and 10° 50' N . and 79° 34' and 79° 51' E.
The district includes Sirkali, Mailaduturai, Nagappattinam and
Vedaranyam Taluks.
Soil: The soil of the district is a rich loam and gradually becomes
more arenaceous towards coast.

Vegetation
There are no forests of any importance in the district. I n the taluks
of Sirkali, a few blocks of low jungle are found.
Kodikkarai (Point Calimere), is a low p r o m o n t o r y i n the
Vedarannyam taluk of Nagappattinam district, situated at 10° 18' N .
and 79° 51' E. There is a 'reserved' forest extending over 17 square
kilometers, where antelope, spotted deer and wild hog are found.
Dolphins are occasionaly sighted in the lagoon, apart from which
there are shore birds and waders, flocks of flamingoes, blackbuck,
chital, wild pig and bonnet macaques. Ponies, spotted deer, wild
hog, antelope and jackal breed in the neighbourhood in small
numbers, and tobacco is widely grown. It is considered sacred by
the Hindus to bathe in the sea off Point Calimere, and the place
has a temple which is a centre of pilgirimage. The promontory
was once used as a sanitorium.
The forest type of Point Calimere is tropical dry evergreen forest,
scrub jungle and swamp forest. The species recorded in Point
Calimere are Jatropha t a n j o o r e n s i s , P l e u r o s t y l i a opposita, Salacia
c h i n e n s i s , Sarcostemma i n t e r m e d i u m , A c h y r a n t h e s aspera, A g e r a t u m
conyzoides, D e s m o d i u m t r i f l o r u m , H e l i o t r o p i u m c i r a s s a v i c u m and
two shrubs that serve as an indicator of the salinity of the site are
Excoecaria aqallocha and T a m a r i x g a l l i c a .

sacred groves surveyed i n Nagappattinam district
Mailadudhurai Chavadi Ayyanar 0.81

Mailadudhurai Anniyur Ayyanar 0.81
Nagappattinam Sikkal Subgaravegar 2.02
Sirkali Devarajapuram Adaikalamkathaayyan 0.81
Sirkali Perundhottam Ayyanar 0.81
Sirkali Neppathur Ayyanar 0.81
Sirkali Neidhavasal Ayyanar 0.61
Sirkali Tirukattupalli Supthamadha 8.13
Sirkali Melayyur Ayyanar 1.62
Sirkali Tiruanniyur Ayyanar 2.01
Tirutturaipundi Anniyur Ayyanar 3.04
NAMAKKAL DISTRICT
Location: Namakkal also lies on the slopes of the Eastern

Ghats between 11° 1' and 11° 25' N and 78° 51' and 78° 30' E. I n
the eastern part of the district is Kollimalai and i n the north is
Pachaimalai. The district includes Namakkal, Tiruchengodu and
Rasipuram taluks.
Soil: Black cotton soil

Vegetation
Vegetation type of the district is similar to that of Salem district
and includes Capparis zeylanica, Dodonea viscosa, Cassia auriculata,
Calotropis gigantea, Hardwickia binata, Boswellia serrta, Lannea
coromandelica, Albizzia lebeck, Lagerstroemia parviflora, Diospyros
tomentosa, Terminalia tomentosa, Butea frondosa, Terminalia chebula,
Terminalia catappa, Erythrina indica, Jacaranda mimosaefolia,
Chloroxylon swietenia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Eugenia cumin, Ficus
spp., Canthium angustifolia and Terminalia arjuna.
N u m b e r a n darea o f t h e
sacred groves surveyed i n Namakkal district
Taluk Village Deity Area in ha.
Namakkal Mohanur Kaliyamman 1.22

Namakkal Mohanur Pattamarthan 1.62
Namakkal Mohanur Mavaladiyan 1.62
Namakkal Pavithram Pidari vs.Ambayi 0.41
Namakkal Pavithram Karuppannaswami 1.22
Namakkal Ayilur Angaalamman 1.22
Namakkal Solakkadu Aachiyamman 24.50
Namakkal Kalleri Ponnukuthamman 7.35
Namakkal Vellakuli Periyasami 14.29
Namakkal Kadambalam Sinnammaal 6.12
Namakkal Pilandur Sinnammaal 6.12
Namakkal Puduvalaivu Kuchakulipidari 12.24
Namakkal Valapur Arangathappan 4.10
Namakkal Asaikadupatti Sinnammaal 16.33
Namakkal Arivurpudhuvalaivu Selamadayyamman 14.29
Namakkal Arivurpudhuvalaivu Ettukayyamman 2.86
Namakkal Arivurpudhuvalaivu Sadamadan 11.43
Namakkal Valavandhikaspa Kongkaliyamman 16.33
Namakkal Karayyankadu Kaaliyamman 8.20
Namakkal Selur Kongkaayiamman 6.12
NILGIRI DISTRICT
Location: The Nilgiris or the Blue Mountains lie between 11°12'

and 11°40' N and 76° 14' and 77° E in western Tamilnadu. They
consist of two well marked divisions: the steep-sided plateau formed
by the junction of the Eastern and Western Ghats and a lower area
adjoining and forming a part of the Malabar Wynaad. The plateau
region is divided into the four taluks of Ootacamund, Coonoor,
Kotagiri and Gudalore.
Average rainfall: 1862 mm
Soil t y p e : Laterite and black sand

Vegetation
Based on the topographic features, vegetation can be broadly divided
into four principal types.
• The shola-grassland of the Nilgiri plateau

• The open deciduous scrub of Sigur plateau
• The moist deciduous and the dry deciduous teak forests of Nilgiris
- Wynaad
• The forests of the south eastern slopes.
The climax vegetation consists of vast stretches of grassland and

woodland. The woodlands fall under the category of tropical rain
forests occuring under extreme and limiting conditions of the montane
locations. These tropical montane woodlands are locally known as
sholas, a term derived from the Tamil word solai which etymologically
means a tropical rain forest. According to Champion and Seth's revised
survey of forest types of India, the sholas have been classified under
the type of southern montane wet temperate forest.
Botanically we may divide the hills into four tracts, each having
a flora of its own kind, of which very few species encroach upon
the other tracts viz. the deciduous forests of the slopes, the moist
evergreen forests of the slopes, the sholas or woods of the plateau
and the grassland of the plateau.
The most common plants found in the deciduous forests are
E r y t h r i n a s , B u t e a frondosa, the three D a l b e r g i a s , Schleichera trijuga,
Stereospermum x y l o c a r p u m , Lannea coromandelica, Terminalia
belarica, D i l l e n i a p e n t a g y n a , Cochlospermum gossypium, Sterculia
foetida, B o s w e l l i a s e r r a t a , Elaeodendron g l a u c u m , Cedrela toona,
Pterocarpus m a r s u p i u m , H a r d w i c k i a b i n a t a , T e r m i n a l i a spp., Tectona
g r a n d i s , A d i n a c o r d i f o l i a , G m e l i a arborea, Bambusa bambos and
X y l i a dolabriformis.
The moist evergreen forests of the slopes are often covered with
epiphytic orchids, ferns, mosses, balsams and the characteristic trees
are G a r c i n i a gombogia, C a l o p h y l l u m t o m e n t o s u m , Hopea parviflora,
Beddomea i n d i c a , Bassi e l l i p t i c a , H e m i c y c l i a v e n u s t a , A r t o c a r p u s
hirsuta, M u s u a ferrea.
In the sholas or woods of the plateau the common species are
A l b i z z i a l o p h a n t h a , M e l i o s m a a r n o t t i a n a , Brassis c a r t a t a , M e m e c y l o n
Nilgiri District 49J
m a l a b a r i c u m , B u c h a n a r i a angustifolia, M i c h e l i a nilgrica, C i n n a m o m u m
w i g h t t i , D a p h n i p h y l l u m glaucescens, Olea bournei Elaeocarpus
m u n r o i i , Phobe p a n i c u l a t a , Elaeocarpus oblongus, Excoecaria crenulata,
Rhododendron n i l g i r i c u m , G l o c h i d i o n n i l g h e r r e n s e , Symplocos foliosa,
G o r d c n i a obtusa, S y z y g i u m a r n o t t i a n u m , S y z y g i u m m o n t a n u m , I x o r a
notoniana.
History
The early history of the Nilgiris is not well known. But innumerable
prehistoric remains were discovered which indicate the existence of
Paleoithic and Neolithic civilizations in the hills which is evidenced
by the cairne, barrows, funeral circles, kistvaens and cromlechs. Such
prehistoric remains are found only in the upper Nilgiris. According
to Bruce Foot the noted archaeologist, Paleolithic men could have
lived in the Nilgiris. Cave paintings have been discovered in the
district at a place near Sigur while Roman gold coins belonging
to the 4th century A.D. have also been discovered. The region is
an archaeological cornucopoeia.
The indigenous inhabitants of the Nilgiris were Todas, Kotas,
Kasabas, Paniyas, Sholagas, M u l l u Kurumbas, Kattunaickas, A l u
Kurumbas and the Irulas.
The major religions of the district are Hinduism, Christianity
and Islam. The majority of the tribal population of the district
are Hindus. There are some old Hindu temples where the tribals
continue to worship. They also worship their ancestors. The best
example of which is to be found at Benagudi shola of Kotagiri
taluk, where there is a shrine for Karairaya, a Badaga who died
fighting a tiger. There are several such shrines, as in Melur for
Hetti or Hettamma, the wife who committed s a t i at the death of
her husband, and for Hiriya or Hirodiya, her dead husband. Like
the Badagas, deification of ancestors is common among the Todas
and the Irulas also.
The following table gives the information on the deities, associated
grove, their location and the approximate area of the groves of
the Nilgiri district.

sacred groves surveyed i n the Nilgiri district
Coonoor Aravakkadu Amman 40.82

Coonoor Melurkundam Amman 4.08
Coonoor Devarshola Badrakali 6.82
Coonoor Ellakandi Muniswarar 204.08
Coonoor Kethi Muniswarar 0.82
Coonoor Perungalmattam Muniswarar 40.82
Coonoor Aldane Nagadevan 20.41
Coonoor Manjakombai Nagadevan 20.41
Coonoor Melur Nagadevan 204.08
Coonoor Melurkundam Panjapandavar 326.53
Coonoor Rajendranagar Runnimariyamman 16.33
Gudalore Bokkapuram Kokkal 6.07
Gudalore Masanakudi Murugan 4.05
Gudalore Benagudi Panjapandavar 285.71
Gudalore Mavanella Panjapandavas 4.05
Gudalore Karukudi Pasavappa 8.10
Kotagiri Sakkatha Mariyamman 20.41
Kotagiri Sakkatha Muniswarar 40.82
Kotagiri Kesalada Vinayagar 6.12
Ooty Cincona Muniswarar 40.82
Ooty Governershola Muniswarar 204.08
Ooty Kalati checkpost Muniswarar 1.62
Ooty Kalmandh Muniswarar 40.82
Ooty Kernhill Muniswarar 40.82
Ooty Kuruthukuli Muniswarar 20.41
Ooty Mullikombai Muniswarar 326.53
Ooty Parsinsveli Muniswarar 81.63
Ooty Pudumattam Muniswarar 40.82
Ooty Samraj Muniswarar 4.08
Ooty Aganadu Panjapandavar 2.04
Ooty Doddabeta Vanaganapathi 32.65
PERAMBALUR DISTRICT
Location: Perambalur is an inland district south of Chennai,

lying between 10° 55' and 11° 32' N and 78° 40' and 79° 10' E
to the south of the Vellar river. The district includes Perambalur,
Ariyalur, Kunnam, Sendurai and Udayyarpalayam taluks.
Soil: Along the banks of the Vellar there is a continuous plain

of black cotton soil. In the rocky south the soil is poor, while in
the east it is red sand and clay. A strip of alluvium runs along the
banks of the Vellar and Coleroon rivers on the west.

Vegetation
The vegetation of these groves varies from dry evergreen to dry
deciduous forest types. Unlike the groves found i n Perambalur
taluk, most of the groves of Ariyalur and Udayyarpalayam taluk are
in good condition. The sacred groves of Perambalur district cover
approximately 144.14 hectares. The average annual rainfall and the
climax vegetation species in the Perambalur district (terrain region)
is the same general type as in the Tiruchirappalli district. Chief
plant species found are k u n t r i m a n i ( A b r u s p r e c a t o r i u s ) , sadhaveri
( A s p a r a g u s racemosus), kandhal ( G l o r i o s a superba), mudakathan
( C a r d i o s p e r m u m halicacabum), p i r a n d a i ( Cissus quadrangularis),
kovai (Coccinia indica), vennangukodi ( C o m b r e t u m ovalifolium),
k a t t u k i l a n g u (Dioscorea pentaphylla), kurunja (Hiptage madablata),
poolaichedi (Aerva lanata), sotru kathalai (Aloe vera), a v u r i (Intigofera
t i n c t o r i a ) , udhapoo ( I x o r a n i l g r i c a n u s ) , adathodai (Adathoda vasika),
e r u k k u ( C a l o t r o p i s g i g a n t i a ) , sanganchedi (Capparis decidua),
aavaarai (Cassia a u r i c u l a t a ) , nochi ( V i t e x n e g u n d o ) , soorai (Zizyphus
o e n o p l i a ) , a l i n j i l ( A l a n g i u m s a l v i f o l i u m ) , u s i l ( A l b i z z i a a m a r a ) , vagai
( A l b i z z i a lebbeck), pala ( A r t o c a r p u s i n t e g r i f o l i a ) , k u r u n d h u ( A t a l a n t i a
m o n o p h y l l a ) , vembu ( A z a d i r a c h t a i n d i c a ) , semmandharai (Bauhinia
v a r i e g a t a ) , panai (Borassus flabellifer), k o n t r a i (Cassia fistula), kiluvai
( C o m m i p h o r a caudata), m a v i l a n g a i (Cretaeva religiosa), thodagathi
( D a l b e r g i a l a t i f o l i a ) , sisu ( D a l b e r g i a s i s u ) , a a t h t h i ( D i o s p y r o s
m o n t a n a ) , n a v a l ( E u g e n e a c u m i n ) , v i l a (Feronea e l e p h a n t u m ) , al ( F i c u s
benghalensis), i l u p p a i ( M a d h u c a i n d i c a ) , ma ( M a n g i f e r a i n d i c a ) ,
palai ( M a n i l k a r a h e x a n d r a ) , n u n a ( M o r i n d a t i n c t o r i a ) , k o d u k k a p u l i
(Pithecellobium dulce), p u n g a i ( P o n g a m i a p i n n a t a ) , p i d a v u ( R a n d i a
m a l a b a r i c a ) , peramaram ( S t r e b l u s asper), e t t i ( S t r y c h n o s n u x - v o m i c a ) ,
p u l i ( T a m a r i n d u s i n d i c a ) , poovarasu (Thespesia populnea), nocchi
( V i t e x n e g u n d o ) and i l a n d a i ( Z i z y p h u s m a u r i t i a n a ) .
History
The antiquity of the district goes back to prehistoric times as
evidenced by two Palaeolithic implements found by Bruce Foot
in a small hamlet Ninniyur near Sendurai, one of which is sharp
and pointed, while the other is oval in shape. On the banks of a
P L A T E 8 : Terracotta horses, Subharayapuram, Ariyalur taluk,
Perambalur district
P L A T E 9 : Sacred grove, Ninniyur, Sendurai taluk,
Perambalur district
P L A T E 1 0 : Sacred grove, Ninniyur, Sendurai taluk,

Perambalur district
Perambalur District 53j
stream running beside the road from Sendurai to Nakkambodi, a

large number of urns and black and redware with allied objects
were noticed. Similar prehistoric antiquities were found at Thular
and Palayakudi. These antiquities date back to between 300 B.C. and
300 A.D. In Perambalur taluk, prehistoric kistvaens were found and
some Roman coins have also been recovered. Buddhist images of
stone have been found in Udayyarpalayam, Rayampuram, Kulumur,
Poyyanur, Jayamkondam, Varagoor and Vikramangalam. Coins of
Raja Raja Chola, the Vijayanagar period, the French and the East
India Company have also been found in this district. The Cholas,
Pandyas, the Nawabs and the East India Company have all played
their part in ruining the district.
During the period of Rajendra I , Gangaikondacholapuram was
the capital of the Cholas, from the 10 century to the first half of
th
the 13 century. From the 17 century onwards, the zamindars of

th th
Ariyalur and Udayyarpalayam ruled these two taluks. They reserved

pockets of forest area for their hunting pleasure.

sacred groves surveyed i n Perambalur district
Ariyalur Rayampuram Ayyanar 3.27

Ariyalur Sennivanam Karuppayyya 1.63
Muniyappa
Ariyalur Ottakoil Ayyanar 0.81
Ariyalur Kallamodu Ayyanar 1.22
Ariyalur Salakuruchi Karuppayya 0.81
Ariyalur Poyyur Ayyanar 2.04
Ariyalur Paluvur Ayyanar, Karuppayyya 4.08
Ariyalur Kavattanguruchi Ayyanar 2.04
Ariyalur Mallur Ayyanar 1.22
Ariyalur Elakuruchi Ayyanar 1.63
Ariyalur Vikramanglam Ayyanar 4.08
Kunnam Sathanur Karuppayyya 1.63
Kunnam Kottarai Karuppusami 0.41
Kunnam Kottarai Periyasamy 2.44
Kunnam Kolakkanatham Pachaayi 0.81
Kunnam Kolakkanatham Pinnadayyar 0.81

Kunnam Kulathur Sigamani 0.81
Kunnam Olaipadi Kandamuthankaruppu 2.44
Kunnam Vailapadi Vayyai karuppu 2.04
Kunnam Vailapadi Periyaandavar 0.61
Kunnam Karaipadi Ayyanar 0.81
Kunnam Koilpalayyam Ayyanar 4.63
Kunnam Puduvettakudi Karuppusamy 1.02
Kunnam Asur Serakulathar 1.22
Kunnam Serakulathar Pachaayi 4.63
Kunnam Kilapuliyur Kamatchiyamman 1.22
Kunnam Veppur (South) Kamatchiyamman 2.04
Kunnam Veppur (North) Ayyanar 1.62
Kunnam Thondapadi Ayyanar 1.22
Kunnam Kunnam Pachaayi 3.26
Kunnam Pudhur Pachayyamma 1.22
Kunnam Namangunam Veeranaar 1.62
Kunnam Dhuninjapadi Ayyanar 0.81
Perambalur Erayyur Ayyanar 2.44
Perambalur Devayyur Ayyanar 4.63
Perambalur Senganam Karuppayyya 3.26
Perambalur Valikandapuram Perumal 1.62
Perambalur Valikandapuram Chetti 1.22
Perambalur Valikandapuram Ayyanar 2.04
Perambalur Maravanatham Nallathangaal 0.81
Perambalur Pimbalur Sellammaal 0.41
Perambalur Pimbalur Periyasami 0.61
Perambalur Pandavapadi Ayyanar 1.22
Perambalur V.Kalathur Kaliyamman 1.62
Perambalur Malayyalapatti Ilangkaliyamman 1.62
Perambalur Dhaluthalai Sriandaliyappan 0.41
Perambalur Ammapalayyam Palamalai 8.13
Perambalur Senjeri Selliyamman 0.41
Perambalur Seruvacchur Madhurakaliyamman 2.04
Sendurai Ilangacherry Muthayyah 0.81
Sendurai Palamalainadapuram Ayyanar 0.81
Sendurai Unjini Andavar 1.63
Sendurai Sirukadambur Karuppayyya 1.63
Perambalur District 55
Sendurai Palayyakudi Ayyanar 4.08

