63 Nayanmaras - Life of Thiru Kulachirai Nayanar !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Punnayatharu Kandharpoi Neerkkavum

Thennar Nadu Thiruneeru Pondravum

Mannu Kazhiyar Vallalar Ponnadi

Chenni Serthi Makizhdha Chirappinar

Kulachirai Nayanar was born in Manamyerkudi, one of the flourished lands under the regime of Pandya kings.  The Pandya King Nedumaran was impressed at the remarkable qualities of Kulachirai Nayanar and appointed him as a minister in his assembly. Kulachirai Nayanar was an ardent devotee of Lord Sundareshwarar & Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai.  He believed in the self-less service to Lord and service to his devotees as an important mission in his life.  He received the devotees of Lord with great honor and respect, prostrated before them without any hesitation and served them genuinely.  He understood the ultimate fact that service to His devotees is equivalent to service to Lord.  His riches were not a hindrance to his mission; in fact he treated his material possessions were belonged to Lords of Lord and his devotees.  Kulachirai Nayanar’s firm devotion to Lord and on the whole his humble nature persuaded Thiru Gnana Sambandhar.  Later, Thiru Gnana Sambandhar sung priaisng the remarkable qualities of Kulachirai Nayanar in one of his compositions. 

During this period of time believers of Jainism multiplied expansively on this land.  Soon King Nedumara also turned out a follower of Jainism, but Kulachirai Nayar was remained firm in his belief of Lord Shiva and Shaiva Siddhantha.  The Jains were created a huge commotion amongst the shivaites and their principle.  Kulachirai Nayanar was  patiently waited for an opportunity to reinstate the Shaiva Siddhantha once again in the minds of King Nedumaran and the people of his Kingdom. 

Kulachirai Nayanar along with Mangayarkarasiyar, the queen of Pandya King Nedumaran made all attempts towards bringing back the glories of Shaiva Siddhantha and restoration of belief in Lord Shiva once again in the Pandya Kingdom.  They collectively prayed to Thiru Gnana Sambandhar to guide them in their objective to bring back the Shaiva Siddhantha and reinstate the strong belief in King Nedumaran and the people in his Kingdom.  Kulachirai Nayanar succeded in his mission of restoration of age old belief in Shaiva Siddhantha in Pandya Kingdom with the generous support of Thiru Gnana Sambandhar and Mangayarkarasiyar. Thus, he raised the glorious status of a King into Nindraseer Nedumara Nayanar – a zealous devotee of Lord Shiva.  Later, Thiru Gnana Sambandhar praised the noble mission of Kulachirai Nayanar in a few glorious verses in one of his compositions known as ‘Mangayarkarasi’ Thirupathikam.

In the Tamil month Avani Anusham is widely celebrated as 'Guru Puja' of Kulachirai Nayanar, the  day he attained the Abode of Lord Shiva (Sivagadhi or Sivan Adi Serantha Nal).

 Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!

Jai Sriman Narayana !!

Photo courtesy:www.shaivam.org