Terracotta Horses of Tamilnadu

The life-size terracotta horses of Tamilnadu are an offering to the local deity " Ayyanar" of Tamilnadu. These statues are said to be the vehicle of Ayyanar and his assistants. Their sizes range from a few feet to up to 12 feet, like the ones seen at Perugavazhndan. They are made entirely by hand without any tools for shape and scale. Once the terracotta horses are shaped, they are taken into the kiln to bake and then finally painted.

Almost all these shrines have many horse statues in different stages of ruins. During the " Puravi Eduppu" ritual, these horses are offered to the Ayyanar's Shrine. Often hidden in the remote outskirt areas of the village, these shrines and their humble statues are more connected with the locals than the world-renowned stone sculptures of Tamilnadu.

These statues and numerous similar rituals provide a livelihood for the potters who are dwindling in numbers every year. These rituals and customs help keep the art of pottery alive and support the traditional potters.

Photography @jeevanlxavier