Sendurai Valarakuruchi Ayyanar 4.08
Sendurai Vanjinapuram Ayyanar 1.63
Sendurai Kulumur Ellaikaruppu 2.04
Sendurai Vangaram Ayyanar 6.12
Sendurai Pasalam Muniyappa 4.63
Sendurai Ponparappi Ayyanar 3.27
Sendurai Marudhur Siddhar 6.12
Sendurai Adhikudikadu Selliyamman 0.81
Sendurai Kilarayampuram Ayyanar 0.81
PUDUKKOTTAI DISTRICT
Location: The district lies along the eastern side of Tamilnadu

adjoining the Bay of Bengal, between 10° 7' and 10° 44' N . and 78°
25' and 79° 12' E, and includes Alangudi, Pudukkottai, Thirumayam,
Kulattur and Arantangi Taluks.
Soil: Alkaline soil

Pudukottai District 57j
Vegetation
The vegetation of these groves is mixed deciduous forest type.
The climax vegetation species in the Pudukkottai district (terrain
region) is the same general type as in the adjacent districts of
Tiruchirappalli, Thanjanvur and Ramanathapuram. I n the terrain,
the vegetation is sparsely-distributed low thorny scrub. In pockets,
however, the vegetation becomes denser with an increased frequency
of species distribution. The most common species found in the
sacred groves of Pudukkottai district are M e m e c y l o n u m b e l l a t u m ,
chloroxylon suietenia, Albizzia amara, Glycosmis cochinchinensis,
Capparis divaricata, G y m n e m a sylvestre, Dichrostachys cinerea,
S t r y c h n o s n u x - v o m i c a , Capparis zeylanica, Syzygium jambolana,
D a l b e r g i a lanceolata, D e l o n i x elata and T e r m i n a l i a b e l l a r i c a .
History
The antiquity of the district goes back to pre-and proto-historic
times as evidenced by the presence of numerous dolments, stone
circles and other forms of megalithic burials. There is also evidence
to show that the Jains used this place as a refuge between 2nd
century B.C. and 9th century A.D.
The following table summarises information on the deities,
associated groves and their location as surveyed in the Pudukkottai
district.

sacred groves surveyed i n Pudukkottai district
Alangudi Imnampatti Sorpanamuniswarar 2.02

Alangudi Kulavaipatti Semathumuniswarar 1.62
Alangudi Poovarasankudi Ayyanar 2.04
Alanguai Tirukattalai Adikonda Ayyanar 0.61
Alangudi Vallanthiraikottai Aandichiyamman 2.04
Kulattur Annavasal Urulikaruppar 0.80
Kulattur Dhodayyur Muniyandi 2.43
Kulattur Dhodayyur Madhavadi karuppu 3.23
Kulattur Dhodayyur Maampatti karuppu 1.42
Taluk Village Deity Area i n
Kulattur Ilayyavayal Dhannakanda Ayyanar 12.15

Kulattur Ilayyavayal Ayyanar 2.42
Kulattur Keeranur Ayyanar 2.02
Kulattur Melapudhuvayal Puduvaikattuayyanar 6.07
Kulattur Narthamalai Ayyanar 4.04
Kulattur Sithannavasal Ayyanar 1.21
Kulattur Sittannavasal Adaikalamkathar 1.21
Kulattur Sittannavasal Pidari 0.80
Kulattur Sittannavasal Ayyanar 2.02
Pudukottai Vadavalam Rakkacchiyamman 1.30
Pudukottai Kilakkuchettiyur Pailasamuni 2.02
Pudukottai Mettupatti Muneeswarar 1.62
Tirumeyam Kothamangalapatti Ayyanar 12.15
Tirumeyam Mallangudi Ayyanar and Karuppu 1.21
Tirumeyam Veerayasolai Ayyanar 12.15
Tirumeyam Ilayyankudipatti Ayyanar 19.43
Tirumeyam Namunasamuthiram Urumar 10.12
Tiruperundurai Avudayyarkoil Pallivinayagar 2.04
Tiruperundurai Avudayyarkoil Ponnaduselli 1.22
Sacred grove a t Melapuduvayal i n Kulattur taluk

The dominant deity of the grove is Puduvaikattu Ayyanar and
the subordinate deities are Poosaikaruppu, Mavilingaraja and
Yellakaruppu. This grove extends over about 15 acres and the
Poosaivellars are i n charge of the grove and worship therein. Daily
worship of Ayyanar is performed by offering the leaves of the
thanakka maram. A t h i r u v i l a is conducted once a year i n the month
of Chithirai by the people of 18 pattis(villages). A n unusual feature
of this grove is that kudhirai edutthal is performed only in the
month of Adi by the Kallar, Vellar and Udayyar communities.
R A M A N A T H A P U R A M DISTRICT
Location: Ramanathapuram a southern coastal district is

situated between 9° 6' and 10° 6' N . and 77° 56' and 79° 19' E. It
includes Ramanathapuram, Paramakkudi, Rameswaram, Kamudi,
Mudukulattur and Tiruvadanai taluks.
Soil: Ramanathapuram taluk has a poor sandy or saline soil while

the other taluks have black cotton soil.
N o o f groves surveyed: 17 groves

Vegetation
The vegetation type of the district comprises of southern thorn
forest, Carnatic umbrella thorn forest and patches of low scrub
and palmyra palm. Commonly found plant species in the sacred
groves of Ramanathapuram district are al ( F i c u s benghalensis),
poovarasu (Thepesia p o p u l n e a ) , aavarai (Cassia a u r i c u l a t a ) , vembu
( A z a d i r a c h t a i n d i c a ) , n o n a ( M o r i n d a t i n c t o r e a ) , vagai (Albizzia
lebbeck), u s i l a i ( A l i b i z z i a a m a r a ) , u d a i (Acacia p l a n i f r o n s ) , k a r u v e l a m
(Acacia nilotica), e r u k k u (Calotropis gigantea), velikathan (Prosopis
j u l i f l o r a ) , i l a n d h a i ( Z i z y p h u s m a u r i t i a n a ) , v i l a r i (Dodonea viscosa),
mamarai (Chloroxylon swietenia), kiluvai(Commiphora caudata),
k o n t r a i (Cassia fistula) and i l u p p a i ( M a d h u c a i n d i c a ) .
sacred groves surveyed i n Ramanathapuram district
Kamudhi Perayyur Muniswarar 0.41

Kamudhi Kottaimedu Kottaimuni 0.41
Mudukulathur Puliyankudi Korangan 0.41
Mudukulathur Meesal Amman 0.41
Mudukulathur Mudhukulathur Dharmamuniswarar 1.63
Mudukulathur Kakkur Madhanapulla 0.41
Paramakudi Kariyanthal Ayyanar 4.10
Paramakudi Chinnaagaramesi Ayyanar 2.45
Paramakudi P.Ilandhaikulam Ayyanar 0.41
Paramakudi Pirabukkalur Ayyanar 2.04
Paramakudi Kavanur Erikarayyamman 0.81
Paramakudi Semmankudi Kamatchiyamman 0.81
Paramakudi Arasadivandal Muniswarar 0.41
Paramakudi Pirabukkalur Muniswarar 1.63
Paramakudi Semmankudi Sastha 1.63
Ramanathapuram Thoruvalur Muniswarar 3.27
Ramanathapuram Thoruvalur Ayyanar 1.63
SALEM DISTRICT
Location: This district lies on the lower slopes of the Eastern

Ghats and both Kollimalai and Pachaimalai are found here.
Lying between 11° 1' and 12° 54' N . and 77° 29' and 79° 2' E, the
district includes Salem (1200 f t ) , Attur, Yercaud, Omalur, Mettur
and Sankagiri taluks.
Soil: Red sandy fertile soil better than the red sand soil of
Tiruchirappalli.

Vegetation
The forest types of Salem and Namakkal districts are mostly
southern dry mixed deciduous forest, Hardwickia type, southern
Euphorbia scrub. The flora of Salem and Namkkal districts are
similar and include Capparis zeylanica, Dodonea viscosa, Cassis
auriculata, Calotropis gigantea, Hardwickia binata, Boswellia serrta,
Lannea coromandelica, Albizzia lebeck, Lagerstreomia parviflora,
Diospyros tomentosa, Terminalia tomentosa, Butea frondosa,
Terminalia chebula, Terminalia catappa, E r y t h r i n a indica, Jacaranda
mimosaefolia, Chloroxylon swietenia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Eugenia
cumin, Ficus spp., Canthium angustifolia and Terminalia arjuna.
sacred groves surveyed i n Salem district
Taluk Village Deity Area in h a .
Attur Attur Selliyamman 1.63

Attur Attur Kottaimuniswarar 0.61
Attur Vadasennimalai Murugan 20.41
Attur Thandavarayapuram Muniyappa 0.81
Cinnasalem Koogayyur Veerangi ayyanar 6.12
Namagiripettai Namagiripettai Kongalamman 2.44
Omalur Mattayyanpatti Vairamuniswarar 2.86
Omalur Anaimedu Karuppayyya 4.08
Rasipuram Ariyakondampatti Minnadayyan 81.63
Rasipuram Ariyakondampatti Perumal 4.08
Rasipuram Ariyakulapudhur Angayiamman 20.41
Rasipuram Pudhupalayam Perumal 61.22
Rasipuram Kollangulam Varunadevan 20.41
Rasipuram Kollangulam Boodhasami 24.50
Rasipuram Kutladampatti Madeswarar 6.12
Rasipuram Kollangulam Perumal 51.02
Yercuad Karuttavalaivu Muniswarar 204.08
Yercuad Mundampadi Shervarayan 6.12
Yercuad Kiliyur Rajeswariyamman 2.04
Yercuad Ondikadai Kallimaratthan 20.41
Yercuad Yercaud Sangilimuniyappa 61.22
Yercuad Yercaud Kariyaraman 40.82
Yercuad Yercaud Aundiyappan 4.08
Yercaud Yercuad Kaaliyamman 67.35
SIVAGANGA DISTRICT
Location: This district was once a part of Ramanathapuram and

is in the southeast of Tamilnadu. Lying between 9° 30' and 10°
17' N and 78° 5' and 78° 58' E, it includes Sivaganga, Tiruppattur,
Karaikkudi, Devakottai, Manamadurai and Ilayyankudi taluks.
Soil: The district is an unbroken level plain, mainly covered with

red soil, and is fairly fertile.

Vegetation
The vegetation type of the district comprises of southern thorn
forest, Carnatic umbrella thorn forest and patches of low scrub
and palmyra palm. Commonly found plant species in the sacred
groves of Sivaganga district are al ( F i c u s benghalensis), poovarasu
(Thepesia p o p u l n e a ) , aavarai (Cassia a u r i c u l a t a ) , vembu (Azadirachta
i n d i c a ) , n o n a ( M o r i n d a t i n c t o r e a ) , vagai ( A l b i z z i a lebbeck), usilai
( A l i b i z z i a a m a r a ) , u d a i (Acacia planifrons), karuvelam (Acacia
nilotica), e r u k k u (Calotropis gigantea), velikathan (Prosopis juliflora),
i l a n d h a i ( Z i z y p h u s m a u r i t i a n a ) , v i l a r i (Dodonea viscosa), mamarai
( C h l o r o x y l o n s w i e t e n i a ) , k i l u v a i ( C o m m i p h o r a caudata), kontrai
(Cassia fistula) and i l u p p a i ( M a d h u c a i n d i c a ) .
sacred groves surveyed i n Sivaganga district
Karaikudi Kandanur Vayyakaruppu 33.40

Karaikudi Valayyanvayal Karuveppilankaali 1.21
Karaikudi Kollathtur Solayyandavar 6.07
Manamadurai Madapuram Kaliyamman 0.81
Sivagangai Dhayamangalam Ayyanar 7.39
P L A T E 1 6 : Sacred grove, Kandanur, Karaikudi taluk,
Sivaganga district
THANJAVUR DISTRICT
Location: It is a coastal district i n the south of Tamilnadu,

lying between 9° 49' and 11° 25' N and 78° 47' and 79° 52' E., it
includes Thanjavur, Tiruvidaimarudur, Kumbakonam, Orattanadu,
Pattukkottai and Peravurani taluks.
Area: 35,981 hectares
Average rainfall: 931 m m .
Soil: Varies from unfossiliferrous conglomerates to sandstone, and

covers a large part of the district to the south and south-west. A l l
the northern and eastern tracts are composed of river, deltaic, and
shore alluvium and brown sands.
N o . o f g r o v e s s u r v e y e d : 5 groves (There are no forests of any

importance in the district. I n the taluk of Thanjavur a few blocks
of low jungle occur).
Vegetation
The vegetation type of the district is tropical dry evergreen forest.
The common plants found in this district are: poovarasu (Thespesia
p o p u l n e a ) , nuna ( M o r i n d a t i n c t o r i a ) , sanganchedi (Capparis decidua),
al ( F i c u s benghalensis), aavarai (Cassia a u r i c u l a t a ) , nayuruvi
( A c h y r a n t h e s aspera), iluppai ( M a d h u c a i n d i c a ) , puli ( T a m r i n d u s
i n d i c a ) , vanni ( P r o s o p i s spicigera) panai (Borassus flabellifer), vembu
( A z a d i r a c h t a i n d i c a ) , kattu i n j i ( P h e o n i x s y l v e s t r i s ) , adhondai
(Capparis z e y l a n i c a ) , pungam ( P o n g a m i a p i n n a t a ) , azhinjil ( A l a n g i u m
s a l v i f o l i u m ) and marudham ( T e r m i n e l i a a r j u n a ) .
N u m b e r a n d area o f t h e
sacred groves surveyed i n Thanjavur district
Thanjavur Manambuchavadi Madathusami 0.61

Thanjavur Surakottai Paramanadha Ayyanar 2.86
Thanjavur Vallam Agouriyamman 0.81
Thanjavur Vallam Ayyanar 0.81
Thanjavur Vayalur Ayyanar 0.81
TENI DISTRICT
Location: Teni district is situated i n southwest Tamilnadu,

between 9° 32' and 10° 15' N . and 77° 11' and 79° 5 1 ' E. It includes
Periyakulam, Teni, Bodinayakkanur, Andippatti and Uttamapalaiyam
taluks. The district is bounded by the Western Ghats on the west,
Palani hills on the north and the Antippatti range on the south.
Soil: The soil type of the district is mostly laterite and shallow
clay.

Vegetation
The forest types found i n this district are typical southern thorn
scrub type, tropical dry deciduous type, and southern dry mixed
deciduous forests. The floristic composition of this district includes
A t a l a n t i a m o n o p h y l l a , S t e r c u l i a u r e n s , S t r e b u l u s asper, D y s o x y l u m
m a l a b a r i c u m , T e r m i n a l i a bellerica, T e r m i n a l i a chebula, Dalbergia
lanceolata, D a l b e r g i a sissoidea, Chloroxylon swietenia, Pterocarpus
m a r s u p i u m , Anogeissus latifolia, Flourtia sepiairia, Zizyphus
x y l o c a r p u s , Cassia m o n t a n a , C h o m e l i a asiatica, Hiptage madablota,
D e n d r o c a l a m u s s t r i c t u s , A l b i z z i a a m a r a , Acacia p l a n i f r o n s , T e r m i n a l i a
arjuna, Mangifera indica, Artocarpus hetrophyllus, Memecylon
grandes, Eugenia wightiana, Myrstica laurifolia, Sapindus laurifolia
and Cassia fistula.

sacred groves surveyed i n Teni district
Allinagaram Uttamapalaiyam Veerappa Ayyan 1.63

Manjalanai Periyakulam Kamatchiyamman 1.63
Maravapatti Andippatti Kutharayaperumal 40.82
Kanniyapillaipatti Andippatti Mooreriyamman 1.22
Kanniyapillaipatti Andippatti Gopalaswami 6.12
Kamiyakavundanpati Uttamapalaiyam Selliyamman 2.44
Suruli Teertham Uttamapalaiyam Suruli Andavar 204.08
Suruli Teertham Uttamapalaiyam Bhoothanarayanan 4.10
Suruli Teertham Uttamapalaiyam Lakshmivalliyammai 10.20
Theppampatti Andippatti Velappar 122.49
Theppampatti Andippatti Angalamman 1.63
Vadipatti Periyakulam Ondiveerasami 1.22
TIRUCHIRAPPALLI DISTRICT
Location: It is an inland district in the south of Tamilnadu,

lying between 10° 16' and 11° 32' N and 78° 8' and 79° 30'
E. Tiruchirappalli is an inland district almost in the middle
of Tamilnadu. It includes Tiruchirappalli, Lalgudi, Turaiyur,
Manachanallur and Manapparai Taluks.
Average rainfall: 870 m m .
Soil: Fertile Red loam

Vegetation
The vegetation of this district varies from dry evergreen to dry
deciduous forest types. It represents different vegetation types
comprising southern thorn forest, dry deciduous and scrub jungle
type. The floristic composition of the Tiruchirappalli district is
mostly of the southern thorn forest, dry deciduous and scrub jungle
type. Chief plant species found are k u n t r i m a n i ( A b r u s p r e c a t o r i u s ) ,
sadhaveri ( A s p a r a g u s racemosus), kandhal (Gloriosa superba),
m u d a k a t h a n ( C a r d i o s p e r m u m halicacabum), pirandai ( Cissus
q u a d r a n g u l a r i s ) , kovai ( C o c c i n i a i n d i c a ) , v e n n a n g u k o d i ( C o m b r e t u m
o v a l i f o l i u m ) , k a t t u k i l a n g u (Dioscorea pentaphylla), kurunja (Hiptage
madablata), poolaichedi (Aerva lanata), sotru kathalai (Aloe vera),
a v u r i ( I n t i g o f e r a t i n c t o r i a ) , udhapoo (Ixora nigricanus), adathodai
(Adathoda vasika), erukku (Calotropis gigantia), sanganchedi
(Capparis decidua), aavaarai (Cassia a u r i c u l a t a ) , nochi (Vitex
negundo), surai (Zizyphus oenoplia), alinjil ( A l a n g i u m salvifolium),
u s i l ( A l b i z z i a a m a r a ) , vagai ( A l b i z z i a lebbeck), pala (Artocarpus
i n t e g r i f o l i a ) , k u r u n d h u ( A t a l a n t i a m o n o p h y l l a ) , vembu (Azadirachta
i n d i c a ) , semmandharai ( B a u h i n i a v a r i e g a t a ) , panai (Borassus
flabellifer), k o n t r a i (Cassia fistula), kiluvai (Commiphora caudata),
m a v i l a n g a i (Cretaeva r e l i g i o s a ) , thodagathi ( D a l b e r g i a l a t i f o l i a ) , sisu
(Dalbergia sisu), aaththi (Diospyros m o n t a n a ) , naval(Eugenea c u m i n ) ,
v i l a (Feronea e l e p h a n t u m ) , al ( F i c u s benghalensis), iluppai (Madhuca
i n d i c a ) , ma ( M a n g i f e r a i n d i c a ) , palai (Manilkara hexandra), nuna
( M o r i n d a tinctoria), kodukkapuli (Pithecellobium dulce), pungai
(Pongamia pinnata), pidavu (Randia malabarica), peramaram
( S t r e b l u s asper), e t t i ( S t r y c h n o s n u x - v o m i c a ) , p u l i ( T a m a r i n d u s i n d i c a ) ,
poovarasu (Thespesia p o p u l n e a ) , nocchi ( V i t e x n e g u n d o ) and i l a n d a i
(Zizyphus mauritiana).
History
The history of Tiruchirappalli dates back to the pre-Christian
Sangam age of Tamil literature. It was then the capital of the Chola
kings. Their original capital was at Urayyur, and later in the eleventh
century, at Gangaikondacholapuram. Tiruchirappalli was the citadel
of the Chola dynasty in the medieval period. It was ruined by the
Tiruchirapalli District 71
Pandyas, Hoysalas, Nayaks, Nawabs and Marathas. Most of the

existing monuments were built by the Nayaks of Madurai. From
the 18 th
century it came under the rule of the British.
The following table summarises information on the groves, their
location, and their deities as surveyed in Tiruchirappalli district.

