[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Physical](https://indike.org/pramana/inp) › [Artefacts](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.artefact) › [Victoria and Albert Museum, London](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.artefact.vam) › Ayannar or Sasta # Ayannar or Sasta Ayannar or Aiyanar is one of the most popular folk-deities of rural south India where he serves as the principal protective deity of village communities, especially from the malevolent forces that abound at night. His shrines are usually found in the countryside, outside village or town boundaries. - **Kind:** artefact - **Date:** 1100–1199 CE --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/inp.artefact.vam.im-15-1939](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.artefact.vam.im-15-1939) · Pramāṇa