63 Nayanmars !! Life of Thirunilakanda Nayanar !!


Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!



 

Karpuru Manaiviyarum Kanavanar Kana ellam
Porpura Meyyu Ramal Porundhuva Poricheyya
Irpuram Pozhiya Thankan Iruvarum Veru Vaiki
Arpuru Punarchi Inmai Ayalari Yamai Vazhdhar


Thirunilakanda Nayanar was an ardent devotee of Lord Natarajar and Goddes Sivakami of Chidamaram .  He visualized Lord Nataraja in his cosmic dance form with His consort – Mother of the Universe – Thillai Nayaki witnessing the enchanting beauty of the Lord in the Golden Hall of Chidambaram.  Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar was a potter, makes attractive pots and other items using clay and it was his livelihood to take care of his family.  His wife was a beautiful young and pious woman, highly devoted to Lord Nilakanta, (Lord who is having blue throat).  She chants the divine name of Lord ‘Thirunilakantam’ incessantly which made her to carry out her work at ease.     

 
Once, Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar had an attraction towards another woman, who was selling herself for bodily pleasures.   Thiru Nilakanta Nayanars wife came to know about this, she felt humiliated at the malicious act of her husband.  As a devoted life, she continued to serve Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar with all his needs but refused to perform the duty of a wife in his bed.  In order to bring down the resentment between them, in their husband and wife relationship, Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar approached his wife with sweet words.  It mounted the anger of his wife and she ordered not to touch her in the name of Lord Thirnilakantam.  Instead of using the word (Do not touch me in the name of Lord) ‘me’ she used ‘us’ (Do not touch us in the name of Lord). Instantly, he whisked off his hand from her and agreed to her order ‘Let it be’.  From that moment onwards Thirunilakanda Nayanar made a promise to himself that he will not touch any woman in his life.  The promise to his wife made enormous changes in the life of Thirunilakanta Nayanar, the covetousness and desire for the bodily pleasures died instantaneously.  The young couple lived a righteous life abstaining from any sensual pleasure. The absence of physical intimacy made no changes in their responsibility and respect towards each other. They grew old with their strict vows, lived an honorable life at the devotion to Lord. 


 
Once, a Sanyasin visited Thirunilakanda Nayanar.  Nayanar received the Sanyasin with due respect and honor.  While leaving, the Sanyasin handed Thirunilakanda Nayanar with a pot (used for receiving alms) and instructed him to safeguard the precious pot, which has amazing nature of purifying the things rest on it.  The Sanyasin also added that he would be paying visit to Nayanar once again to claim his pot on his return journey.  Thirunilakanda Nayanar received the pot dutifully from the Sanyasin and kept it safely.

 
After some period of time, the Sanyasin paid a visit to Thiru Nilakanda Nayanar and claimed for his pot.  Thiru Nilakanda Nayanar went on search for the pot he had kept it safely.  He continued his search but could not find the same.  He was ashamed of his negligence with utter shame and guilt revealed the truth to Sanyasin.  The Sanyasin, who is the Knower of All – used his illusionary powers to disappear the pot safeguarded by the Nayanar, He approached Nayanar in a rage and accused him a culprit and because of his carelessness he had lost his precious pot.  Thiru Nilakanda Nayanar was utterly painful situation he was readily offered the Sanyasin with the replica of the lost pot, but the stubborn natured Sanyasin refused to accept anything. 


 
Thiru Nilakanda Nayanar pleaded him and begged for forgiveness, he had kept pot safely and he was truly unaware of its missing.  Finally, the Sanyasin demanded that if Thiru Nilakanda Nayanar was true to his words he should give a promise holding his wife’s hand.  Thiru Nilakanda Nayanar instantly refused to take any oath holding his wife’s hand.  Sanyasin proclaimed that Nayanar is the wrongdoer, so he should get punished for his mistake.  Sanyasin sternly declared that the matter should be taken to the assembly of chief Brahmins of their village.  Finally, the assembled Brahmins heard the complaint against Thiru Nilakanda Nayanar and verdict followed, Nayanar should give an oath holding his wife’s hand and take a dip in the temple tank.  Nayanar flatly refused the action of holding his wife’s hand and take a dip.  Nayanar described the assembled Brahmins about their vow they had taken in their life in the holy name of Lord, not to touch his wife in his life.  At last, they decided to take holy dip together holding both the ends of a stick.  As the whole villagers witnessing, the couple moved to the temple tank holding both the ends of a stick and had a dip.  It was an absolute miracle; there was young couple with attractive features come into sight from the temple tank in its place of elderly Thiru Nilakanda Nayanar and his wife.  In the meantime, Sanyasin got disappeared at the happening of events.  Immediately, everyone could visualize Lord Shiva with Goddess Parvati blessed the young couple with eternal youth and piousness for their righteous life abstaining from sensuous pleasure and the honorable   life they had lived at the supreme faith on Lord.


 
In the Tamil month Thai -  Vishakam celebrated as ‘Guru Puja Day’ of Thiru Nilakanda Nayanar in his Mukthisthalam – Thirupulicharam in Chidabaram.