sacred groves surveyed i n Tiruchirappalli district
Taluk Village Deity Area i n
Lalgudi Anbil Aachiyamman 3.24

Lalgudi Idayyatrumangalam Pungakavuku- 0.81
dichiamman
Lalgudi Kallagam Ayyanaar 4.63
Lalgudi Kallagam Madhuraiveeran 0.81
Lalgudi Thappai Karuppusamy 0.41
Lalgudi Thovur Supthakannimar 0.81
Lalgudi Kannakudi Kannimaar 0.81
Lalgudi Kilikoodu Samadhi 3.24
Lalgudi Kudalur Ayyanaar 1.62
Lalgudi Kudalur Aludayyan 0.81
Lalgudi Mandhurai Karuppusamy 0.81
Lalgudi Sangenthy Valeeswari 1.62
Manachanallur Dhudayyur Kalingayikoil 2.45
Manachanallur Vaththalai Ayyanaar 3.24
Manachanallur Sirukambur Elamandiyamman 1.62
Musiri Evur Kamugandiyamman 0.81
Musiri Kunaseelam Pidaari 1.22
Musiri Peramoor Periyaayi 1.22
Tiruchirappalli Vemboor Veerappasamy 2.04
Turaiyur Kanapadi Komudayyan 6.12
Turaiyur Kanapadi Periyasami 4.90
Turaiyur Kanapadi Karuppusamy 3.24
Turaiyur Mettupalayam Senganiyamman 1.62
Turaiyur Puliyanjolai Periyasami 1.62
Turaiyur Puliyanjolai Kuruvayamman 2.04
Turaiyur Puliyanjolai Mariyamman 4.08
Turaiyur Puliyanjolai Karuppusami 4.08
Turaiyur Puliyanjolai Kaadapanjan 0.41
Turaiyur Sophanapuram Karuppannaswami 1.62

Turaiyur Turaiyur Nallavathayiamman 0.81
Turaiyur Turaiyur Siruvachur 0.61
Turaiyur Turaiyur Angayiyamman 1.62
Turaiyur Turaiyur Puliyadi karuppu 0.41
Turaiyur Turaiyur Sellandiyamman 0.41
TIRUNELVELI DISTRICT
Location: This district occupies the southern end of the Indian

Peninsula bounded by the Western Ghats on the west. It lies between
8° 9' and 9° 43' N and 77 ° 12' and 78° 23' E. It includes Sivagiri,
Sankarankoil, Tenkasi, Palayankottai, Nanguneri and Radhapuram
taluks.
Soil: Along the base of the Ghats is a 10 to 20 mile wide belt of

red loam and red sand, and adjacent to the sea is a strip of sandy
soil. These two tracts overlap one another in the south, while in
the north, the intervening space is covered by black cotton soil.

Vegetation
Vegetation includes Tirunelveli semi evergreen forest, Carnatic
umbrella thorn forest / southern thorn forest and montane wet
temperate Forests. In drier parts of the district under the alliance of
Acacia p l a n i f r o n s and the successive stage of climax is constituted by
Acacia amara and Acacia leucophloea. In other words, the vegetation
type varies from the plains to the hills, with each region having its
own distinctive flora, the most interesting being the heavy evergreen
forest. The characteristic tree of the plains is the palmyra palm
which covers wide areas to the exclusion of all other trees and is
a notable factor i n the economic activities of the district.
The most common species found in the Tirunelveli semi evergreen
forest are Hopea bakanocarpus, Hopea p a r v i f l o r a , P t e r o s p e r m u m spp.,
K i n g i o d e n d r o n p i n n a t u m , Stereospermum personatum, Dalbergia
l a t i f o l i a , C h u k r a s i a , A r t o c a r p u s h e t e r o p h y l l u s , A n g l a i a spp., E u p h o r b i a
ongana, D r y p e t e s v e n u s t a , B i s c h o f l a , C a r a l l a , D i o s p y r o s spp., S t r o b i l a n t h s
spp. and G l y c o s m i s spp.
The southern thorn forest is found i n the drier part of the
district with degraded forests. The plant species found i n this
type of forest is Acacias, chiefly Z i z y p h u s and fleshy E u p h o r b i a s .
Other common species are C h l o r o x y l o n s w i e t e n i a , A l b i z z i a a m a r a ,
Acacia c h u n d r a , Acacia ferruginea, Azadirachta indica, C a n t h i u m
dicoccum, Erythroxylon monogynum, Zizyphus mauritiana, Zyziphus
x y l o p y r u s , C l e i s t a n t h u s c o l l i n u s , D i c h r o s t a c h u s cinerea and A t a l a n t i a
monophylla.
N u m b e r a n d area o f t h e
sacred groves surveyed i n Tirunelveli district
Nanguneri Tirukarungudi Nambi 494.10

Palayyankottai Megalingapuram Sastha 0.61
Sankarankoil Punnayyapuram Tiruvettai Ayyanar 3.44
Sankarankoil Irurumangalam Maradhaudaliyar 1.21
Sankarankoil Perunottur Tirukottiayyanar 1.21
Thenkasi Alangulam Ramar and Sastha 194.33
Thenkasi Alangulam Jambulinga Sastha 1.61
Tirunelveli District 75
Thenkasi Alangulam Mayilam Sastha 1.21

Thenkasi Kalamadan Anaimaravaikumsasta 2.02
Thenkasi Kuruippakulam Sorikuthi Ayyanar 7.87
Tirunelveli Abishekapuram Ayyanar and Karuppu 1.21
Vannarapettai Palayyankottai Pechchiyamman 0.81
TIRUVALLUR DISTRICT
Location: The district Tiruvallur is situated north of Chennai in

Tamilnadu, lying between 13° 3' and 13° 47' N . and 79° 44' and
80° 7' E. It includes Tiruvallur, Pallipattu, Tiruttani, Uttukkottai,
Gummudipundi, Ponneri, Ambattur and Poonamallee taluks.
Soil: The soil type is mostly red soil

Tiruvallur District 77j
Vegetation
The forest type of this district is tropical dry evergreen scrub. The
common flora found in this type of vegetation are M e m e c y l o n edule,
Z i z y p h u s glaberata, D i c h r o s t a c h y s cinerea, R a n d i a d u m e t o r u m , Carissa
s p i n a r u m , Dodonea viscosa, A l b i z z i a a m a r a , B u c h n a n i a l a n z a n , M a b a
b u x i f o l i a , A t a l a n t i a m o n o p h y l l a , Z i z y p h u s oenoplia, A l b i z z i a lebeck,
E n t r o l o b i u m saman, F i c u s spp., D e l o n i x r e g i a , Cassia fistula, Borassus
flabellifer and Acacia leucoplea.

sacred groves surveyed i n Tiruvallur district
Taluk Village Deity Area i nha.
Tiruthani Velliyur Karumariyamman 0.20

Tiruthani Veeranathur Shiva 0.60
Tiruthani Velliyur Vinayagar 0.30
TIRUVANNAMALAI DISTRICT
Location: Tiruvannamali district is situated in south Tamilnadu,

between 11° 58' and 12° 35' N . and 78° 38' and 79° 17' E on the
Eastern Ghats. I n the west a spur of the Javadi hills, locally known
as Thenmalai, runs down into it; and in the south it includes a part
of the Kalrayan hills and Chekkadi hill. It includes Tiruvannamalai,
Chengam, Polur, Arani,Vandavasi, Tiruvettipuram taluks.
Soil: The soil type of the district is very poor red soil.

Tiruvannamalai District 79J
Vegetation
The vegetation type of the district is southern thorn forest and
tropical dry evergreen forest. The common plants are S a n t a l u m
a l b u m , Pterocarpus m a r s u p i u m , Terminalia tomentosa, Hardwickia
b i n a t a , Anogeissus latifolia, M a n i l k a r a hexandra, M i m u s o p s elengi,
M e m e c y l o n edule, A l b i z z i a a m a r a , Cassia fistula, Cassia a u r i c u l a t a ,
Acacia f e r r u g i n e a , A z a d i r a c h t a i n d i c a , Acacia planifrons, Butea
frondosa, Capparis z e y l a n i c a , C o m m i p h o r a caudata, Emblica
m y r o b a l a n , F i c u s benghalensis, Atalantia monophylla, Dodonea
viscosa, T a m a r i n d u s i n d i c a , M e m e c y l o n u m b e l l a t u m , A l b i z z i a lebbck,
Asparagus racemosus, Cissus q u a d r a n g u l a r i s , Dioscorea oppositifolia,
G l o r i o s a superba, T i n o s p o r a c o r d i f o l i a , A e r v a l a n a t a , Capparis decidua,
C o r d i a dichotoma, F l a c o u r t i a jangomos, Glycosmis cochinchinensis,
G m e l i n a arborea, M o r i n d a umbellata, Tylophora asthmatica, Vitex
negundo, Z i z y p h u s oenoplia, Acacia leucophloea, A l a n g i u m salvifolium,
A n t h o c e p h a l u s cadamba, A t a l a n t i a missionis, Azadirachta indica,
Cassia glauca, Chloroxylon swietenia, Clerodendron serratum,
D a l b e r g i a l a t i f o l i a , Eugenea c u m i n , F i c u s carica, Ficus microcarpa,
M a d h u c a i n d i c a , M e l i a azadirach, M i m u s o p s elengi, Pithecellobium
dulce, S t r e b l u s asper, S t r y c h n o s n u x - v o m i c a , S t r y c h n o s p o t a t o r u m ,
Terminalia arjuna, Zizyphus mauritiana.

sacred groves surveyed i n T h i r u v a n n a m a l a i district
Arani Munakkapattu Pachayyamman 0.81

Chengam Aathipadi RF Aadhiramar 28.34
Chengam Koodalur Aladiyan 4.05
Chengam Kilvanakkambadi Ammacharu 11.34
Chengam Swamimalai RF Ilayaraman 14.17
Chengam Kanchi Kaliyamma 0.82
Chengam Melapunjai Kannimar 17.00
Chengam Aathipadi Kariyaraman 20.24
Chengam Chekkadi Pudhur Kariyaramar 12.15
Chengam Melapunjai Kattukali 16.19
Chengam Chekkadi Pudhur Lakshmanaperumal 8.10

Chengam Koodalure Manickaraja 16.19
Chengam Pachal Mariyamman 20.24
Chengam Koodalur Marriyamman 0.42
Chengam Sepapattu Muniswaran 8.10
Chengam Aravangadu Muniswaran 0.89
Chengam Sennayyampettai Muniswaran 6.07
Chengam Kilsirupakkam Muniyappa 12.15
Chengam Bheemanandhal Vediyappan 12.15
Chengam Keelvanakkambadi Vediyappan 4.05
Chengam Koodalur Vediyappan 1.21
Chengam Udayyarkuppam Vediyappan 2.02
Chengam Chekkadi Pudhur Vediyappar 8.10
Chengam Chekkadi Pudhur Veerathammal 8.10
Chengam Puliyampattu Muniyappa 1.62
Chengam Puliyampattu Murugan 4.05
Chengam Aathipadi RF Murugan 1.21
Chengam Idaichikulam Muthumariyamman 2.02
Cheyyar Tiruvathur Pachayyamman 2.02
Polur Koilur Andavar 142.86
Polur Amirthi Kanni 204.08
Polur Balapurambattu Kannil 326.53
Polur Arjunapuram Kanni 326.53
Polur Mahadevamangalam Pachayyamman 0.21
Polur Amirthi Papathiyamman 122.45
Polur Puliparai Perumal 142.86
Polur Amirthi Uthukottayyamman 277.55
Polur Damaraipakkam Vaduvanar 0.21
Tiruvannamalai Tiruvannamalai Kattushiva 20.24
Tiruvannamalai Tiruvannamalai Neithikoil 2.02
Tiruvannamalai Tiruvannamalai Angalaparameswari 4.05
Tiruvannamalai Elikuthi Elikuthi Ayyanar 1.82
Tiruvannamalai Pavupattu Kannamadai Ayyanar 1.01
Tiruvannamalai Tiruvannamalai Kanni 4.05
Tiruvannamalai Alaganandhal Tiruvothamman 20.24
Vandhavasi Melsathamangalam Parasakthi 0.81
P L A T E 2 1 : Ammacharu, Hero
stone, Keezhvanakkambodi,
Chengam taluk,
Tiruvannamalai district
Tiruvannamalai District 8jJ
Sacred G r o v e a t Keelvanakkambodi
The people of Keelvanakkambodi worship a hero stone in the name
of Ammacharu. A festival is celebrated once in a year during the
summer months. They sacrifice goats and fowl as an offering to
the deity. According to local belief, Ammacharu is a goddess who
has the power to protect people from evil spirits.
The hero stone is rectangular in shape, bearing the figure of a
running warrior flourishing a sword in his right arm and holding
a round shield in his left hand near the shoulder. On his right
stands his wife. Adjacent to this stone is a small rectangular stone
with the figure of two women. This may be a s a t i stone. These
two stones are worshipped by the local people.
TIRUVARUR DISTRICT
Location: This district has been newly formed from Nagappattinam

district and is also a coastal area. Lying between 10° 46' and 11° N
and 79° 39' and 79° 70' E includes Thiruthuraippundi, Mannargudi,
Thiruvarur, Kudavasal, Nidamangalam and Nannilam taluks.
Average rainfall: 1149 mm.
Soil: Red ferruginous soil

Tiruvarur District 83j
Vegetation
The vegetation type of the district is tropical dry evergreen forest.
The common plants found in this district are: poovarasu (Thespesia
p o p u l n e a ) , nuna ( M o r i n d a t i n c t o r i a ) , sanganchedi (Capparis decidua),
al ( F i c u s benghalensis), aavarai (Cassia a u r i c u l a t a ) , nayuruvi
( A c h y r a n t h e s aspera), peiathi ( F i c u s h i s p i d a ) , iluppai ( M a d h u c a
i n d i c a ) , tamarind ( T a m r i n d u s i n d i c a ) , punnai ( C a l l o p h i l u m
i n o p h i l l u m ) , panai (Borassus flabellifer), vembu ( A z a d i r a c h t a i n d i c a ) ,
kattu i n j i ( P h e o n i x s y l v e s t r i s ) , adhondai (Capparis zeylanica),
pungam ( P o n g a m i a p i n n a t a ) , azhinjil ( A l a n g i u m s a l v i f o l i u m ) and
etti ( S t r y c h n o s n u x - v o m i c a ) .
Festivals
A festival celebrated in the month of P a n g u n i , is referred to as
p a n g u n i p e r u v i l a . As in other districts of Tamilnadu, offering pongal,
m a v i l a k k u (lighting lamps made of rice flour, jaggery and ghee),
firewalking and animal sacrifice are carried out.

sacred groves surveyed i n the Thiruvarur district
Kudavasal Kudavasal Ayyanar 0.81

Mannilam Keelakudi Ayyanar 0.81
Nannilam Mayaladi Ayyanar, Muneeswarar 0.61
TUTICORIN DISTRICT
Location: The district of Tuticorin is situated on the south eastern

coast of southern Tamilnadu. Lying between 8° 48' and 9° 50' N
and 77° 40' and 78° 20' E., it includes Sattankulam, Tiruchendur,
Srivaikuntam, Ottapidaram, Vilattikulam, Kovilpatti and Tuticorin
taluks.
Soil: The soil of the district is black cotton soil.

Turicorin District 85j
Vegetation
The vegetaion type of the district is almost similar to that of
Tirunelveli district. The most commonly found plant species of
both Tirunelveli and Tuticorin districts are Hopea (Bakanocarpus),
Hopea p a r v i f l o r a , P t e r o s p e r m u m spp., K i n g i o d e n d r o n p i n n a t u m ,
Stereospermum p e r s o n a t u m , Dalbergia latifolia, C h u k r a s i a , Artocarpus
h e t e r o p h y l l u s , A n g l a i a spp. E u p h o r b i a ( N e p h e l i u m ) ongana,
D r y p e t e s v e n u s t a , B i s c h o f l a , C a r a l l a , D i o s p y r o s insignis, Diospyros
melanoxylon, S t r o b i l a n t h s spp., G l y c o s m i s spp., vembu (Azadirachta
indica), karuveli (Prosopis juliflora), n u n a ( M o r i n d a tingtoria), p u l i
( T a m a r i n d u s i n d i c a ) , vagai ( A l b i z i a lebbeck), odai m a r a m (Acacia
planifrons), m a r u d h a m a r a m (Terminalia arjuna),
Festivals
Every village of the district has its own village gaurdian deities.
One can find an Ayyanaar/Sastha temple, in almost all the villages
of the Tirunelveli and Tuticorin district. During the festival of
Ayyanaar, the villagers make offerings of an image of a crawling
baby in order to fulfil their vows, to protect their children from
evil forces and to ensure health and prosperity.
Next to Ayyanar, the most favoured deity of the district is
Karuppusami. It is believed that if cut coins are offered to this
deity, he will punish one's enemies.
During the annual festival celebrated in summer, if the deity is
represented by a few bricks or a slab of stone it is smeared with
saffron and sandal paste and adorned with garlands. However, i f
the representation is an anthropomorphic image it is first washed
with lime juice, tender coconut water and milk and then decorated
as above.
sacred groves surveyed i n T u t i c o r i n district
Srivaikundam Seithunganallur Sundarapandyasasta 1.01

Srivaikundam Keeranur Sastha 0.81
Srivaikundam Alikudi Saththan 2.02

Srivaikundam Manakkarai Sastha 2.02
Srivaikundam Muththalankurichi Sastha 36.84
VELLORE DISTRICT
Location: Vellore district is situated to the north of Chennai,

lying between 12° 39' and 12° 57' N and 78° 39' and 79° 50' E.
The district includes Tiruppattur, Vellore, Gudiyattam, Vaniyambadi,
Arcot, Walajapet and Arakkonam taluks.
Soil: The soil is not so fertile and comprises of loam, black and
red soil.

