A Yazhi sculpture at Sri Adikesava Perumal Temple in Tiruvattaru in Kanniyakumari district has been found damaged. The sculpture, located at Sripalikal mandapam, was found broken a few days ago, temple authorities said.
An official of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department noted that CCTV footage from the mandapam might help determine how the damage occurred.
The limbs and the proboscis of the Yazhi have been completely broken, and the sculpture of the soldier riding the Yazhi has also been damaged.
The temple, one of the 108 Vaishnavaite shrines, is sung in praise by Nammalwar.
According to A. K. Perumal, author of a book on the temple, six Yazhi sculptures adorn the Sripalikal mandapam, which was constructed in 1604 by Venadu King Veera Ravivarma. “The mandapam itself functions as a gallery of beautiful sculptures,” he writes.
The Yazhi, a mythical creature, is depicted as more powerful than a lion. “The depiction began during the Pallava period and evolved through various regimes. Although the word Aazhi appears in Sangam literature, it has no connection with Yazhi,” said historian R. Kalaikovan.
He explained that there were two types of Yazhis: Simha Yazhi and Vezha Yazhi, the latter bearing a proboscis and gaining prominence during the Naik period. “Yazhis are shown with two horns above their eyeballs,” he added.
Published – December 10, 2025 09:29 pm IST
