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Nayanmars

Nayanmars

Nayanmars (or Nayanars) (5th - 10th century) were saints mostly from Tamil Nadu whose lives embodied deep devotion towards Lord Shiva. They sang divine hymns praising the 176 sacred shrines of Lord Shiva which are called the Paadal Petra Sthalams. The collection of their divine hymns are included in Tirumurai. Their lives are recorded in the book Periya Puranam. The 63 Nayanmars are:

1. Sundara Murthy Nayanar
2. Thiruneelakantha Nayanar (Thillai or Chidambaram) (Potter) (Vowed not to touch his wife or other women)
3. Iyarpahai Nayanar (Iyarpagai Nayanar) (Kaveripoom Pattinam or Poompuhar) (Merchant) (Gave away his wife as a service to a brahmin Shiva-devotee)
4. Ilayankudimara Nayanar
5. Meypporul Nayanar
6. Viranminda Nayanar
7. Amarneethi Adigal
8. Eripattha Nayanar
9. Yenadhi Nayanar
10. Kanappa Nayanar
11. Kunkuliya Kalaya Nayanar
12. Manakkanjhara Nayanar
13. Arivattaya Nayanar
14. Aanaya Nayanar
15. Moorti Nayanar
16. Muruga Nayanar
17. Rudra Pasupathi Nayanar
18. Thirunalaip Povaar Nayanar
19. Thirukkuripput Thonda Nayanar
20. Chandesura Nayanar
21. Thirunavukku Arasar (Appar)
22. Kulachirayar
23. Kurumba Nayanar
24. Karaikkal Ammayar
25. Appodhi Adigal Nayanar
26. Thiruneelanakkar
27. Naminandi Adigal Nayanar
28. Thirujnana Sambandhar
29. Eyarkoan (Kalikkama Nayanar)
30. Tirumoola Nayanar
31. Dhandi Adigal Nayanar
32. Moorkha Nayanar
33. Somasimara Nayanar
34. Sakkiya Nayanar
35. Chirappuli Nayanar
36. Siruthonda Nayanar
37. Kazharitru Arivar (Cheraman Perumal Nayanar)
38. Gananatha Nayanar
39. Kotruva Nayanar
40. Puhazh Chozhan
41. Narasinga Munaiyaraiya Nayanar
42. Athipattha Nayanar
43. Kalikkamba Nayanar
44. Kaliya Nayanar
45. Satti (Sakti) Nayanar
46. Aiyadigal (Kadavarkone) Nayanar
47. Kanampulla Nayanar
48. Kari Nayanar
49. Ninraseer Nedumara Nayanar
50. Vayilar Nayanar
51. Munai Aduvar Nayanar
52. Kazharchinga Nayanar
53. Idangazhi Nayanar
54. Serutthunai Nayanar
55. Puhazh-Thunai Nayanar
56. Koatpuli Nayanar
57. Poosalar Nayanar
58. Mangaikkarasiar
59. Nesa Nayanar
60. Koacchengat Chozha Nayanar
61. Thiru Neelakanta Nayanar
62. Sadaiya Nayanar
63. Isaijnaniyar


Sl Nayanmars Description Chosen Deity
2 Om
Sri Thirunelakantha Nayanar
(5th to 9th Century CE)

• Lived in Thillai (Chidambaram), Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu
Shiva Bhakti

• Born in the potter community. Served the devotees of Lord Shiva, often gifting the mendicants high-quality begging bowls known as Thiruvodu.

• By the turn of events in life, took a vow on the name of Neelakantha Shiva not to touch his wife or any other women (even with mind). Keeping the vow, his life passed from youth to middle age to old age.

• Lord Shiva revealed his greatness by coming in the guise of a Shiva-Yogi and making the old couple dip in a temple tank at Thirupuleechuram. The couple became young by the grace of the Lord. Lord Shiva appeared in the sky before all on Nandi vahanam with Devi Uma. The Nayanar sang a song glorifying Lord Shiva.
Shiva-Parvati

Shiva-Parvati
3 Om
Sri Iyarpahai Nayanar (Iyarpagai Nayanar)
(5th to 9th Century CE)

• Lived in Kaveripoom Pattinam (Poompuhar), Mayiladuthurai district, Tamil Nadu
Shiva Bhakti

• Born in the merchant community and was wealthy. Considered special privilege to serve the devotees of Lord Shiva who are well versed in the Vedas. Gave them anything they wanted.

• Lord Shiva revealed his greatness by coming in the guise of a Brahmin Shiva-devotee and asking for his wife. Iyarpahai Nayanar unhesitatingly gave away his wife who also wilfully followed her husband's command. The Brahmin then asked Iyarpahai Nayanar to escort them till the boundary of the village to protect them from their kinsmen. Iyarpahai Nayanar followed them with sword in hand and fought with his own kinsmen killing some of them. When he was returning without lookig back, Lord Shiva called him. When Iyarpahai Nayanar returned to perform additional service, the Brahmin disappeared and Lord Shiva appeared on the sky with Devi Uma on Nandi Vahanam. Lord Shiva blessed them.
Shiva-Parvati

Shiva-Parvati



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Last updated on Jan-2025

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