Vegetation
The forest area of the district includes scattered dry deciduous
forest, southern thorn forest and southern Euphorbia scrub. A part
of the forest area comes under reserved forests. It is important to
mention here the Javadi hills, situated in the Polur and Vellore
taluks occupy the largest area of reserved forest, while other taluks
of Vellore district are covered by scattered forests. The Javadi hills
are in the Eastern Ghats of Tamilnadu.
The climax vegetation of the Vellore district is S a n t a l a m
a l b u m , M a n i l k a r a hexandra, Mangifera indica, Dalbergia latifolia,
Pterocarpus s a n t a l i n u s , Tectona g r a n d i s , M e l i a azadirach Ceylon iron
wood, T e r m i n a l i a chebula, T e r m i n a l i a bellarica, T e r m i n a l i a cataba,
M i c h e l i a champaka, M e l i a azadirach, D i c r o s t a c h i s cinerea, Chloroxylon
s w i e t e n i a , A l b i z z i a a m a r a , M i c h e l i a n i l a g i r i c a , Acacia ferrugenea,
Dodonea viscosa, Cassia a u r i c u l a t a , M i l l i n g t o n i a h o r t e n s i s , A z a d i r a c h t a
i n d i c a , A t a l a n t i a m o n o p h y l l a , Z i z y p h u s m a u r i t i a n a , M i m u s o p s elengi
and Z i z y p h u s x y l o p y r u s .
N u m b e r a n d size o f t h e s a c r e d g r o v e s o f V e l l o r e d i s t r i c t
Vaniyambadi Kavaloor Kaaliyamman 408.16

Vaniyambadi Amarabath Murugan 81.63
Vaniyambadi Gomuttitheertham Murugan 204.08
Vaniyambadi Kambathumalai Perumal 326.53
Vellore Madayyapattu Amman 40.82
Vellore Venkaparai Dhanjiyamman 163.27
Vellore Arasampattu Kaaliyamman 20.41
Vellore Madayyapattu Kaaliyamman 16.33
Vellore Madigam Kanni 32.65
Vellore Unaimottur Kanni 73.47
Vellore Dhanappangkottai Kanni 81.63
Vellore Pulimarathur Koothandavar 48.98
Vellore Thongumalai Murugan 204.08
Vellore Amirthi Vedappar 114.29
Vellore Swamimalai Vellandappan 40.82
Vellore Kattipattu Vellandappar 61.22
VILLUPURAM DISTRICT
Location: Villupuram district was once a part of South Arcot

district. It is situated in central Tamilnadu between 11° 47' and
12° 10' N and 79° 15' and 79° 52' E on the coast of the Bay of
Bengal. The district includes Gingee, Dindivanam, Vanur, Villupuram,
Tirukkovilur, Kallakkuruchi and Ulundurpettai taluks.
Soil: Fertile alluvium soil

Vegetation
The vegetation types of the district are between the dry deciduous
forest and the Albizzia amara community.
The commonly found species in the district are karai ( X e r o m p h i s
spinosa), vagai ( A l b i z z i a lebbeck), vidathalai ( D i c h r o s t a c h y s cinerea),
vekkali (Anogeissus l a t i f o l i a ) , soorai ( Z i z i p h u s o e n o p l i a ) , udhapoo
( I x o r a arborea), santhanam ( S a n t a l u m a l b u m ) , velvelam (Acacia
leucophloea), kontrai (Cassia fistula), mandharai ( B a u h i n i a racemosa),
milagaranai ( T o d d a l i a a s i a t i c a ) , vila ( L i m o n i a a c i d i s s i m a ) , kottai
ilandhai ( Z i z i p h u s x y l o c a r p u s ) , etti ( S t r y c h n o s n u x - v o m i c a ) , virali
(Dodonaea viscosa), arippoo ( L a n t a n a c a m a r a ) , aavarai (Cassia
a u r i c u l a t a ) , kadamulli ( M a y t e n u s e m a r g i n a t a ) , oosipillu ( A r i s t i d a
adscensionis), vembu ( A z a d i r a c h t a i n d i c a ) , sappathikalli ( O p u n t i a
d i l l e n i i ) , veppula (Securinega l e u c o p y r u s ) , kodikalli (Sarcostemma
a c i d u m ) , pavattakodilin ( T a r e n n a a s i a t i c a ) , kaya ( M e m e c y l o n
u m b e l l a t u m ) , karungali (Acacia s u n d r a ) , sirukarai ( R a n d i a m a l a b a r i c a ) ,
sothaikala ( F l a c o u r t i a i n d i c a ) , pirandai ( C i s s u s q u a d r a g u l a r i s ) ,
nallamanthanum ( C a n t h i u m dicoccum), kattuelumichai ( A t a l a n t i a
m o n o p h y l l a ) and sirukila ( C a r r i s s a s p i n a r u m ) .

sacred groves surveyed i n V i l l u p u r a m district
Kallakuruchi Veerapayangaram Veerangi Ayyanar 6.07

Kallakuruchi Tiruvaththur Pachayyamman 2.02
Sankarapuram Moorarpalayyam Ayyanarappa 2.42
Sankarapuram Paramanaththam Ayyanar and Karuppu 0.40
Sankarapuram Pichchanaththam Muniyappa 0.40
Sankarapuram Ariyaperumanur Mamundi Ayyanar 0.40
Vilupuram Veeracholapuram Pachaivaliyamman 1.21
V I R U D H U N A G A R DISTRICT
Location: This district was once a part of Ramanathapuram and

it was recently bifurcated into a new district, situated in southwest
Tamilnadu. Lying between 9° 35' and 9° 50' N . and 77° 57' and
78° 50' E. It includes Virudunagar, Srivilliputtur, Rajapalaiyam,
Aruppukkottai, Sattur and Tiruchuli taluks.
Average rainfall: 762 mm.
Soil: Red sandy fertile soil

Vegetation
The vegetation type of this district is southern thorn forest, Carnatic
umbrella thorn forest and tropical dry evergreen forest.
The common plants found in this district are A l b i z z i a a m a r a ,
Acacia c h u n d r a , Acacia f e r r u g i n e a , A z a d i r a c h t a i n d i c a , C h l o r o x y l o n
swietenia, Erythroxylon m o n o g y n u m , Zizyphus xylopyrus, Zizyphus
m a u r i t i a n a , D i c h r o s t a c h y s cinerea, Atalantia monophylla, Acacia
p l a n i f r o n s , M a n i l k a r a h e x a n d r a , M i m u s o p s elengi, Strychnos n u x -
v o m i c a , M e m e c y l o n edule, Capparis decidua, Ailnthus malabarica,
A l a n g i u m s a l v i f o l i u m and A l b i z z i a lebbeck.

sacred groves surveyed i n V i r u d h u n a g a r district
Rajapalaiyam Seththur Puththunda Ayyanar 1.61

Rajapalaiyam Devadhanum Sastha and Karuppu 404.86
Rajapalaiyam Krishnapuram Nirkattha Ayyanar 83.80
Srivilliputhur Senbaghathoppu Kattalakar 20.24
Srivilliputhur Senbagathoppu Kilaviyaththal 2.25
Srivilliputhur Andal Nandhavanam Pechchiyamman 43.82
P L A T E 3 2 : Andal nandhavanam, Srivilliputhur taluk,
Virudhunagar district
Part I I
Floristic Study of
Selected Sacred Groves
BENAGUDI SHOLA
General
Location : Benagudi shola, Kotagiri Taluk,
Nilgiri District
Nearest human habitation : Benagudi shola
Route description to grove : Kotagiri to Coonoor via. Aravenu
(4 k m from Aravenu)
Land description
Area of the grove : 612.24 ha
Ownership of the grove : temple land owned by the Irula tribes.
Nature of the terrain : hill region
Nature of soil : black, sandy soil
Water source : natural spring
Average rainfall : 1838.23 m m
Historical / Religious / Social significance o f t h e grove

Deity associated with the grove : Panchapandavar
Festivals : Pongal
Communities involved : Irula tribe
Flora and fauna of the grove : see Tables below
History a n d significance o f t h e grove

The sacred grove at Benagudi shola extends for about 50 hectares. The
grove originally belonged to the Forest Department of Tamilnadu.
Inside the forest reside the Irulas, one of the tribal groups of the
Niligiris. The Irulas have their own trustee to maintain the grove,
dedicated to the Panchapandavas.
The grove at Benagudi is maintained and conserved by the Irulas,
because it has given them shelter, besides honey and rhizomes
which are their food. They also prepare natural frankincense from
the grove. Apart from this, some plants have medicinal values.
Villagers from neighbouring villages and / or strangers are tempted
to enter the grove to collect minor forest products. In order to
Benagudi Shola 95j
preserve the grove, the Irulas have created false fears of attack by
tigers and cheetas.
The so-called deities gaurding the grove are the Panchapandavas.
The deity is a hero stone. Around this temple there are about
seven dolmens which are considered to be sacred. These were
discovered by Breek who reported them. Later, the Archaeological
Survey of India declared this area as protected and the hero stone
as a monument.
Every year during the Tamil month of C h i t h i r a i (April - May), the
Irulas and Badagas celebrate a festival i n which the Panchapandava
are the chief deity. During the festival they offer goats and fowl
and cook pongal. After the worship, the meat is shared by the
devotees gathered there.
In the heart of the Benagudi shola is an odd little shrine to the
Panchapandavas and Kariyaraya, consisting of a broken stone hut
surrounded by a low wall (or cromlech) and some sacred water.
Before sacrificing the goats / fowl, they are sanctified by sprinkling
water over them. Only i f they shiver i n the manner always held
necessary for sacrificial victims, are they sacrificed.
The cromlechs are referred to by different names by the tribals of
Nilgiri, such as s i l a k a l l u , b i r a k a l l u , v i r a k a l l u , maha s a h k a l l u , k o k a l l u
and Basuvappa. But these stones are generally called hero stones.
H e r o - stones o f Benagudi Shola

In the Nilgiris, 'hero stones' are found depicted either on orthostat
slabs of megalithic dolmens or on a separate rectangular slab
of stone known as 'bas-relief', or as singular three-dimensional
depictions. The hero stones i n bas-reliefs occur either as single
panels or as multi-tier panels. Instead of temples to the mother
goddess, the groves i n the Nilgiris belong to the heroes deified i n
the hero stones.
A majority of the multi-tier panels of hero stones in the Nilgiris
in bas reliefs have three tiers; however two-tier and four-tier hero
stones are also known to occur occasionally. But the increase i n the
number of tiers (from single to four) should not be treated as an
evolutionary sequence, as supporting evidence for this conjecture

is wanting.
In general, the three-tier hero stones of the Nilgiris show, on the
lowest tier, heroic activity of the deceased (and this is normally
shown as a close combat); on the middle tier, the deceased hero is
lifted to the other world by a pair of celestial maids on either side
(if his consorts also died with h i m by entering s a t i , they are also
depicted in the same manner); on the top tier, the deceased hero
is shown i n the other world (the hero is now shown worshipping
the Lingam either with folded hands or with an incense burner
and bell i n his hands, along with his consorts).
Kotagiri Taluk of the Nilgiris has a number of hero stones i n
groves at Betlada, Aravenu, Moonukodu. A couple of four-tier hero
stones exhibiting some exclusive features have been identified at
Betlada. They are unique i n the following respects:
• the heroic activity of the deceased person (the hero stabbing a wild
boar w i t h his spear) is depicted on the second-tier of one of the hero
stones rather than on the lowest-tier, while the other hero stone is
totally devoid of depiction of heroic activity;
• the second-tier of both the stones shows both deceased hero(es) and
their spouses who committed s a t i i n linear sequence, wherein the heroes
are shown carrying weapons;
• celestial maids are not depicted on both the stones;
• in the third-tier of one of the stones, the deceased hero is escorted to

the other world by celestial guards carrying weapons i n their upraised
arms, whereas the third-tier of the other hero-stone depicts five women
standing in line;
• the deceased heroes and their spouses are shown worshipping the
Lingam;
S a t i stones are c o m m o n i n C o i m b a t o r e , D h a r m a p u r i ,
Erode, N i l g i r i and Tiruvannamalai Districts. These stones are
mostly worshipped i n Dharmapuri and N i l i g i r i districts. It is
interesting to note that s a t i stones are found frequently i n tribal
areas of Tamilnadu, making us wonder about the origin of this
practice.
Benagudi Shola 97
Flora of t h e Benagudi shola
Trees
• Albizzia Lophantha • Meliosma arnottiana
• Brassis cartata • Memecylon malabaricum
• B u c h a n a r i a angustifolia • Michelia nilgrica
• Celtis tetrandra • Microtropis ovalifolia
• Celtis wightii • Myrsine wightiana
• C i n n a m o m u m wightti • Neolitsea zeylanica
• Daphniphyllum glaucescens • Olea bournei
• Elaeocarpus munroii • Phobe paniculata
• Elaeocarpus oblongus • Photinia lindleyana
• Euconymus crenulatus • Pittosporum arnottianum
• Eurya japonica • Prunus paddum
• Evodia Iunur-Ankenda • Pygeum gardneri
• Excoecaria crenulata • Rhododendron nilgiricum
• Glochidion nilgherrense • Symplocos foliosa
• Gordcnia obtusa • Symplocos spicata
• Hydnocarpus alpina • Syzygium arnottianum
• Ilex wightinana • Syzygium montanum
• Isonandra candolleana • Ternstroema japonica
• Ixora notoniana • Turpinia nepalensis
• Ligustrum perrotteii • Vaccinium leschenaultii
• Litsea w i g h t i a n a • Vaccinium nilgherrense
• Mappia foetio • Vernonia monosis
Shrubs
• Asperagus subulatus Plectanthus wightii
• Cassia tomentosa Pogostemon mollis
• Cytisus scoparius Polygala arillata
• Dodonea viscosa Psychotria congesta
• Eleagnus latifolia • Rhodomyrtus tomentosum

• Eupatorium glandudulosum • Rubus ellirticus
• Hedyotis stylosa • Rubus racemosus
• Lantana camera • Solanum lasvae
• Lasianthus coffoides • Solanum xanthocarpum
• M a h o n i a leschenaultii • Webra corymbosa
• Osbeckia wightiana • Xanthoxylum tetraspermum
Herbs
• Ranunculus subpinnatus • Viola serpens
• Stellaria media • Polycarpon tetraphyllum
• Hypercum wightianum • Oxalis cornculatum
• Crotalaria fysoni • Trifolium pratense
• Desmodium scalpe • Fragaria indica
• Drosera peltata • Osbeckia cupularis
• Rotala rotentifolia • Oenothera rosea
• Centella asiatica • chrysanthemifolia spp.
• Hydrocotyl totundifolia • Hydrocotyl javanica
• Dichrocephala spp. • Rubia cordifolia
Climbers
• Atilosia rugosa • Passiflora leschenaultii
• Loncera leschenaultii • Tacsonia mollissima
• M e l o t h r i a perpusilla • Tetrastigma m u r i c a t u m
• Passiflora calcarata • Vitis anamalyana
Ferns
• Alsophila latebroea • Pterdium aqullinum
• Christella dentata • Pteris cretica
• Heminotis cordata • Pteris quadriaurita
• Pleopeltis accedens
Benagudi Shola 99
Fauna o f t h e Benagudi shola
Common name Zoological name
Jungle mina Acridothere fuscus

White breasted waterhen Amaurorhis phoenicurus
Nilgiri wood pigeon Columbaelphon stonii
Jungle crow Corvus macrorhynachos
Black winged kite Elamus caeruleus
Nilgiri fly catcher Mucicapa albicaudata
Pond heron Ordiola grayii
Spotted dove Stereptopel iachinensis
Hoopoe Zipupa cupops
Wild fowl Gallus sonnerati
Wild boar Sus e r i s t a t u s
Deer/Sambar Cervus unicolor
Black - naped hare Lepus n i g r i c o l l i s
SITTANNAVASAL
General
Location : Sittannavasal, Pudukkottai district
Nearest human habitation : Sittannavasal
Route description to Grove : Pudukkottai to Viralimalai route via.
Annavasal 16 k m from Pudukkottai)
Land description
Ownership of the grove : temple land owned by the Archaeological
Survey of India.
Nature of the terrain : terrain
Nature of soil : sodic soil
Water source : natural well ( y e r i )
Average rainfall : 835 m m

Deity associated with the grove : Ayyanar, Adaikalamkathar, Pidari
Festivals : Pongal
Communities involved : Ambalakarars
Flora of the grove : see Tables below

The sacred grove at Sittannavasal extends for about 5 hectares.
Though the grove used to be maintained by the local people, it is
now under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India. The
presiding deities of the grove are Ayyanaar, Adaikalamkathar and
Pidari. The grove is dedicated to Ayyanaar.
It is interesting to note that three sacred groves are found at
the foot of the rocks which house the 7th and 9th century Jain
caves. But this is also the site of prehistoric dolmens which adjoin
the groves, suggesting a very ancient origin. I n fact, the sacred
groves are, even today, believed to be the home of the spirits of
the ancestors.
Sittannavasal 101
The annual festival at Sittannavasal is the festival of the

Ambalakarars of the district. It is also open to the public. Devotees
from neighbouring villages and even from other districts attend
this annual festival in large numbers. The local people perform
the p u j a once a year near the temple.
In Sittannavasal, there are three deities in the grove: Ayyanar,
Adaikalamkathar and Pidari. Ayyanar is worshipped daily in the
morning and evening. The other deities are worshipped once in
a year. During the festival, animals like goat, sheep and fowl are
sacrificed for Adaikalamkathar and Pidari. The slaughtering of these
is performed at a little distance from the deity. P o n g a l and rice
flour mixed with jaggary are offered to the main deity Ayyanar.
The festival is held in the months of C h i t h i r a i (March-April) and/
or A d i (June-July).
Worship of these deities during the annual festival is accompanied
by song, dance and drama. I n Sittannavasal, during the festival,
K u r a v a n j i , V a l l i T i r u m a n a m , H a r i s h c h a n d r a , P o n n a r S a n k a r and
Pasupavam are performed.
Another interesting ceremony is called k u d i r a i e d u t h a l , popular
in almost all the villages of Pudukkottai district. During summer,
the villagers perform a function for k u d i r a i eduthal (installation
of sacred horse as an offering to the Ayyanar). A l l the villagers
donate money and rice. O n an auspicious day (Wednesday) the
village potter begins the process of making the horse starting
with some clay from the old figure. The different parts of the
horse like the head, legs, the body are made separately and put
together to form a whole. The facial features and decorations are
added last. The day the eyes are 'opened' is a festive day for the
village, celebrated with offerings of pongal. Once the statue is
ready, the villagers take the horse in a procession to the Ayyanar
temple and the installation is performed by the local p u j a r i , who
is also the potter. In many villages of this district this festival is
performed in order to get the blessings of the deity for a good
harvest and prosperity.
C o m m o n plants f o u n d i n t h e sacred grove a t Sittannavaasal
Local name English name Botanical name
Climber
Kuntrimani Crab's eye Abrus precatorius
Sadhaveri Asparagus Asparagus racemosus
Kovai Little gourd Coccinia indica
Vennangukodi Verragay Combretum ovalifolium
Kurunja Common telight wood Hiptage madablata
Seendhil Bile killer T i n o s p o r a cordifolia
Sengkatharipattai Winged seeded climber Ventilago madraspatana
Pirandai Edible stemed vine Cissus q u a d r a n g u l a r i s
Herb
Nayuruvi Prickly chaff flower A c h y r a n t h e s aspera
Poolaichedi Wool plant Aerva lanata
Kalachedi Karanda Carrisa carandus
Kilukiluppai Rattlewort C r o t a l a r i a retusa
Udhapoo Junglegeranium Ixora nigricanus
Tirunitrupachilai Common basil O c i m u m basilicum
Keelanelli Jaundice herb Phyllanthus asperulatus
Arivalmanaipundu Prickly sida Sida spinosa
Shrub
Sanganchedi Caper bush Capparis decidua
Aavaarai Tanners senna Cassia a u r i c u l a t a
Kilukilupai Sann hemp Crotalaria verucosa
Virali Hedge plant[virali] Dodonaea viscosa
Kalli Milky spurge Euphorbia tirucalli
Valangarai Puneala plum Flacourtia jangomos
Kattukoliniji Purple galega Glycosmis
cochinchinensis
Kattumalligai Wild jasmine Jasminum angustifolium
Kaya Iron wood tree Memecylon umbellatum
Manjanathi Al M o r i n d a umbellata
Soorai Oblique-leaved jijube Zizyphus oenoplia
Palm
Panai Palmyra palm Borassus flabellifer
Sittannavasal 103
Tree
Kaththadimaram Malabar ailanto Ailanthus malabarica

