Native placeThiruvottiyur
Associated templeAdhipureeswarar (Thyagaraja) temple, Thiruvottiyur
Guru PujaAadi (Kettai / Jyeshtha)
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The Life
Kaliya Nayanar was an oil-merchant of Thiruvottiyur, a wealthy man wholly devoted to Shiva who kept the lamps of the Lord's temple burning day and night without fail. To test him, Shiva reduced him to poverty until he could no longer buy oil for the lamps. Undaunted, Kaliya sold his possessions, then laboured for wages, and at last, having nothing left, even sought to sell himself and his wife to buy oil, but found no buyer. Rather than let the sacred lamp go dark, he resolved to feed it with his own blood, and drew a knife across his throat. At that very instant Shiva stayed his hand, appeared before him, and, honouring his boundless devotion, granted him grace and a place among His eternal servitors.
சுந்தரர் (சுந்தரமூர்த்தி நாயனார்)Sundarar (Sundaramurthi Nayanar)
The comrade of Shiva whose wedding the Lord halted by claiming him as His bond-slave.
Thirunavalur (Tirunavalur), Nadu-naduRead the life ›
திருநீலகண்ட நாயனார்Thiru Neelakanta Nayanar
The Chidambaram potter bound for life by his wife's vow taken in Shiva's name.
Chidambaram (Thillai)Read the life ›
இயற்பகை நாயனார்Iyarpagai Nayanar
The Puhar merchant who surrendered even his own wife at a devotee's word.
Kaveripoompattinam (Puhar)Read the life ›