63 Nayanmars - Life of Thiru Manakkanychara Nayanar !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!



Arul Cheytha Mozhikela Adarchurikai Thani Uruvi
Porulcheydham Yenappern        Yenakkondu Pookodithen
Irul Seitha Karunkoonthal Adiyil Arindherininra
Marulseitha Pirapparuppar Malarkarathi Nidainitta

Manakkanychara Nayanar lived in Kanycharur/Kancharur, one of the prosperous lands in Chola Kingdom.  He was a chief of King’s army. He was highly respected and admired by the people of the Kingdom.  He was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva.  He served the devotees of Lord with utmost respect and honor.

Manakkanychara Nayanar had no offspring for a long time.  He and his wife lived a pious life, they prayed to Lord Shiva for a virtuous child.  In due course of time, his wife delivered a beautiful baby girl with the grace of Lord.  Their happiness had no bounds; celebrated the birth of their child in a grand manner.   They brought up her with lot of care and affection.   Years passed by, the girl child grown into a stunning beautiful young lady.   Her mesmerizing beauty captivated the eyes of everyone.  She was grown into a most beautiful young lady who always presented herself in royal attire, her alluring thick and dark cloud like curly hair locks with dazzling precious jewels on her body all these mounted her beauty.

Manakkanychara Nayanar’s daughter attained suitable age for marriage, so her parents decided to search for a suitable bridegroom for their one and only daughter.  With the grace of Lord, Eyarkona Kalikkama Nayar – an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva was chosen as bridegroom, his astonishing physical appearance were resembling the brilliance of Lord Surya, he was the perfect match for Manakkanychara Nayanar’s daughter and the couple engaged in their marriage vow.   The families were extremely happy at the union of the striking couple.

The festive atmosphere remained for long time with the happy faces all around.  Suddenly, there appeared a devotee of Lord with smeared ash marks, matted hair locks, Rudraksha etc.. The Shiva Yogi captivated all the attentions of the crowd instantly with his divine appearance.  Manakkanycharar enthusiastically hurried to receive the Shiva Yogi with utmost reverence.  The devotee was pleased at the humbleness of the Nayanar and enquired about the reason for the joyful atmosphere.  Manakkanycharar called out his daughter and instructed her to get the blessings from the devotee of Lord.  Manakkanycharar earnestly replied to Shiva Yogi about the marriage of their one and only daughter.   While his daughter paying obeisance to the devotee, her beautiful curly hair locks grabbed the attention of him.  Shiva Yogi revealed his desire to have the curly hair locks of her daughter for making Panychavadi (used for decorating the chest of a Shiva Yogi).  Manakkanychara Nayanar without any hesitation, without even considering about disfiguring the beauty of his daughter, cut a bunch of curly hair locks (In olden times, it was treated as bad omen to cut the hair of a woman in an auspicious occasion) from the splendidly adorned bride’s hair and delightfully handed to Shiva Yogi. 

Instantaneously, the Shiva Yogi disappeared from the sight.  A brilliant illuminating blue light appeared on the sky.  Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati appeared on their celestial vehicle.  The deities showered flowers on the divine couple and the witnessed were astonished at the unparalleled devotion of Nayanar.  This event amplified the respect and honor of Eyarkona Kalikkamar’s reverence towards Manakkanychara Nayanar.

In the Tamil month Markazhi – Swathi is widely celebrated as Guru Puja day to commemorate the above incident.

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

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