Alinjil Sage leaved alangium A l a n g i u m salvifolium
Usil Surunja siris Albizia amara
Vagai Siris A l b i z i a lebbeck
Kattunaraththai Wild lime A t a l a n t i a missionis
Kurundhu Wild Lime Atalantia monophylla
Vembu Neem Azadirachta indica
Vambarai Eastindian stainwood Chloroxylon swietenia
Kiluvai Hill mango Commiphora caudata
Al Banyan Ficus benghalensis
Iluppai Indian butter tree M a d h u c a indica
Palai Ceylon iron wood Manilkara hexandra
Nuna Tagarwood of madras M o r i n d a tinctoria
Etti Nux-vomica Strychnos nux-vomica
Puli Tamarind Tamarindus indica
Naval Indian black plum Syzygium cumin
Vennaval Indian black plum Eugenia jambolana
Udhiyan Odina wodier Lannea coromandelica
Rehabilitation
Restoration of a sacred grove at the foothills started from September
1994, when systematic programmes were initiated by the C.P.R.
Environmental Education Centre. The area taken up for restoration
is about 4 acres and has been planted with about 800 seedlings.
The area was fenced by bio-fencing. The saplings suitable for the
local soil were chosen by the villagers and it is important to note
that the chosen saplings are traditional species. During 1997, 400
saplings were planted by our Centre. The species planted were
n a v a l , n e l l i , m a n d h a r a i , sissoo, u s i l a i , p u l i , vembu, pongai, iluppai,
v i l v u m , kontrai, velvalem, vila, al, arasu, anjan, maramalligai,
m a h i l a m , malaivembu, pavalamalli, inji, vanni, kodukkapuli, vengai,
e t t i , m a l a i m a r a m , m a r u d h a m , i l a n d h a i and bamboo.
PUTHUPET
General
Location Puthupet, Tindivanam taluk,
Villupuram district
Nearest human habitation Puthupet
Route description to Grove on the way to Pondicherry from
Marakkanam
Land description
Ownership of the grove : temple land owned by the Hindu
Religious and Charitable Endowment
Board, Government of Tamilnadu
Nature of the terrain : plains
Nature of soil : fertile alluvium soil
Water source : well
Average rainfall : 1042 m m

Deity associated with the grove : Manjaneeswara Ayyanar
Festivals : Pongal
Communities involved : l ocal communities
Flora of the sacred grove : see Tables below

The grove is dedicated to Manjaneeswara Ayyanaar. The name of
the village is Puthupatha Chavadi, but is commonly referred to
as Puthupet. The name of the village is derived from the Tamil
word p u t h u which means an anthill occupied by a snake. There
is a large anthill in the grove, with two horses dedicated to the
Ayyanaar. According to local belief, a string tied below the knee
of the horse has the power to do good or to cause harm to an
adversary.
The sacred p u t h u (termite mound) is situated under an ironwood
tree ( M e m e x y l o n u m b e l l a t u m ) , on which numerous cradles are tied
with cloth. This practice is followed in order to be blessed with
a child.
Puthupet 105
On Tuesdays and Fridays, the local people and those f r o m

neighbouring villages offer pongal, made with rice and jaggery and
light lamps made of rice flour and jaggery. It is interesting to note
that animal sacrifice does not form a part of the rituals of any of the
communities belonging to Puthupet or the neibouring villagers.
C o m m o n plants f o u n d i n the Puthupet sacred grove
Climbers
Mudakathan Heart seed Cardiospermum
halicacabum
Pirandai Edible stemmed vine Cissus quadrangularis
Kakkanam Mussel shell creeper Clitoria ternatea
Kattukodi Broom creeper Cocculus hirsutus
Kavalakodi Potato yam Dioscorea oppositifolia
Kandhal Malabar glory lily Gloriosa superba
Sirukurunja Indian pecacuanha Gymnema sylvestris
Nannari Indian sarsaprilla Hemidesmus indicus
Modhirakodi Bastard sandal Hugonia mystax
Dhudhuvalai Thorn leaved solanum Solanum trilobatum
Engkatharipattai Winged seeded climber Ventilago madraspatana
Herbs
Kuppaimeni Indian acalypha Acalypha indica

Nayuruvi Prickly chaff flower Achyranthes aspera
Nilavembu Indian gentian Andrographis paniculata
Aduthinnapalai Worm killer Aristolochia bracteolata
Naikkadugu Wild mustard Gynandropsis pentaphylla
Avuri Indigo Intigofera tinctoria
Marul Bow string hemp Sansevieria roxburgiana

Papparamulli Indian night shade Solanum indicum
Nerunji Cowthorn Tribulus terretris
Shrubs
Adathodai Malabar nut Adathoda vasika

Adhantai Capparis zeylanica
Ponnavarai Negro coffee Cassia occidentalis
Naruvili Indian clammy cerry Cordia dichotoma
Virali Hedge plant(virali) Dodonaea viscosa
Elakkai Cardamom plant Elettaria cardamomum
Kattukoliniji Purple galega Glycosmis cochinchinensis
Kumil White teak of yemane Gmelina arborea
Vallarai Indian sarsaparilla Hemidesmus indicus
Veppalai Easter tree Holarrhena antidysendrica
Maruthontri Henna plant Lawsonia inermis
Kaya Iron wood tree Memecylon umbulatum
Alari Oleander Nerium odorum
Murattam Kateera gum Sterculia villosa
Surai Oblique-leaved jijube Zizyphus oenoplia
Trees

Vagai Siris Albizia lebbeck
Kondavagai Safed siris Albizia procera
Kattunaraththai Wild lime A t a l a n t i a missionis
Kurundhu Wild lime Atalantia monophylla
Puthupet 107
Nanjundamaram Zachun-iol tree Balanites aegyptiaca

Kontrai Red laburnam Cassia marginata
Kongu False tragacanth Cochlos permumgossypium
Tennai/tengu Cocoa nut Cocos nucifera
Kanangakarai Day/dew flower Commelina benghalensis
Mavilangai Three leaved caper Cretaeva religiosa
Thodagathi Indian rose wood Dalbergia latifolia
Sisu Sisoo Dalbergia sisu
Uva/uvatteku Dellenia Dellenia indica
Mayilkontrai Gulmohr Delonix regia
Aaththi Mountain ebony Diospyros montana
Naval Indian black plum Eugenea cumin
Jambunaval Malay apple Eugenea malaccensis
Vila Wood apple Feronia elephantum
Iththi Pilklan Ficus microcarpa
Arasu Peepal Ficus religiosa
Kurukkaththi Delight of the woods Hiptage madablota
Kudasapalai Conessi bark Holarrhena antidysentarica
Ayilai Indian elm Holoptelea integrifolia
Kongu Iron wood of malabar Hopea parviflora
Ma Mango Mangifera indica
Nuna Tagarwood of Madras M o r i n d a tinctoria
Pungai Indian beech Pongamia pinnata
Manipungu Soapnut tree Sapindus emarginatus
Ambiram/ambalam Hog plum Spondias pinnata
Peramaram Sand paper tree Streblus asper
Poovarasu Portia tree Thespesia populnea
Siru ilandai Tallow wood Ximenia americana
Ilandai Chinese date Zizyphus mauritiana
UDAIYANKUDIKADU
General
Location : Udaiyankudikadu, Sendurai Taluk,
Perambalur District
Nearest human habitation : Udaiyankudikadu
Route description to Grove : Ariyalur to Kulumur via. Sendurai
Land description
Area of the grove : 4.05 hectares
Ownership of the grove : Udaiyars and Vanniyars
Nature of the terrain : plains
Nature of soil : red sandy soil
Water source : pond
Average rainfall : 870 mm.

Deity associated with the grove : Karumbayiranar
Festivals : Pongal
Communities involved :
Udaiyars and Vanniyars
Nature of vegetation and its
flora and fauna composition :
See Tables below

The sacred grove at Udaiyankudikadu extends for about 4.05 hectares.
The land originally belonged to the village Udaiyankudikadu. It has
been maintained by the local trustees. The grove is dedicated to
the deity Karumbayiranar.
Karumbayiranar is a male deity lower in rank to Ayyanaar, who
is sometimes worshipped separately. The deity is represented by an
anthropomorphic image with some tridents in front it.
Lime mortar figures of large and small horses, elephants, dogs
and other animals or objects are arranged in rows under the shade
of the trees, representing the gifts of pious devotees, who when
they or their families were i l l or in distress, took a vow to dedicate
such offerings to Karumbayiranar.
Udaiyankudikadu 109
The annual festival at Udaiyankudikadu is the festival of the

Udaiyars and Vanniyars of local and neibouring villages. The annual
festival called U r a n i pongal is celebrated in Tamilnadu. Every family
of the locality comes to the temple for a ritual cooking of rice.
u l u n d u vadai, p a y i r u vadai, p a r u p p u vadai and kambu vadai, boiled
m o c h a i p a y i r u and k a r a m a n i p a y i r u , etc., are offered to the deities
of the temple and distributed as prasadam to all those who took
part in the festival.
The villagers organise t e r u k o o t h u at night when Kuravanji and
Harichandra ( m a y a n a k a n d a m ) , are performed. Dummy horse show
(poikkal k u d h i r a i a t t a m , k a r a g a t t a m and k u m m i are also performed.
Beside the annual festival, everyday worship is performed in the
month of M a r k a l i (December to January).
Flora a n d fauna o f t h e sacred grove
C o m m o n plants found i n the sacred grove a t U d a i y a n k u d i k a d u
Climbers
Mudakathan Heart seed Cardiospermum halicacabum
Kurunja Common delight wood Hiptage madablata
Pirandai Edible stemed vine Cissus q u a d r a n g u l a r i s
Herbs
Nayuruvi Prickly chaff flower Achyranthes aspera

Poolaiched Wool plant Aerva lanata
Sotrukathalai Aloe A l o e vera
Kilukiluppai Rattlewort Crotalaria retusa
Keelanelli Jaundice herb Phyllanthus niruri

Karandhai Iron weed Vernonia arborea
Sirukathalai Miniature agave Caralluma sarkarii
Vallarai Indiansarasaphilla Hemidesmus indicus
Shrubs
Indu Tiger-stopper Acacia torta

Adathodai Malabar nut Adathoda vasica
Erukku Calotrop Calotropis gigantia
Virali Hedge plant Dodonaea viscosa
Kolinji Purple galenga Glycosmis cochinchinensis
Kumil Small cashmere tree Gmelina asiatica
Kattumalligai Wild jasmine Jasminum angustifoliu
Nochi Five leaved chaste tree Vitex negundu
Soorai Oblique-leaved jujube Zizyphusoenoplia
Kattu inji Wild date palm Pheonix sylvestris
Trees

Vagai Siris Albizzia lebbeck
Kattunarathai Wild lime Atalantia monophylla
Konrai Indian laburnum Cassia fistula
Aathi Mountain ebony Diospyros m o n t a n a
Ichilaa Pilklan Ficus microcarpa
Nuna Tagarwood of madras Morinda tinctoria
Udaiyankudikadu 111
Pera Sand paper tree S t r e b l u s asper

Naval Indian black plum Syzygium cumin
C o m m o n fauna f o u n d i n the sacred grove a t U d a i y a n k u d i k a d u
Aandhai Owl Otus bakkamoena

Kaadai Quail Tetrao coturnix
Vavvaal Bat Megachiroptera
Kattupoonai Jungle cat F e l i s chaus
Keeri Mungoose Viverra ichnenmon
Kuyil Indian cuckoo Cuculus canorus
Muyal Indian hare Lepus n i g r i c o l l i s
Nallapambu King cobra Naja naja
Nari Jackal Canis aureus
Pura Pigeon Ectopistes migratorius
Udumbu Double-tongued lizard Lacerta iguana
Parundhu Eagle Aquila chrysaetos
TIRUKURUNGUDI
General
Location : Tirukurungudi, Nanguneri Taluk,
Tirunelveli District
Nearest human habitation : Tirukurungudi
Route description to grove :
Land description between Nanguneri and Kalakkadu
Area of the grove :

Ownership of the grove :
494.10 hectares
Nature of the terrain : temple land owned by the local

Nature of soil : villagers.
hilly (Western Ghats)
Water source :
red loam soil
Average rainfall :
natural stream
Historical / Religious / Social 960 mm.

significance o f t h e grove
Deity associated with the grove :
Nambialagar
Festivals :
Pongal
Flora and Fauna of the grove :
see Tables below

The sacred grove at Tirukurungudi extends for about 494.10
hectares. The land originally belonged to the Forest Department
of Tamilnadu and was being maintained by the Iyengars of
Tirukurungudi who are now the trustees. The grove is dedicated
to the deity Nambialagar.
The presiding deity Nambialagar is another form of Vishnu. It
is believed that this temple is i n existence from the period of the
early Pandyas as evidenced by the worn inscription on a slab on
the southern side of the s a n c t u m s a n c t o r u m . It is a temple with
beautiful stone sculptures.
Many gifts are offered to the deity by the people of the local
as well as neibouring village and by pious devotees to be blessed
with wealth and prosperity of their family.
Tirukurungudi 113
The festivals at Udaiyankudikadu are those of the Iyengars viz.

Sri Rama Navami, Krishna Jayanti and Vaikunta Ekadesi.
S r i R a m a N a v a m i is the birth anniversary of Sri Rama and is
celebrated in the month of C h i t h i r a i on the ninth day of the bright
fortnight when the asterism P u n a r v a s u is in the ascendancy. Men
of all grades observe this v r a t h a for obtaining prosperity, long life
happiness and wisdom.
K r i s h n a J a y a n t i is the birthday of Krishna celebrated as a festive
and sacred day on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the
month of A v a n i (August to September).
V a i k u n t a Ekadesi is said to be the eleventh day of the bright
fortnight in the month of M a r g a l i (December to January). This
occasion could secure for the observer of the v r a t h a , freedom from
birth and liberation fom bondage.The observance of the v r a t h a
consists in rigid fasting followed by the worship of Vishnu.
The temple is situated on a hill approximately 1400 meters high.
P u j a s are performed thrice a day.
Flora a n d fauna o f t h e sacred grove
C o m m o n plants f o u n d i n the sacred grove o f T i r u k u r u n g u d i
Climbers
Sempirandai Adamant creeper Cissus q u a d r a n g u l a r i s
Kaattukilangu Potato yam Dioscorea pentaphylla
Kandhal Malabar glory lily G l o r i o s a superba
Nannari Indian sarsaprilla Hemidesmus indicus
Modhirakodi Bastard sandal H u g o n i a mystacx
Mullai Arabian jasmine Jasminum multiflorum

Seendhil Bile killer Tinospora cordifolia
Engkatharipattai Winged seeded climber Ventilago madraspatana
Herbs
Sotru kathalai Aloe A l o e vera
Mailakkondai Commonspleen wort Asplenium trichomanes
Kattukalakkaai Karanda C a r r i s a congesta
Karpurapullu Lemon grass Cymbopogon citratus
Sukkunaripullu Citronella grass Cymbopogon nardus
Kal/kattumungil Male/solid bamboo Dendrocalamus strictus
Pani/usipullu Spear/wild oats Heteropogon contortus
Avuri Indigo Indigofera t i n c t o r i a
Udhapoo junglegeraniuM Ixora nigricanus
Dhumbai Dead white nettle Leucas aspera
Karundhulasi Purple stalked basil Ocimum americanam
Karpurathulasi Camphor basil O c i m u m kilimandscharicum
Aanai nerunji Bristly trifoliate Pedalium murex
Anaisundai Wild solanum S o l a n u m ferox
Kandankathari Yellow-berried nightshade S o l a n u m surattense
Shrubs
Perum tutti Country mallow Abutilon indicum
Indu Tiger-stopper Acacia t o r a
Seemai agathi Candle tree Cassia a l a t a
Tirukurungudi 115
Local n a m e English n a m e Botanical n a m e
Naravam Peacock's crest Ceasalpinia pulcherrima

Kattunocchi Wild chaste tree Debregeasia salci
Virali Hedge plant [virali] Dodonaea viscosa
Peiyatti Wild fig Ficus hispida
Vellaikumil Cashmere tree Gmelina pinnata
Maruthontri Henna plant Lawsonia inermis
Vidathirai Ashy babool Mimosa cinerea
Karunceevapattai Indian ipecuanha Tylophora asthmatica
Nocchi Five leaved chaste tree Vitex negundo
Trees
Karungali Cutch tree Acacia catechu
Velvelam Brewer's acacia Acacia leucophloea
Thilakam Barba doespride Adenanthera pavonia
Kaththadimaram Malabar ailanto Ailanthus malabarica
Vagai Siris Albizia lebbeck
Kondavagai Safed siris Albizia procera
Kadambu Queens flower Anthocephalus chinensis
Pala Jack fruit tree Artocarpus integrifolia
Ottipala Monkey fruit Artocarpus lakoocha
Moongil Bamboo Bambusa bambos
Semmandharai Buddhist bauhinia B a u h i n i a variegata

Morala Cuddapah almond Buchanania lanzan
Purasu Bastard teak Butea frondosa
Pirambu/sural Common rattan Calamus rotang
Maramanoranjidam Ylang-ylang Canangium odoratum
Ayma Patana oak Carelluma fimbriate
Sarakontrai Indian laburnam Cassia fistula
Kontrai Siamese tree Cassia glauca
Kontrai Red laburnam Cassia m a r g i n a t a
Mullilavu Redflowered silk cotton Ceiba p e n t a n d r a
Kalluviri Nettle tree Celtis australis
Kaviya The nilgiri elm Celtis t e t r a n d r a
Kappalei Adam's apple Chrysophyllum roxburgii
Punaittitta False pareira brava Cissampelos pareira
Chirudhekku Wild teak Clerodendron serratum
Vattakanni Glorytree Clerodendrum viscosum
Kongu False tragacanth Cochlos p e r m u m g o s s y p i u m
Thanakkam Whitting nut Cyrocarpus jacquini
Sisu Sisoo D a l b e r g i a sisu
Uva/uvatteku Dellenia Dellenia indica
Mayilkontrai Gulmohr D e l o n i x regia
Undhool European bamboo reed Dendrocalamus giganteus
Kalmoongil Solid bamboo Dendrocalamus strictus
Aaththi Mountain ebony Diospyros m o n t a n a
Rudraksham Utrasum bead Elaeocarpus tuberculatus
Arunelli Country gooseberry Emblica myrobalan
Mullumurukku East indian coral tree E r y t h r i n a indica
Jambunaval Malay apple Eugenea malaccensis
Seemai athi Fig F i c u s carca
Athi Country fig Ficus glomerata
Tirukurungudi 117
Murgal Kokam butter tree Garcinia indica

