Balasubramanya Swami Temple, Ayikudi

This small Murugan temple stands in the village of Ayikudi on the banks of the Hanumannathi, a river said to be named after Hanuman, who rested here on his way to Lanka. The area was part of Travancore until 1947, and many pilgrims bound for Courtallam, Tenkasi and Tiruchendur stop here.

Murugan appears as the boy Balasubramanya among five sacred trees, each linked to a deity: peepal, neem, curry leaf, madhulai and mavilangu. Tradition says the image was found in a river by a devotee named Mallan and installed on the samadhi of a sanyasi beside the Hanumannathi. The Travancore royal family took over its management about 150 years ago and renovated it, though until 1931 the shrine was still roofed with coconut and palm leaves. The four-armed image sits on a lotus with a peacock at his left. Ash prepared with peepal leaves is the prasadam, and a seven-day Skanda Sashti festival is held in Aippasi, with the god dressed differently each day.