Native placeKanchipuram, Pallava country
Associated templeEkambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram
Guru PujaChithirai - Swati (Svati)
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The Life
Thirukkurippu Thondar was a washerman (Vannar) of Kanchipuram who served Shiva by washing, free of charge, the soiled clothes of every Saiva devotee, reading their unspoken wish (kurippu) and fulfilling it. To test him, Shiva came as an aged, shivering ascetic in a filthy rag, asking that it be washed and returned dried by evening to ward off the night's cold. The devotee washed it at once, but the Lord sent a sudden torrential downpour that made drying impossible as sunset neared. In anguish at failing a devotee, Thirukkurippu Thondar lifted his head to dash it against the washing-stone. Shiva stopped him, revealed Himself, and, declaring service to His servants to be worship of Himself, bore him to Kailasa.
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 ›