Vivasayatagarai Spotted gliricidia Gliricidia sepium
Kudasapalai Conessi bark Holarrhena antidysentarica
Ayilai Indian elm Holoptelea integrifolia
Kongu Iron wood of malabar Hopea p a r v i f l o r a
Kongu A common caung Hopea w i g h t i a n a
Malaivembu Persian liliac Melia azadirach
Sempakam Champak Michelia champaka
Kattuchambagam Champac Michelia nilagirica
Kudasam Indian cork M i l l i n g t o n i a hortensis
Mahilam Indian nedler M i m u s o p s elengi
Nuna Tagarwood of madras M o r i n d a tinctoria
Thanakkam Small ash soot M o r i n d a umbellata
Karunjiragam Black cumin Nigella sativa
Kudasam Wild olive O l e a europaea var. sativa
Kattu inju Wild date palm Pheonix sylvestris
Poomuthi Ceylon oak P i s t a c i a oleosa
Agasatamarai Water lettuce Pistia stratiotes
Kodukkapuli Manilla tamarind P i t h e c e l l o b i u m dulce
Marukkalankay Emetic nut Randia dumetorum
Pidavu Badely emetic rat Randia malabarica
Uka/paangkar Tooth brush tree S a l v a d o r a persica
Aaram Sandalwood Santalum album
Pumaratha Macassar oil tree Schleichera oleosa
Ambiram/ambalam Hog plum Spondias pinnata
Peramaram Sand paper tree S t r e b l u s asper
Kurunji Strobilanthes Strobilanthes foliosus
Kurunji Strobilanthes Strobilanthes kunthianus
Kurunji Strobilanthes Stobilanthes decurrens
Tetra Clearing nut tree Strychnos p o t a t o r u m
Puli Tamarind T a m a r i n d u s indica
Local n a m e English n a m e Botanical name
Katramardi Indian laural Terminalia alata

Marudham Queens flower Terminalia arjuna
Nattu-vadumai Badam tree Terminalia catappa
Kadukkai Gallnut tree Terminalia chebula
Malaipoovarasu River portia Trewia nudiflora
Ilandai Indian plum Zizyphus mauritiana
C o m m o n animals f o u n d i n the sacred grove a t T i r u k u r u n g u d i
Local n a m e English n a m e Botanical name
Siruthai Leopard Felis pardus

Karadi Sloth bear Melursus ursinus
Pullimaan Chital A x i s axis
Nalukombu maan Black buck Antilope cervicapra
Kattunari Wolf Canis lupus
Kattuerumai Bison Bos g a u r u s
Yanai Elephant Elephas maximus
Kattupanri Wild boar Sus scrpfa
Udumbu Double tongued lizard Lacerta iguana
Keeree Common mongoose Herpestes edwardsi
Kattupunai Jungle cat F e l i s chaus
Mullampantri Indian porcupine H y s t r i x indica
DEVADANAM
General
Location : Devadanam, Rajapalaiyam Taluk,
Virudhunagar District
Nearest human habitation : Devadanam
Route description to grove :
Land description between Rajapalaiyam and Sivagiri.
Area of the grove :

Ownership of the grove :
405 hectares
Nature of the Terrain : temple land owned by the forest

Nature of soil : department
Water source : undulated
Average rainfall : red clay / loam and sandy soil

stream
Historical / Religious / Social 762 mm.
significance o f the grove
Deity associated with the grove :
Sastha, Karuppu, Saptakannis grove
and Andavar
Festivals : Pongal
Communities involved : all communities of the Rajapalaiyam
taluk.
Flora and fauna of the grove : see Tables below

The sacred grove at Devadanam extends for about 405 hectares. The
land originally belonged to the Forest Department of Tamilnadu, and
lies in the Sathur range of Western Ghats. It has been maintained by
the local trustees of Devadanam village. The grove is dedicated to
the deities Sastha, Karuppu, Saptakannis and Andavar. This temple
stands on a small rock shaded by trees.
Sastha and Saptakannis are the main deities and Andavar is a
lower order male deity, who is sometimes worshipped separately.
The deity is represented by an anthrophomorphic image and some
tridents are found in front of the deity.
Clay horses gifted by pious devotees stand under the shade

of the trees. Pongal and animal sacrifice are offered to Andavar.
Animals are sacrificed a little away from the Sastha. Pujas are not
performed regularly, but the devotees and cowherds worship the
deities everyday.
The annual festival at Devadanam is the festival of all the
communities living i n the local village. The festival includes making
pongal, rice cooking and animal sacrifice. This festival is usually
held during the month of Adi (July to August). During the festival
goats and fowl are sacrificed and offered to the deity.
Flora and fauna o f the sacred grove
C o m m o n plants f o u n d in the sacred groves of D e v a d a n a m
Climbers
Mullukala/usikala Indian barberry Berberis aristata

Tiruvaigalli Spurge cactus Euphorbia antiquorum
Sempirandai Adamant creeper Cissus q u a d r a n g u l a r i s
Veliparuthi Hedge-twiner Pergularia daemia
Adhantai Capper bush Capparis zeylanica
Herbs

Kalakkai Karanda Carrisa carandus
Devadanam 121

Kilukiluppai Rattlewort Crotalaria retusa
Manjakarisilangkanni Jaundice eclipta Wedelia
calendulacea
Shrubs

Vandukolli Ring worm shrub Cassia a l a t a
Kalli Milky spurge Euphorbia tirucalli
Kattamanakku Common physic nut Jatropha curcas
Karunceevapattai Indian ipecuanha Tylophora asthmatica
Nochi Five leaved chaste tree Vitex negundo
Trees
Velvelam Red catechu Acacia leucophloea

Thilakam Brewer's acacia Adenanthera pavonia
Anaikundumani Barba doespride Adenanthera pavonina
Vilvam Red wood tree Aegle marmelos

Kaththadimaram Bengal quince Ailanthus malabarica
Alinjil Malabar ailanto A l a n g i u m salvifolium
Usil Sage leaved alangium Albizia amara
Vagai Surunja siris A l b i z i a lebbeck
Kadambu Custard apple Anthocephalus cadamba
Kattunaraththai Monkey fruit A t a l a n t i a missionis
Vembu Wild lime Azadirachta indica
Nanjundamaram Neem Balanites aegyptiaca
Palasa Flame of the forest Butea frondosa
Kontrai Indian laburnam Cassia glauca
Karumpurasu Eastindian stain wood Chloroxylon swietenia
Thodagathi Indian Rose wood Dalbergia latifolia
Kalmoongil European bamboo reed Dendrocalamus strictus
Seemai athi Fig Ficus carca
Thanakku Whitting nut Gyrocarpus jacquini
Dhavsimaram Iron wood of malabar Holoptelea integrifolia
Malaivembu Persian liliac Melia azadirach
Mahilam Indian nedler Mimusops elengi
Thanakkam Small ash soot M o r i n d a umbellata
Kodukkapuli Manilla tamarind Pithecellobium dulce
Aaram Sandalwood Santalum album
Devadanam 123
Etti Poison-nut tree Strychnos nux-vomica

Atrupoovarasu River portia Trewia nudiflora
Pirambu/sural Cane/common rattan Calamus rotang
Inju/ichu Wild date-palm P h o e n i x sylvestris
Udaimaram Umbrella thorn Acacia planifrons
Udhiyamaram Odaiyana Lanea coromandelica
C o m m o n animals f o u n d i n t h e sacred grove a t D e v a d a n a m
Pullimaan Chital A x i s axis

Nalukombu maan Black buck Antilope cervicapra
Kattunari Wolf Canis lupus
Kattuerumai Bison Bos g a u r u s
Aanai Elephant Elephas maximus
Kattupanri Wild boar Sus scrpfa
Udumbu Double tongued lizard Lacerta iguana
Keeree Common mongoose Herpestes edwardsi
Kattupunai Jungle cat F e l i s chaus
Mullampantri Indian porcupine Hystrix indica
Nallapambu King cobra Naja naja
Kuyil Indian cuckoo Cuculus canorus
Muyal Indian hare Lepus n i g r i c o l l i s
Pura Pigeon Ectopistes migratorius
CONCLUSION
The k o v i l k a a d u g a l of Tamil Nadu are the last remnants of the local

people's struggle to conserve ancient forests with their wealth of
herbal plants and resources which supported rural lifestyles. They
have been found all over India and are given different names i n
different states, such as "Mawflong" i n Assam and Meghalaya,
"Mangaoon", "Ghols" i n Western Ghats, "Kavu" i n Kerala, "Deorai"
in Madhya Pradesh, "Devarkadu" in Goa, "Orans" in Rajasthan.
In this survey, the majority of sacred groves covered were i n
Perambalur, Tiruvannamalai and Tiruchirapalli districts. However, no
survey can ever be totally comprehensive and there are many more
groves in every village i n every nook and corner of the state.
This survey gives us the general characteristics of the sacred groves
of Tamil Nadu. Further studies could lead to detailed statistical
information of many more groves which could be very useful i n
understanding the conservation of India's biological heritage.
The groves are situated at the outskirts of the village, thereby serving
as shelter belts or wind brakers, and are beneficial to the farmers.
They are the home of a variety of medicinal plants which could be
of importance for the study of Indian herbal medicinal systems.
The sacred groves have integrated social, cultural and religious
perceptions in one master image and have motivated generations,
past, present and future, to safeguard the integrity and diversity
of various ecosystems. They are probably the best examples of
human ecology.
While sacred groves are found all over the country, they
are gradually shrinking i n size and number as an increasing
population requires more land for agricultural development. Thus
these large pockets of biodiversity are gradually decreasing to
become small patches of trees and plants and finally may even
disappear. This makes their conservation an urgent and essential
matter which should be taken up zealously by every ecologist and
conservationist.
From this survey the following general characteristics of sacred
groves were observed:
• The size of the grove varied from as small as 0.21 ha. in Tiruvallur district
to as large as 673.47 ha. i n Erode district (see Tables I and I I I ) .
Conclusion 125
• The largest concentration of sacred groves was found i n Perambalur,

Tiruvannnamalai and Tirunchirappalli (see Table I I ) .
• The deity associated w i t h the groves may be either male or female
(see Table I ) .
• In many instances the deity consists of merely an anthrophormic slab
of stone, a hero stone, sati stone or a trident. Irregular lumps of stone
even serve as the deity i n some places.
• Votive offerings of terracotta figures are made to Ayyanaar i n fulfillment
of a vow.
• The tettacotta figures are usually domestic animals like the horse or
bull. Sometimes, terracotta figures of elephants are also offered.
• Often a thread is wound around a tree or miniature cradles are hung
from the branches. The first is a form of prayer, while the second is a
prayer for a child, particularly male.
• In all the groves offering pongal to the associated deity either by
individuals or by the local community is observed.
• Sacrifice of fowl, goat, sheep and buffalo is offered to all deities except
Ayyanaar, Anjaneyar and Rama.
• Some endangered, rare and threatened medicinal plant species are found
in the sacred groves.
Botanical name Status
Aloe vera endangered

Atropa belladonna endangered
Tinospora malabarica endangered
Colchicum luteum vulnerable
Indigofera barberi rare
Gloriosa superba threatened
Rauvolfia serpentina critical
Asparagus rottleri critical
• A n annual festival is celebrated i n almost all the intact sacred groves

accompanied by community offering of pongal and animal sacrifice.
This event supports and encourages folk dances and folk theatre.
• The sacred groves are associated w i t h taboos and beliefs which have
helped to preserve the natural resources.
• Some sacred groves are archaeological sites and the Archaeological

Survey of India has declared them as protected monuments/areas, e.g.
Benagudi shola, Sittannavasal, etc.
• In all the districts, degraded sacred groves were also found, but no
statistical survey was conducted.
There are many documented reports on sacred groves from

several regions of the country but so far they have not arrived
at any consensus. There is no national policy on this ecosystem,
which is unique to India.
Thus, there is an urgent need for a National Policy on Sacred
Groves which w i l l meet the following objectives:
• To authenticate, preserve, conserve, protect and to acknowledge the efforts

of the people of this country i n preserving the local biodiversity.
• To restore, regenerate, renovate and improve the degraded groves without
destroying the pristine nature or the original balance among species
and sub-species.
• To allow and encourage the evolution of such groves within and outside
the government forests.
• To recognise, sacred groves as a mark of traditional Indian culture,
respecting the social and religious sentiments.
• To recognise all sacred groves and to treat them as an ecosystem
preserved by people from time immemorial.
• To conduct a nation-wide survey of all existing sacred groves throughout
the country w i t h collaboration from university departments, educational
institutions, research institutions, state departments of forests, revenue,
religious endowments, v o l u n t a r y organisations, panchayats and
individuals.
• To recognise sacred groves as the repository of our rural biodiversity.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Francis, W., Frederick Nicholson, Middlemiss, C.S. and C.A. Barber,
Gazetteer of S o u t h I n d i a , Vol. I & I I , 1988-89, Mittal Publications, New
Delhi.
Meher-Homji, V . M , 1973, A Phytosociological S t u d y o f the A l b i z z i a amara
B o i v . C o m m u n i t y o f I n d i a , P h y t o c o e n o l o g i a , Vol. I , No. I , pp 114-129.
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Whitehead, H , 1983, T h e V i l l a g e Gods o f S o u t h I n d i a , Asian Educational
Services, New Delhi
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Publishers, Delhi
Kumaravelu, M , 1997, H e r o Stones o f Betlada, The Downstown Chronicle,
Nilgiri.
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Shakunthala Jaganathan, 1994, I n d i a - P l a n y o u r o w n h o l i d a y , Vakils, Feffer
& Simons Ltd, Bombay.
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pp 76-80, in T h e Ecological T r a d i t i o n s o f T a m i l n a d u , ed. Dr. Nanditha
Krishna and Javanthi Prabhakaran, C.P.R. Environmental Education
Centre, The C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation, Chennai
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T h u l a s i , Ramasamy, 1985, N e l l a i M a v a t t a N a a t t u p u r a Deivangal,
International Institute of Tamil Studies, Chennai.
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Educational Services, New Delhi
Gopalakrishnan, M , 1995, Ed. Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu State,
Gazetters of I n d i a , Government of Tamilnadu, Chennai.
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Research Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai.
APPENDIX I
Sacred Groves o f Tamilnadu
Coimbatore
Pollachi Aliyar Ayyappan 20.08
Valparai Waterfalls Ayyappan 2.04
Valparai Waterfalls Ayyappan 40.82
Pollachi Kaliyapuram Kaliyamman 2.04
Pollachi Anamalai Maasaaniyamman 2.04
Valparai Kadamparai Muniswarar 40.82
Valparai Kavarkkal Muniswarar 81.63
Valparai Rottikadai Muniswarar 4.08
Valparai Ayyarpadi Muniswarar 4.08
Pollachi Kaliyapuram Nagooramman 4.08
Cuddalore
Tittakudi Perumalai Karuppusami 2.82

Kattumannarkudi Nachiyarpalayyam Tholiyappar 4.05
Virudhachalam Virudhachalam Vedappar 0.81
Dharmapuri
Denkanikota Jodhikottai Ayyanar 163.27

Dharmapuri Thoppur Anjaneyar 204.08
Denkanikota Gullatty Anjaneyar 32.65
Dharmapuri Pagalpatti Anumandhan 81.63
Dharmapuri Jaganadhakombai Anumar 32.65
Dharmapuri Moolakombai Anumar 244.90
Dharmapuri Vellakal Boodhikun- 204.08
damuniyappa
Dharmapuri Kettipatti Ellamuniyappa 61.22
Denkanikota Malligarjuna Kapalamman 20.41
Dharmapuri Kombai Kattumariyamman 408.16
Dharmapuri Elagiri Kattumariyamman 122.45
Denkanikota Gullatty Kattumariyamman 408.16
Uttangarai Kodiyur Kolalachiyamman 1.21
Dharmapuri Elagiri Kolikunjumari 97.96
Denkanikota Sameri Madheswaran 285.71
Appendix I 129
Denkanikota Dholuvapettai Madheswaran 285.71

Dharmapuri Vellakal Madheswarar 48.98
Denkanikota Denkanikota Nanjundeswarar 61.22
Uthangarai Dhippampatti Pathiniyamman 0.40
Dharmapuri Vakuthapatti Pattalamman 4.04
Uttangarai Mettusulakarai Pattalamman 0.40
Uttangarai Ammankovilpadi Pattalamman 1.61
Denkanikota Gullatty Podoorappan 408.16
Dharmapuri Kalappathy Sellampathi Mari 0.40
Murappur Pannikulam Selliyamman 1.01
Uttangarai Periyadalapadi Sevittuvediyappan 0.21
Dharmapuri Kettipatti Tunikattimariyamman 40.82
Denkanikota Gullatty Uleerappan 489.80
Denkanikota Bhoomanpedu Uleerappan 612.24
Denkanikota Kochavadi Veerannan 97.96
Uttangarai Mangalpatti Veerapadhran 0.21
Dindigul
Nattam Alagarkoil Kalalagar 153.85
Nattam Palamudhirsolai Solaimalimurugan 323.89
Nattam Palamudhirsolai Rakkasiyamman 485.83
Nattam Uluppakudi Kanni 83.00
Nattam Pillayyaradi Mahamuni 40.49
Nattam Ayyanararuvi Ayyanar 60.73
Erode
Sathiyamangalam Ramapayalur Bengapahimari 408.16
Sathiyamangalam Kuntricentral Anjaneyar 81.63
Bhavani Koyilur Sadasami 122.45
Sathiyamangalam Komalam Jadayyasami 163.27
Sathiyamangalam Kongarpalayam Kalluthumuni 530.61
Sathiyamangalam Attanai Kambandharayan 510.20
Sathiyamangalam Kannimarpadai kannimariyamman 204.08
Sathiyamangalam Nandipuram Karuvanarayan 73.47
Bhavani Ennamangalam Lionmariamman 204.08
Bhavani Bhavani Lionmariamman 204.08
Sathiyamangalam Andhiyurcolony Malaikaruppu 73.47
Sathiyamangalam Dhimbam Malliyamman 163.27
Sathiyamangalam Malliyamdurgam Malliyamman 367.35

Sathiyamangalam Belari Moolasangarayan 326.53
Sathiyamangalam Makkampalayam Padhrakali 612.24
Sathiyamangalam K.N.Palayam Periyasamy 408.16
Bhavani Aththanicolon Perumal 265.31
Bhavani S.Bargur Ponnachiyamman 326.53
Sathiyamangalam Bhoodhikuppai Sangapurimari 408.16
Sathiyamangalam Beerkadavu Semmalayyandavar 673.47
Sathiyamangalam Beerkadavu Thotakombaimari 122.45
Kanchipuram
Chengluput Tiruninravur Irudhayeswarar 1.01
Chengulput Nenmeli Maariyamman 1.61
Maraimalainagar Maraimalainagar Murugan 2.83
Chengluput Tiruvidandhai Nithiyakalyana- 4.04
perumal
Kanyakumari
Thuckaley Mandaikadu Bhagavathiyamman 0.81
Vilangode Puliyarai Isakkiyamman 1.63
Vilangode Andakode Iswarakalabhootha 4.10
Vilangode Kulithurai Kulithuraisastha 1.63
Vilangode Thottathumadam Padhrakaliyamman 0.81
Thuckaley Pechiparai Pechiyamman 7.35
Vilangode Karithurai Sastha 1.63
Vilangode Gnarakadu Sastha 0.81
Thuckaley Kulasekaram Sastha 3.27
Thuckaley Melapuram Sastha 1.63
Thuckaley Kulasekaram Samundeeswari 8.20
Vilangode Vettumani Vettuvannisastha 3.27
Karur
Karur Velayudhampalayam Ayyanar 3.24
Karur Kodangipatti Kaaliyamman 0.81
Karur Manmangalam Kaaliyamman 3.24
Karur Kodangipatti Periyasami 3.21
Karur Thanthontrimalai Maariyamman 0.81
Karur Manmangalam Maariyamman 1.22
Appendix I 131
Karur Mayanur Madhukkarai 1.62