 
Jai Sriman Narayana !!

 
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Courtesy: Saivam.org/dishq.org

Life of 63 Nayanmars/Nayanars & 275 Shivasthalams !!

     Jai Sriman Narayana !!


    Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!


Nayanmars were Tamil poets who lived during the period of 5th and 10th century and ardent devotees of Lord Shiva – The destroyer of sin.  They lived a humble life, serving Lord unconditionally out of pure passion and self-less devotion to Lord.  They were belonged to different backgrounds ranged from Kings, soldiers, superior caste, untouchables and some of them were underprivileged.  They all worshipped Lord Shiva with intense love and untainted devotion sung praising the glories of Lord.  The temples they have visited during their lifetime singing praising the glories of Lord Shiva came to known as ‘Thevara Padal Petra Sthalam’.  There are 275 Shiva Temples / Holy Abodes of Lord Shiva and these are famous ‘Thevara Padal Petra Shivasthalams’ in different regions of Kongu Nadu, Nadu Nadu, Pandya Nadu, Thondai Nadu, Malai Nadu, Thuluva Nadu, Chozha Nadu and Ezha Nadu.

The  63 Nayanmars and their  birth star in the Tamil month is mentioned below.  The birth star day is widely celebrated as ‘Guru Puja Day’.

63 Nayanmars

Thirunalaipovar Nayanar – Purattasi – Rohini
Thirukkuripputh Thondar –Chithirai – Swathi
Chandicha Nayanar – Thai – Uthiram
Thirunavukkarasar – Chithirai – Sathayam
Kulachirai Nayanar – Avani – Anusham
Perumizalaikurumba Nayanar – Adi – Chithirai
Karaikkal Ammayar – Panguni – Swathi
Appoodhi Adikalar – Thai – Sathayam
Thiru Nilakanda Nayanar – Vaikashi - Moolam
Naminadhi Nayanar – Vaikasi – Poosam
Thiru Gnana Sambandhar – Vaikai – Moolam
Eyarkon Kalikamar – Ani – Revathi
Thirumoola Nayanar – Aippasi – Ashwini
Dhandiyadikal – Panguni - Sathayam
Moorkka Nayanar – Karthikai – Moolam
Chomachimara Nayanar – Vaikasi – Ayilyam
Chakkiya Nayanar – Markazhi – Pooradam
Chirappuli Nayanar- Karthikai – Pooradam
Chiruthonda Nayanar – Chithirai – Barani
Kazarirru Arivar Nayanar /Cheraman Perumal Nayanar – Adi – Swathi
Gana Nadha Nayanar – Panguni – Thiruvadhirai
Kurruva Nayanar – Adi – Thiruvadhirai
Pukazh Chozha Nayanar – Adi - Krithikai
Narchinga Munaiyaraiya Nayanar – Purattasi – Sathayam
Adhipaththa Nayanar – Avani – Ayilyam
Kalikkamba Nayanar – Thai Revathi
Kaliya Nayanar – Adi – Kettai
Chaththi Nayanr – Aippasi – Poosam
Aiyadikal Kadavar Kon Nayanar – Aippasi – Moolam
Kanampulla Nayanar – Karthikai – Krithikai
Kari Nayanar – Masi – Pooradam
Ninra Chir Nedumara Nayanar – Aippasi - Barani
Vayilar Nayanar – Markazhi – Revathi
Munaiyaduyar Nayanar – Panguni – Poosam
Kazharchinka Nayanar – Vaikasi – Barani
Idankazhi Nayanar – Aippasi – Kruthikai
Cheruththunai Nayanar – Avani – Poosam
Pukazthunai Nayanar – Avani – Ayilyam
Kotpuli Nayanar – Adi – Kettai
Punachalar Nayanar – Aippasi – Anusham
Mankayarkarasiyar Nayanar – Chithirai – Rohini
Necha Nayanar – Pankuni – Rohini
Kochchenkat Chozha Nayanar – Masi – Sathayam
Thirunilakanda Yazhppana Nayanar – Vaikasi – Moolam
Sadaiya Nayanar – Markazhi – Thiruvadhirai
Ichainyaniyar – Chithirai – Chithirai
Sundaramurthi Nayanar – Adi - Swathi

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

     Jai Sriman Narayana !!
    Courtesy: Saivam.org

Life of 63 Nayanmars/Nayanars & 275 Shivasthalams !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!


Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!





The 275 Shivasthalams – Abodes of Lord Shiva known for Thevara Padal Petra idam, the place where the Shivaite poets sung the glories of Lord.  There are 2 temples in Ezha Nadu and 14 temples in Pandya Nadu respectively.  They are:

2 temples in Ezha Nadu  
Thirukkonamalai
Thirukkatheeshwaram

14 temples in Pandya Nadu - Madurai

Rameshwaram
Kaalayar Kovil
Thiru Aadanai
Thiruppunnavayil
Thirupparankundram
Thiruppoovannur
Thiru Kutralam
Thirupathoor
Piranamalai
Thiru Aalavai
Thiru Appanoor
Thiru Vedagam
Thirucchuzhiyur
Thiru Nelveli


Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!


Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Life of 63 Nayanmars/Nayanars & 275 Shivasthalams !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!



The 275 Shivasthalams – Abodes of Lord Shiva known for Thevara Padal Petra idam, the place where the Shivaite poets sung the glories of Lord.  There are 190 temples in Chozha Nadu (Thiruchirapalli, Ariyalur, Nagapattinam, Peramballur, Pudukottai, Thanjavur, and Thiruvarur).  63 temples were found on the North side of river Cauvery and the remaining on the South side.  They are:
Chidambaram
Thiru Vetkalam
Thiru Nelvayil (Shivapuri)
Thirukazhipalai
Omampuliyur
Thirukannattu Mulloor
Thiru Narayoor
Thiru Kadamboor (Melai Kadamboor)
Thiru Nalloorperuman (Achapuram)
Thiru Mayenthirapalli
Then Thiru Mullaivayil
Thirukkalikamoor (Annappanpettai)
Thiruchchaikadu (Sayavaram)
Thiru Pallavanechuram (Cauvery Poompattinam)
Thiruvenkadu
Keezh Thirukkattupalli
Thiru Kurukavoor
Seerkazhi
Thirukkolakka
Thiru Pullirukkuveloor (Vaitheeswaran Kovil)
Thirukannar Kovil (Kurumankudi)
Thiruppungoor
Karuppariyaloor (Melaikkazhi Thalai Gnayiru)
Kurakkukka
Thiru Vazhikolipputhoor (Valaputhoor)
Manipadikarai (Ilupaippattu)
Thirukkadimudi (Keezhaiyoor)
Thirunindrayoor
Thiru Needoor
Anaiyur
Thiru Velvikkudi
Eathirukolpadi (Melai Thirumananchery)
Thiru Mananchery
Thirukkurukai
Panthanai Nalloor
Kanjanoor
Thiru Kodikka
Thiru Mangalakkudi
Thiru Pananthal
Thiru Aappadi
Thiru cheigaloor
Thiruthu Thevanankudi
Thiru viyalur
Kottaiyur
Innambur
Thiru Purambayam
Thiru Visayamangai
Thiru Vaikavoor
Vada Kurangadu Thurai
Thiruppazhanam
Thiruvaiyyaru
Thiru Neithanam
Thiru Perumpuliyoor
Thiru Mazhappadi
Thiruppazhavoor
Thirukkanoor
Anbil
Thiru Manthurai
Panayapuram/ Thirupattrurai
Thiruvanaikka
Thiruppainjili
Thiruvasi/ Pacchilachiramam
Engoimalai / Alakarai

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Life of 63 Nayanmars/Nayanars & 275 Shivasthalams !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!





The 275 Shivasthalams – Abodes of Lord Shiva known for Thevara Padal Petra idam, the place where the Shivaite poets sung the glories of Lord.  There is one  temple in Malai Nadu and one in Thuluva Nadu also.   They  are:

Malai Nadu – Thiruvanchikulam (Kerala)
Thuluva Nadu – Thiru Gokarnam (Karnataka)


Please follow the link below to read the glories of Lord Mahabaleshwar at Thiru Gokarnam.


http://indiatempletour.blogspot.com/2011/11/pradosham-on-23rd-november-2011-sri.html


Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Life of 63 Nayanmars/Nayanars & 275 Shivasthalams !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!




The 275 Shivasthalams – Abodes of Lord Shiva known for Thevara Padal Petra idam, the place where the Shivaite poets sung the glories of Lord.  There are 7 temples in Kongu Nadu (Tirupur, Coimbatore, Erode, Karur, Thiruchengode, Perumdurai, Gopichettipalayam, Chennimalai, Salem)  and they are:

Thiru Avinasi
Thiru Nana
Thiruchenkodu
Thiru Venjamakoodal
Thirumurugan Poondi
Thiru Pandikodumudi
Thiru Karuvoor



Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Life of 63 Nayanmars/Nayanars & 275 Shivasthalams !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!




The 275 Shivasthalams – Abodes of Lord Shiva known for Thevara Padal Petra idam, the place where the Shivaite poets sung the glories of Lord.  There are 22 temples in Nadu Nadu and they are:

Thiruvannamalai
Thirukoviloor
Thiru Arakanda Nalloor
Thiru Idaiyaru
Thiru Vaamathoor
Thiru Puravarpanangathoor (Panayapuram)
Thiru Vadugoor (Aandar Kovil)
Thiru Thuraiyoor
Thiru Vadhigai
Thiru Navaloor
ThiruVennainallur
Thiru Mundeeswaram
Thiru Nelvennai
Thiru Mudhukundram (Virudachalam)
Thiru Earukkathampuliyur (Rajendra patnam)
Thiru Koodalaiyatroor
Thiru Pennakadam
Thiruvathurai
Thiruchchopuram (Thyagavalli)
Thiruththinnai Nagar
Thiru Pathiripuliyur
Thiru Manikuzhi


Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
Jai Sriman Narayana !!