Karur Punnam Malayyayi 1.62
Madurai
Vadipatti Kudladampatti Dhadakalachiyamman 40.82
Vadipatti Vadipatti Palaniyandavar 4.10
Madurai North Pandikoil Pandimuniswarar 1.21
Nagappattinam
Sirkali Devarajapuram Adaikalamkathaayyan 0.81
Mailadudhurai Chavadi Ayyanar 0.81
Mailadudhurai Anniyur Ayyanar 0.81
Sirkali Perundhottam Ayyanar 0.81
Sirkali Neppathur Ayyanar 0.81
Sirkali Neidhavasal Ayyanar 0.61
Sirkali Melayyur Ayyanar 1.62
Sirkali Tiruanniyur Ayyanar 2.01
Tirutturaipundi Anniyur Ayyanar 3.04
Nagappattinam Sikkal Subgaravegar 2.02
Sirkali Tirukattupalli Supthamadha 8.13
Namakkal
Namakkal Mohanur Kaliyamman 1.22
Namakkal Mohanur Pattamarthan 1.62
Namakkal Mohanur Mavaladiyan 1.62
Namakkal Pavithram Pidari vs.Ambayi 0.41
Namakkal Pavithram Karuppannaswami 1.22
Namakkal Ayilur Angaalamman 1.22
Namakkal Solakkadu Aachiyamman 24.50
Namakkal Kalleri Ponnukuthamman 7.35
Namakkal Vellakuli Periyasami 14.29
Namakkal Kadambalam Sinnammaal 6.12
Namakkal Pilandur Sinnammaal 6.12
Namakkal Puduvalaivu Kuchakulipidari 12.24
Namakkal Valapur Arangathappan 4.10
Namakkal Asaikadupatti Sinnammaal 16.33
Namakkal Arivurpudhuvalaivu Selamadayyamman 14.29
Namakkal Arivurpudhuvalaivu Ettukayyamman 2.86
Namakkal Arivurpudhuvalaivu Sadamadan 11.43

Namakkal Valavandhikaspa Kongkaliyamman 16.33
Namakkal Karayyankadu Kaaliyamman 8.20
Namakkal Selur Kongkaayiamman 6.12
Nilgiri
Coonoor Aravakkadu Amman 40.82
Coonoor Melurkundam Amman 4.08
Coonoor Devarshola Badhrakali 6.82
Gudalore Bokkapuram Kokkal 6.07
Kotagiri Sakkatha Mariyamman 20.41
Ooty Cincona Muniswarar 40.82
Coonoor Ellakandi Muniswarar 204.08
Ooty Governershola Muniswarar 204.08
Ooty Kalati checkpost Muniswarar 1.62
Ooty Kalmandh Muniswarar 40.82
Ooty Kernhill Muniswarar 40.82
Coonoor Kethi Muniswarar 0.82
Ooty Kuruthukuli Muniswarar 20.41
Ooty Mullikombai Muniswarar 326.53
Ooty Parsinsveli Muniswarar 81.63
Coonoor Perungalmattam Muniswarar 40.82
Ooty Pudhumattam Muniswarar 40.82
Ooty Samraj Muniswarar 4.08
Gudalore Masanakudi Murugan 4.05
Coonoor Aldane Nagadevan 20.41
Coonoor Manjakombai Nagadevan 20.41
Coonoor Melur Nagadevan 204.08
Coonoor Melurkundam Panjapandavar 326.53
Ooty Aganadu Panjapandavar 2.04
Gudalore Benagudi Panjapandavar 285.71
Gudalore Mavanella Panjapandavas 4.05
Gudalore Karukudi Pasavappa 8.10
Coonoor Rajendranagar Runnimariyamman 16.33
Ooty Dottabeta Vanaganapathi 32.65
Kotagiri Kesalada Vinayagar 6.12
Appendix I 133
Perambalur
Ariyalur Rayampuram Ayyanar 3.27
Ariyalur Ottakoil Ayyanar 0.81
Ariyalur Kallamodu Ayyanar 1.22
Ariyalur Poyyur Ayyanar 2.04
Ariyalur Kavattanguruchi Ayyanar 2.04
Ariyalur Mallur Ayyanar 1.22
Ariyalur Elakuruchi Ayyanar 1.63
Ariyalur Vikramanglam Ayyanar 4.08
Sendurai Palamalainadapuram Ayyanar 0.81
Sendurai Palayyakudi Ayyanar 4.08
Sendurai Valarakuruchi Ayyanar 4.08
Sendurai Vanjinapuram Ayyanar 1.63
Sendurai Vangaram Ayyanar 6.12
Sendurai Ponparappi Ayyanar 3.27
Sendurai Kilarayampuram Ayyanar 0.81
Kunnam Karaipadi Ayyanar 0.81
Kunnam Koilpalayyam Ayyanar 4.63
Kunnam Veppur (North) Ayyanar 1.62
Kunnam Thondapadi Ayyanar 1.22
Kunnam Dhuninjapadi Ayyanar 0.81
Perambalur Erayyur Ayyanar 2.44
Perambalur Devayyur Ayyanar 4.63
Perambalur Valikandapuram Ayyanar 2.04
Perambalur Pandavapadi Ayyanar 1.22
Ariyalur Paluvur Ayyanar, Karuppaiyha 4.08
Sendurai Unjini Andavar 1.63
Perambalur Valikandapuram Chettikoil 1.22
Sendurai Kulumur Ellaikaruppu 2.04
Perambalur Malayyalapatti Ilangkaliyamman 1.62
Perambalur V.Kalathur Kaliyamman 1.62
Kunnam Kilapuliyur Kamatchiyamman 1.22
Kunnam Veppur (South) Kamatchiyamman 2.04
Kunnam Olaipadi Kandamuthankaruppu 2.44
Ariyalur Salakuruchi Karuppayya 0.81
Sendurai Sirukadambur Karuppayyya 1.63
Kunnam Sathanur Karuppayyya 1.63
Perambalur Senganam Karuppayyya 3.26

Ariyalur Sennivanam Karuppayyya 1.63
Muniyappa
Kunnam Kottarai Karuppusami 0.41
Kunnam Puduvettakudi Karuppusamy 1.02
Perambalur Seruvacchur Madhurakaliyamman 2.04
Sendurai Pasalam Muniyappa 4.63
Sendurai Ilangacherry Muthayyah 0.81
Perambalur Maravanatham Nallathangaal 0.81
Kunnam Kolakkanatham Pachaayi 0.81
Kunnam Serakulathar Pachaayi 4.63
Kunnam Kunnam Pachaayi 3.26
Kunnam Pudhur Pachayyamma 1.22
Kunnam Namangunam Pachayyamman 1.62
Perambalur Ammapalayyam Palamalai 8.13
Kunnam Vailapadi Periyaandavar 0.61
Perambalur Pimbalur Periyasami 0.61
Kunnam Kottarai Periyasamy 2.44
Valikandapuram Pinnadayyar Perumal 1.62
Kunnam Kolakkanatham Sellammaal 0.81
Perambalur Pimbalur Selliyamman 0.41
Sendurai Adhikudikadu Selliyamman 0.81
Perambalur Senjeri Serakulathar 0.41
Kunnam Asur Siddhar 1.22
Sendurai Marudhur Sigamani 6.12
Kunnam Kulathur Sriandaliyappan 0.81
Perambalur Dhaluthalai Vayyai karuppu 0.41
Kunnam Vailapadi Veeranaar 2.04
Pudukkottai
Alangudi Valanthiraikotai Aandichiyamman 2.04
Kulattur Sittannavasal Adaikalamkathar 1.21
Alanguai Tirukattalai Adikonda Ayyanar 0.61
Tirumeyam Ilayyankudipatti Ayyanar 19.43
Kulattur Ilayyavayal Ayyanar 2.42
Alangudi Poovarasankudi Ayyanar 2.04
Kulattur Sittannavasal Ayyanar 2.02
Kulattur Keeranur Ayyanar 2.02
Appendix I 135
Tirumeyam Kothamangalapatti Ayyanar 12.15

Kulathtur Narthamalai Ayyanar 4.04
Kulattur Sithannavasal Ayyanar 1.21
Tirumeyam Veerayasolai Ayyanar 12.15
Tirumeyam Mallangudi Ayyanar and Karuppu 1.21
Kulattur Ilayyavayal Dhannakanda Ayyanar 12.15
Pudukottai Kilakkuchettiyur Kailasamuni 2.02
Kulattur Dhodayyur Maampatti karuppu 1.42
Kulattur Dhodayyur Madhavadi karuppu 3.23
Pudukottai Mettupatti Muneeswarar 1.62
Kulattur Dhodayyur Muniyandi 2.43
Tiruperundurai Avudayyarkoil Pallivinayagar 2.04
Kulattur Sittannavasal Pidari 0.80
Tiruperundhurai Avudayyarkoil Ponnaduselli 1.22
Kulaththur Melapudhuvayal Puduvaikattuayyanar 6.07
Pudukottai Vadavalam Rakkacchiyamman 1.30
Alangudi Kulavaipatti Semathumuniswarar 1.62
Alangudi Imnampatti Sorpanamuniswarar 2.02
Kulattur Annavasal Urulikaruppar 0.80
Tirumeyam Namunasamuthiram Urumar 10.12
Ramanathapuram
Ramanathapuram Thoruvalur Ayyanar 1.63
Paramakudi Kariyanthal Ayyanar 4.10
Paramakudi Chinnaagaramesi Ayyanar 2.45
Paramakudi P.Ilandhaikulam Ayyanar 0.41
Paramakudi Pirabukkalur Ayyanar 2.04
Mudukulathur Meesal Amman 0.41
Mudukulathur Mudhukulathur Dharmamuniswarar 1.63
Paramakudi Kavanur Erikarayyamman 0.81
Paramakudi Semmankudi Kamatchiyamman 0.81
Mudukulathur Puliyankudi Korangan 0.41
Kamudhi Kottaimedu Kottaimuni 0.41
Mudukulathur Kakkur Madhanapulla 0.41
Ramanathapuram Thoruvalur Muneeswarar 3.27
Paramakudi Arasadivandal Muniswarar 0.41
Paramakudi Pirabukkalur Muniswarar 1.63
Kamudhi Perayyur Muniswarar 0.41
Paramakudi Semmankudi Sastha 1.63
Salem
Rasipuram Ariyakulapudhur Angayiamman 20.41
Yercuad Yercaud Aundiyappan 4.08
Rasipuram Kollangulam Boodhasami 24.50
Yercuad Yercaud Kaaliyamman 67.35
Yercuad Ondikadai Kallimaratthan 20.41
Yercuad Yercaud Kariyaraman 40.82
Omalur Anaimedu Karuppayyya 4.08
Namagiripettai Namagiripettai Kongalamman 2.44
Attur Attur Kottaimuniswarar 0.61
Rasipuram Kutladampatti Madeswarar 6.12
Rasipuram Ariyakondampatti Minnadayyan 81.63
Yercuad Karuttavalaivu Muniswarar 204.08
Attur Thandavarayapuram Muniyappa 0.81
Attur Vadasennimalai Murugan 20.41
Rasipuram Ariyakondampatti Perumal 4.08
Rasipuram Kollangulam Perumal 51.02
Rasipuram Pudhupalayam Perumal 61.22
Yercuad Kiliyur Rajeswariyamman 2.04
Yercuad Yercaud Sangilimuniyappa 61.22
Attur Attur Selliyamman 1.63
Yercuad Mundampadi Shervarayan 6.12
Omalur Mattayyanpatti Vairamuniswarar 2.86
Rasipuram Kollangulam Varunadevan 20.41
Cinnasalem Koogayyur Veerangi ayyanar 6.12
Sivagangai
Sivagangai Dhayamangalam Ayyanar 7.39

Manamadurai Madapuram Kaliyamman 0.81
Karaikudi Valayyanvayal Karuveppilankaali 1.21
Karaikudi Kollathtur Solayyandavar 6.07
Karaikudi Kandanur Vayyakaruppu 33.40
Thanjavur
Thanjavur Vallam Agouriyamman 0.81

Thanjavur Vallam Ayyanar 0.81
Thanjavur Vayalur Ayyanar 0.81
Appendix I 137
Thanjavur Manambuchavadi Madathusami 0.61

Thanjavur Surakottai Paramanadha ayyanar 2.86
Teni
Auntipatti Theppampatti Angalamman 1.63
Uthamapalayam Suruli Teertham Bhoothanarayanan 4.10
Auntipatti Kanniyapillaipatti Gopalaswami 6.12
Periyakulam D.Manjalanai Kamatchiyamman 1.63
Auntipatti Maravapatti Kutharayaperumal 40.82
Uthamapalayam Suruli Teertham Lakshmivalliyammai 10.20
Auntipatti Kanniyapillaipatti Mooreriyamman 1.22
Periyakulam D.Vadipattai Ondiveerasami 1.22
Uthamapalayam Kamiyakavundanpati Selliyamman 2.44
Uthamapalayam Suruli Teertham Suruli Andavar 204.08
Uthamapalayam Allinagaram Veerappa Ayyan 1.63
Auntipatti Theppampatti Velappar 122.49
Tiruchirappalli
Lalkudi Anbil Aachiyamman 3.24
Lalkudi Kallagam Ayyanaar 4.63
Lalkudi Kudalur Ayyanaar 1.62
Manachanallur Vaththalai Ayyanaar 3.24
Lalkudi Kudalur Aludayyan 0.81
Turaiyur Turaiyur Angayiyamman 1.62
Manachanallur Sirukambur Elamandiyamman 1.62
Turaiyur Puliyanjolai Kaadapanjan 0.41
Manachanallur Dhudayyur Kalingayi 2.45
Musiri Evur Kamugandiyamman 0.81
Lalkudi Kannakudi Kannimaar 0.81
Turaiyur Sophanapuram Karuppannaswami 1.62
Turaiyur Puliyanjolai Karuppusami 4.08
Turaiyur Kanapadi Karuppusami 3.24
Lalkudi Mandhurai Karuppusami 0.81
Lalkudi Thappai Karuppusamy 0.41
Turaiyur Kanapadi Komudayyan 6.12
Turaiyur Puliyanjolai Kuruvayamman 2.04
Lalkudi Kallagam Madhuraiveeran 0.81
Turaiyur Puliyanjolai Mariyamman 4.08
Turaiyur Turaiyur Nallavathayiamman 0.81

Musiri Peramoor Periyaayi 1.22
Turaiyur Kanapadi Periyasami 4.90
Turaiyur Puliyanjolai Periyasami 1.62
Musiri Kunaseelam Pidaari 1.22
Turaiyur Turaiyur Puliyadi karuppu 0.41
Lalkudi Idayyatrumangalam Pungakavukudi- 0.81
chiamman
Lalkudi Kilikoodu Samadhi 3.24
Turaiyur Turaiyur Sellandiyamman 0.41
Turaiyur Mettupalayam Senganiyamman 1.62
Turaiyur Turaiyur Siruvachur 0.61
Lalkudi Thovur Supthakannimar 0.81
Lalkudi Sangenthy Valeeswar 1.62
Tiruchirappali Vemboor Veerappasamy 2.04
Thirunelveli
Thenkasi Kalamadan Anaimaravaikumsasta 2.02
Tirunelveli Abishekapuram Ayyanar and Karuppu 1.21
Thenkasi Alangulam Jambulinga Sastha 1.61
Sankarankoil Irurumangalam Maradhaudaliyar 1.21
Thenkasi Alangulam Mayilam Sastha 1.21
Nanguneri Tirukarungudi Nambi 494.10
Vannarapettai Palayyankottai Pechchiyamman 0.81
Thenkasi Alangulam Ramar and Sastha 194.33
Palayyankottai Megalingapuram Sastha 0.61
Thenkasi Kuruippakulam Sorikuthi Ayyanar 7.87
Sankarankoil Perunottur Tirukotti Ayyanar 1.21
Sankarankoil Punnayyapuram Tiruvettai Ayyanar 3.44
Tirivallur
Tiruthani Veeranathur Shiva 0.60
Tiruthani Velliyur Vinayagar 0.30
Tiruthani Velliyur Karumariyamman 0.20
Tiruvannamalai
Chengam Aathipadi RF Aadhiramar 28.34
Chengam Koodalur Aladiyan 4.05
Appendix I 139
Chengam Kilvanakkambadi Ammacharu 11.34

Polur Koilur Andavar 142.86
Tiruvannamalai Tiruvannamalai Angalaparameswari 4.05
Tiruvannamali Elikuthi Elikuthi Ayyanar 1.82
Chengam Swamimalai RF Ilayaraman 14.17
Chengam Kanchi Kaliyamma 0.82
Tiruvannamalai Pavupattu Kannamadai Ayyanar 1.01
Tiruvannamalai Tiruvannamalai Kanni 4.05
Polur Amirthi Kanni 204.08
Polur Balapurambattu Kanni 326.53
Polur Arjunapuram Kanni 326.53
Chengam Melapunjai Kannimar 17.00
Chengam Aathipadi Kariyaraman 20.24
Chengam Chekkadi Pudhur Kariyaramar 12.15
Chengam Melapunjai Kattukali 16.19
Tiruvannamalai Tiruvannamalai Kattushiva 20.24
Chengam Chekkadi Pudhur lakshmanaperumal 8.10
Chengam Koodalure Manickaraja 16.19
Chengam Pachal Mariyamman 20.24
Chengam Koodalur Marriyamman 0.42
Chengam Sepapattu Muniswaran 8.10
Chengam Aravangadu Muniswaran 0.89
Chengam Sennayyampettai Muniswaran 6.07
Chengam Kilsirupakkam Muniyappa 12.15
Chengam Puliyampattu Muniyappa 1.62
Chengam Puliyampattu Murugan 4.05
Chengam Aathipadi RF Murugan 1.21
Chengam Idaichikulam Muthumariyamman 2.02
Tiruvannamalai Tiruvannamalai Neithi 2.02
Polur Mahadevamangalam Pachayyamman 0.21
Cheiyar Tiruvathur Pachayyamman 2.02
Arani Munakkapattu Pachayyamman 0.81
Polur Amirthi Papathiyamman 122.45
Vandhavasi Melsathamangalam Parasakthi 0.81
Polur Puliparai Perumal 142.86
Tiruvannamalai Alaganandhal Tiruvothamman 20.24
Polur Amirthi Uthukottayyamman 277.55
Polur Damaraipakkam Vaduvanar 0.21
Chengam Bheemanandhal Vediyappan 12.15

Chengam Kilvanakkambadi Vediyappan 4.05
Chengam Koodalur Vediyappan 1.21
Chengam Udayyarkuppam Vediyappan 2.02
Chengam Chekkadi Pudhur Vediyappar 8.10
Thiruvarur
Kudavasal Kudavasal Ayyanar 0.81
Nannilam Mayaladi Ayyanar,Muniswarar 0.61
Mannilam Keelakudi Ayyanar 0.81
Tuticorin
Srivaikundam Keeranur Sastha 0.81
Srivaikundam Alikudi Saththan 2.02
Srivaikundam Muththalankurichi Sastha 36.84
Srivaikundam Manakkarai Sastha 2.02
Srivaikundam Seithunganallur Sundarapandyasasta 1.01
Vellore
Vellore Madayyapattu Amman 40.82

Vellore Venkaparai Dhanjiyamman 163.27
Vellore Arasampattu Kaaliyamman 20.41
Vellore Madayyapattu Kaaliyamman 16.33
Vaniyambadi Kavaloor Kaaliyamman 408.16
Vellore Madigam Kanni 32.65
Vellore Unaimottur Kanni 73.47
Vellore Dhanappangkottai Kanni 81.63
Vellore Pulimarathur Koothandavar 48.98
Vellore Thongumalai Murugan 204.08
Vaniyambadi Amarabath Murugan 81.63
Vaniyambadi Gomutti thirtham Murugan 204.08
Vaniyambadi Kambathumalai Perumal 326.53
Vellore Amirthi Vedappar 114.29
Vellore Swamimalai Vellandappan 40.82
Vellore Kattipattu Vellandappar 61.22
Appendix I 141
Villupuram
Sankarapuram Paramanaththam Ayyanar and Karuppu 0.40
Sankarapuram Moorarpalayyam Ayyanarappa 2.42
Sankarapuram Ariyaperumanur Mamundi Ayyanar 0.40
Sankarapuram Pichchanaththam Muniyappa 0.40
Vilupuram Veeracholapuram Pachaivaliyamman 1.21
Kallakuruchi Tiruvaththur Pachchayyamman 2.02
Kallakuruchi Veerapayangaram Veerangi Ayyanar 6.07
Virudhunagar
Srivilliputhur Senbaghathoppu Kattalakar 20.24
Srivilliputhur Senbagathoppu Kilaviyaththal 2.25
Rajapalayyam Krishnapuram Nirkattha Ayyanar 83.80
Srivilliputhur Andal Nandhavanam Pechchiyamman 43.82
Rajapalayyam Seththur Puththunda Ayyanar 1.61
Rajapalayyam Devadhanum Sastha and Karuppu 404.86
APPENDIX II
N u m b e r a n d area o f Sacred Groves i n t h e

Districts o f Tamilnadu
District No. o f Groves T o t a l A r e a (1
Coimbatore 10 201.76
Cuddalore 3 7.68
Dharmapuri 31 4421.39
Dindugul 6 1147.79
Erode 21 6248.97
Kanchipuram 4 9.49
Kanyakumari 12 35.14
Karur 8 15.77
Madurai 3 46.13
Nagapattinam 11 21.48
Namakkal 20 157.59
Nilgiri 32 2100.93
Perambalur 63 131.11
Pudukottai 28 111.41
Ramanathapuram 17 22.87
Salam 24 714.47
Sivaganga 5 48.88
Thanjavur 5 5.90
Teni 12 397.58
Thiruchirappalli 34 65.81
Thirunelveli 12 709.63
Thiruvallur 3 1.10
Thiruvannamalai 47 1847.41
Thiruvarur 3 2.23
Tuticorin 5 42.70
Vellore 16 1918.37
Villupuram 7 12.92
Virudhunagar 6 556.58
Total 448 21003.90
A P P E N D I X III
Size o f t h e sacred groves o f T a m i l n a d u
Area i n hectares. Number
< 1 87
1 - 5 189
5 - 10 29
10 - 20 19
20 - 50 44
50 - 100 22
100 - 200 14
200 - 400 28
400 - 500 11
> 500 5
APPENDIX IV
C o m m o n plants i n t h e sacred groves o f Tamilnadu
Grass
Mullumungil Spiny bamboo Bambusa arundinacea
Kattukundumani Christ's tears Coix lachryma-jobi
Kavatampullu Camel grass Cymbopogon schoenanthus
Sukkunaripullu Citronella Cymbopogon nardus
Vasanai Lemon grass Cybopogon citratus
Arugampullu Bermuda grass Cynodon dactylon
Kal/kattumungil Solid bamboo Dendrocalamus strictus
Dharbai pullu Kusa grass Imperata cylindrica
Perunanal Nodding reed Phragmites roxburghii
Nanal Thatch grass Saccharum spontaneum
Vettiveru Cuscus grass Vetiveria zizanoides
Agasatamarai Water lettuce Pistia stratiotes
Sembagam Golden champa Michelia champaca
Kattuchambagam Champac Michelia nilagirica
Manoranjidam Ylang Artabotrys odoratissimus
Maramanoranjidam Ylang-ylang Canangium odoratum
Maramanjal Calumba wood Coscinium fenestratum
Amirthavalli Bile killer T i n o s p o r a cordifolia
Kuppaimeni Indian mercury Acalypha indica
Tiruvaigalli Spurge cactus Euphorbia antiquorum
Climber

Mudakathan Heart's pea Cardiospermum halicacabum
Sempirandai Adamant creeper Cissus quadrangularis
Appendix I V 145
Kaattukilangu Potato yam Dioscorea pentaphylla

Nannari Indian sarsaprilla Hemidesmus indicum
Modhirakodi Bastard sandal H u g o n i a mystacx
Mullai Arabian jasmine Jasminum multiflorum
Malai pavakkaai Hill bitter gourd M i m o r d i c a dioica
Appakovai Climbing cucurbit Mukia madraspatana
Veliparuthi Hedge-twiner Pergularia daemia
Thudhuvalai Prickly leaved solanum S o l a n u m t r i l o b a t u m
Engkatharipattai Winged seeded climber V e n t i l a g o madraspatana
Herb
Kuppaimeni Indian acalypha Acalypha indica
Nayuruvi Prickly chaff flower A c h y r a n t h e s aspera
Ayma Patana oak Carelluma fimbriate
Kalakkai Karanda Carrisa carandus
Umathai Thorn apple D a t u r a alba
Karisilangkanni Trailing eclipta Eclipta prostrata
Kelvaragu Indian millet Eleusine corocana
Ammanpachaiyarisi Milk hedge Euphorbia hirta
Naikkadugu Wild mustard Gynandropsis pentaphylla
Palaikeerai Adakodien Holostemma annularis
Udhapoo Jungle geranium Ixora nigricanus
Thumbai Dead white nettle Leucas aspera
Thottarcurungi Touch me not Mimosa pudica
Tirunitrupachilai Common basil Ocimum basilicum
Karpurathulasi Camphor basil Ocimum kilimandscharicum
Nagam Gamboge Oebrocarpus longifolius

Keelanelli Jaundice herb Phyllanthus niruri
Nerunji Cowthorn Tribulus terretris
Karandhai Iron weed Vernonia arborea
Manjakarisilankanni Jaundice eclipta Wedelia calendulacea
Shrub
Perum tutti Country mallow Abutilon indicum
Indu Tiger-stopper Acacia t o r t a
Vandukolli Ring worm shrub Cassia a l a t a
Seemai agathi Candle tree Cassia a l a t a
Naravam Peacock's crest Ceasalpinia pulcherrima
Virali Hedge plant[virali] Dodonaea viscosa
Kalli Milky spurge Euphorbia tirukalli
Vallarai Indian sarsaparilla Hemidesmus indicus
Kattamanakku Common physic nut Jatropha curcas
Vidathirai Ashy babool Mimosa cinerea
Appendix I V 147
Kattuvalai Wild plantain Musa superba

Seemai a l a r i Pogodo tree P l u m e r i a alba
Koratta Hill guava Rhodomyrtus tomentosa
Karuncivapattai Indian ipecuanha Tylophora asthmatica
Nochi 5- leaved chaste tree Vitex negundo
Soorai Oblique-leaved jijube Zizyphus oenoplia
Tree
Karuvai Arabian mesquit Acacia arabica
Karungali Red catechu Acacia catechu
Velvelam Brewer's acacia Acacia leucophloea
Seiyakkai Soap Acacia Acacia s i n u t a
Thilakam Barba doespride Adenanthera pavonia
Anaikundumani Red wood tree Adenanthera pavonina
Vilvam Bengal quince Aegle marmelos
Kaththadimaram Malabar ailanto Ailnthus malabarica
Vagai Custard apple Albizzia lebbeck
Kondavagai Safed siris Albizzia procera
Kadambu Cadamba Anthocephalus cadamba
Pala Jack fruit tree Artocarpus integrifolia
Ottipala Monkey fruit Artocarpus lakoocha
Kattunarathai Wild lime A t a l a n t i a missionis
Mandharai Geranium tree Bauhinia roxburghiana
Semmandharai Buddhist bauhinia B a u h i n i a variegata
Panai Palmyra palm Borassus flabellifer
Morala Cuddapah almond Buchanania lanzan
Palasa Flame of the forest Butea frondosa
Punnai Poonspar tree Calophyllum inophyllum
Sarakontrai Indian laburnam Cassia fistula
Kontrai Siamese tree Cassia glauca
Kontrai Red laburnam Cassia marginata
Mullilavu Silk cotton Ceiba p e n t a n d r a
Kalluviri Nettle tree Celtis australis

Karumpurasu Indian satin wood Chloroxylon swietenia
Mavilangai Three leaved caper Cretaeva religiosa
Thanakkam Whitting nut Cyrocarpus jacquini
Mayilkontrai Gulmohr D e l o n i x regia
R u t r a s u m bead Rutrasham Elaeocarpustuberculatus
Arunelli Country gooseberry Emblica myrobalan
Mullumurukku Indian coral tree E r y t h r i n a indica
Thillai Blinding tree Excoecaria agallocha
Seemai athi Fig F i c u s carca
Athi Country fig Ficus glomerata
Tagarai Spotted gliricidia Gliricidia sepium
Thanakku Whitting nut Gyrocarpus jacquini
Kurukkaththi Delight woods Hiptage madablota
Kudasapalai Indian elm Holarrhena antidysentarica
Dhavsimaram Iron wood of malabar Holoptelea integrifolia
Kongu A common caung Hopea p a r v i f l o r a
Malaivembu Persian liliac Melia azadarach
Sempakam Champak Michelia chambaka
Kudasam Indian cork M i l l i n g t o n i a hortensis
Mahilam Indian nedler M i m u s o p s elenji
Kudasam Wild olive Olea europaea
Appendix I V 149
Kodukkapuli Manilla tamarind Pithecellobium dulce

Velikaruvai Mesquit tree Prosopis juliflora
Vanni Indian mesquit Prosopis spicigera
Madkarai Emetic nut Randia dumetorum
Pidavu Badely emetic rat Randia malabarica
Kalawa Mastard tree Salvadora oleoides
Uka Tooth brush tree Salvadora persica
Aaram Sandalwood Sandalum album
Ambiram Hog plum Spondias pinnata
Katramardi Indian laural Terminalia alata
Nattu-vadumai Badam tree Terminalia catappa
Puvarasu Portia tree Thespesia populnea
Atrupuvarsu River portia Trewia nudiflora
Palm
Kichilipanai East indian wine palm A r e n g a saccharufera

Panai Brab tree/palmyra palm Borassus flabellifer
Pirambu/sural Cane/common rattan Calamus rotang
Inju/ichu Wild date palm P h o e n i x sylvestris
Mayirsikki Commonspleen wort Adiantum lunulatum
Hydrophytic plant
Adumbu Hare leaf Ipomaea biloba

Vellaikeerai Swamp cabbage Ipomoea aquatica
Dhalavam Golden jasmine Jasminum humile
Neidhal White water lily N y m p h a e a alba
CHRONOLOGY OF TAMILNADU
c. 1,00,000 years ago Beginning of Early Palaeolithic period

c.30,000-40,000 years ago Beginning of Middle Palaeolithic period
c.10,000-6,000 B.C. Late Paleolithic period
c.2500-1000 B.C. New stone Age (Neolithic period)
c.1000 B.C. Megalithic period
c.100-300 A.D. Sangam Age
c.100-400 A.D. Roman trade contacts; accounts of Pliney,
Strabo
3rd century A.D. Early Pandyas
c.300-400 A.D. Early Cholas
c.500-600 A.D. Kalabhras
c.540-980 A.D. Pallavas; Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang visits
Kanchi c.640 A.D.
c.620-1615 A.D. Pandyas
c.850-1279 A.D. Cholas
13th-15th century A.D. Vijayanagar period
1529-1736 A.D. Nayaks of Madurai
1532-1765 A.D. Nayaks of Tanjore
1678-1855 A.D. Marathas of Tanjore
1580-1640 A.D. Portuguese occupation of South Eastern
coastal regions
1658 A.D. Dutch occupation of Tuticorin
1689 A.D. Dutch occupation of Nagapattinam
1620 A.D. Danes settle in Tranquebar
1801-1857 A.D. British East India Company
1857-1947 A.D. Madras Presidency comes into being under
British rule.
GLOSSARY
aarthi an orthodox Hindu custom of circling a lamp
in front of an image of God
Adi Tamil month, mid July to mid August
Aippasi Tamil month, mid October to mid November
angara coal
Ani Tamil month, mid June to mid July
Arthasastra Kautilya's work on statecraft and administration
written in the 4th - 3rd century B.C.
Ashwamedha after igniting the sacrificial fire a horse is sent
out. The territory covered by the horse without
its being captured is claimed by the owner of
the horse
Chithirai Tamil month, mid April to mid May
Iyengars a community
Kallar a community
kalupodudhal sacrificing an animal by impaling
kambu millet
kannimaar virgins
karagattam a folkdance performed by both men and
women while balancing a pot decorated with
flowers on the head
karamani a variety of beans
kovilkadu sacred forest (literally, "temple forest")
k u d i r a i eduthal installation of a sacred terracotta horse offered
by devotees to the deity within a sacred grove
kummi a folk dance performed by women with
clapping of the hands
maram tree
Markali Tamil month, mid December to mid January
mavilakku iamps made of rice flour and jaggery
m a y a n a kandam the last act of Harishchandra play
mochaipayiru a type of bean
nattukal hero stone
Panguni Tamil month, mid March to mid April
Pangunivila an annual festival celebrated in the month of
Panguni
paruppu lentils
patti village
payiru a small variety of lentils

a dance in which a man or woman wears the
poikkal kudhirai attam body of a decorated dummy horse
festival, a ritual cooking of sweet rice, lentils,
Pongal milk, water and jaggery
a small portion of the offerings made to God is
prasadam given to each devotee as "prasadam"
worship with rituals
puja
the priest who performs the puja
pujari a star
Punarvasu Tamil month, mid September to October
Purattasi termite mound
puthu Indian epic dating to 1000 - 5000 B.C.
Ramayana seven mother goddesses
Sapta Matrikas self-immolation of a wife in the funeral pyre of
sati her husband
solai garden
terukoothu folk theatre
thanakka a tree
thiruvila a grand annual festival
tullumari sacrificing an animal by decapitation
Udaiyar a community
ulundu a variety of lentils
urani a spring; act of springing up
urani pongal a festival accompanied by offering pongal for
attaining wealth and prosperity
Vanniyar
a community
vadai
a deep fried delicacy made with lentils or pulses
veeran
a warrior
Vellar
a community
Vishwakarma
a community whose profession is pottery
vratha
fasting
Yakshi
a female godling / supernatural being
yeri
lake
A b o u t (his b o o k f o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , please visit
www.ecoheritage.cpreec .org
T h e sacred groves or
w h i c h contains information on
k o v j f k a d u g a l are an inherent
feature o f rhe ecological • Sacred Trees o f I n d i a
heritage and tradition o f the
s o u t h e r n state o f T a m i l n a d u i n • Sacred Rivers o f I n d i a
I n d i a . T h e s e g r o v e s arc t h e last • Sacred G r o v e s o f I n d i a
r e m n a n t s o f l h e forests t h a t
o n c e t h r i v e d i n these areas. I n • Sacred A n i m a l s or I n d i a
t h e s h a d e o f t h e tree> t h e r e is
• Sacred G a r d e n s o f I n d i a
to be f o u n d a shrine, generally
o f t h e m o t h e r goddess, w h i c h • Sacred P r e c i n c t s o l I n d i a
is w o r s h i p p e d b y t h t l o c a l
community. In order to • Sacred M o u n t a i n s o f I n d i a
preserve b o t h the e n v i r o n m e n t • Sacred W a t e r h o d ie$ o f I n d i a
a n d sanctity o f t h e grove,
several i n t r i g u i n g taboos a n d
customs laid d o w n way back in
t h e past are still in existence.
c.p.R. Environmental
K d u c a t i o n C e n t r e , ir. i t s e f f o r t
t o raise a w a r e n e s s a b o u t t h e
need to conserve such a
significant ecological heritage,
O t h e r b o o k s i n ihis series:
c o n d u c t e d a n extensive survey
o f t h e sacred groves j f • Fcological Traditions of
Tamilnadu. Apart from Tamilnadu
r e p o r t i n g the general
characteristics o f the sacred • Ecological Traditions of
g r o v e s , t h e a u t h o r has a l s o Karnalaka
s u r v e y e d t h e v e g e t a t i o n , size
a n d deities o f over 400 groves • Ecological Traditions of
and made a detailed floristic A n d f v a Pradesh
s t u d y o f sis g r o v e s t h a t s t o o d
• Sacred Trees o f T a m i l n a d u
out in the uniqueness o f their
vegetation, deity anc • Sacred Tanks of South India
associated practices.
• T e m p l e Tanks of Chennai
ISBN 81-869G1-04-3

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SACRED GROVES OF T A M I L N A D U

No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission from

Websites: www.cpreec.org www.ecoheritage.cpreec.org

Price: Rs. 250/-

T h i s book has been p r i n t e d on tree-free paper

India has a great tradition of conservation of natural resources.

There has been a certain amount of debate as to whether the

Mr.M. Amirthalingam has done yeoman's service in surveying

I am grateful to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests,

This book is my offering to the Sacred Groves of Tamilnadu -

PART I SURVEY O F SACRED GROVES I N T H E

PART II FLORISTIC S T U D Y O F SELECTED

Chronology of Tamilnadu 150

The sacred groves or k o v i l k a a d u g a l of Tamilnadu are a part of the

• K a l i - the fierce protectress of people from demons and evil spirits

• E l l a i - the protector of the village boundaries. She is sometimes identified

• P i d a r i - the guardian against evil spirits and epidemics, particularly

• A n g a l a m m a n o r A n g a r a m m a n - the angry and destructive goddess of fire

• Kanniyamman - the v i r g i n goddess, generally one o f seven

• D r a u p a d i a m m a n - the goddess of chastity, wife of the five Pandavas.

There are minor local goddesses such as Isaki amman (corrupted

• M a d u r a i V e e r a n - a huge, wide-eyes and fairly disreputable character, owing

If the deity is represented by a few bricks or so it is smeared with

The horses range in height from 12 inches to 20 or more feet,

district. F l a c o u r t i a r a m o n t c h i is found in the sacred groves at higher

Hero worship in Tamilnadu

a number of hero stones found in South India.

Beside this stone, is a small rectangular stone bearing the figures

Survey o f t h e Sacred Groves i n t h e Districts o f

• Precisely locate and map the groves and to prepare an inventory

Location: This district is situated at an altitude of 43.2 meters in the

Area: 7,46,799 hectares

Forest area: 1,58,209 hectares

Average rainfall: 858 m m

Soil: Black cotton soil

No. o f groves surveyed: 10 groves

N u m b e r and area o f the

Taluk Village Deity Area i n ha.

Aliyar Pollachi Ayyappan 20.08

Location: The district of Cuddalore is situated on the east coast

Area: 3,67,781 hectares

Forest area: 1415 hectares

Average rainfall: 1043 m m

Soil: It consists of unfossiliferrous, ferruginous, soft sandstone

N o . o f groves surveyed: 3 groves

N u m b e r and area o f the

Taluk Village Deity Area i n ha.

Kattumannarkudi Nachiyarpalayam Tholiyappar 4.05

Location: Dharmapuri is situated northwest of Chennai in

Area: 9,64,103 hectares

Forest area: 3,66,226 hectares

Average rainfall: 841 m m

Soil: Poor and sandy

N o . o f groves surveyed: 31 groves

kattuchambagam (Michelia nilagirica), kudasam (Millingtonia

N u m b e r and area o f the

Taluk Village Deity Area i n ha.

Denkanikota Jodhikottai Ayyanar 163.27

Taluk Village Deity Area i n ha.

Uthangarai Dhippampatti Pathiniyamman 0.40

Location: The Western Ghats form the western boundry of the

Kodaikkanal, Nilakkottai, Nattam and Vedasandur taluks.

Area: 6,26,664 hectares