Nayanars — The 63 Tamil Shaivite Saints and Their Divine Devotion

Introduction

Significance

Auspicious Time

Required Samagri (Materials)

Preparation Steps

1. 1Clean the puja area thoroughly and decorate with kolam/rangoli
2. 2Take a bath and wear clean, traditional clothing
3. 3Set up the Shiva lingam or image on a clean platform facing east or north
4. 4Arrange all samagri items neatly on a plate or tray
5. 5Light the oil lamp and incense before beginning
6. 6Invoke Lord Ganesha for obstacle-free worship
7. 7Mentally invoke the 63 Nayanars as spiritual guides and witnesses
8. 8Prepare naivedyam (simple sattvic food like sweet pongal, fruits, or milk)

Steps

1. 1Begin with achamanam (sipping water thrice) and pranayama
2. 2Perform Ganapati puja with modak and durva grass
3. 3Invoke Lord Shiva with 'Om Namah Shivaya' and offer bilva leaves one by one (bilva archana)
4. 4Apply vibhuti on forehead in three horizontal lines (tripundra) while chanting 'Om Namah Shivaya'
5. 5Offer sandalwood paste, flowers, and akshata (rice mixed with turmeric) to the deity
6. 6Recite selected verses from Tevaram (by Sambandar, Appar, Sundarar) or Tiruvachakam (by Manikkavachakar)
7. 7Read a chapter or story from Periya Puranam about one or more Nayanars
8. 8Offer naivedyam while chanting 'Shivaya Namah Om' or the relevant Nayanar's signature hymn
9. 9Perform deepa aradhana (waving lamp) with camphor aarti
10. 10Circumambulate (pradakshina) the deity three or nine times
11. 11Prostrate (shashtanga namaskaram) and seek blessings of the Nayanars
12. 12Distribute prasadam to all present

Mantras

Guidelines

• •Observe a sattvic diet (vegetarian, no onion/garlic) on days dedicated to Nayanar worship
• •Fast on Pradosham (13th lunar day) and Maha Shivaratri if health permits
• •Chant 'Om Namah Shivaya' minimum 108 times daily
• •Read at least one decad (pathigam) from Tevaram daily
• •Maintain purity of thought, speech, and action during vow period
• •Avoid anger, gossip, and negative speech
• •Sleep on floor or simple mat on Maha Shivaratri night
• •Donate food, clothes, or books to Shiva temples or devotees

Do's

• ✓Approach the Nayanars with humility as spiritual guides, not mere historical figures
• ✓Learn correct Tamil pronunciation of Tevaram/Tiruvachakam verses from a qualified guru
• ✓Visit Shiva temples associated with specific Nayanars (e.g., Sirkazhi for Sambandar, Tiruvannamalai for Manikkavachakar)
• ✓Participate in group chanting (bhajan) of Nayanar hymns during festivals
• ✓Study Periya Puranam to understand the context of each saint's life
• ✓Apply vibhuti daily as a reminder of impermanence and Shiva's grace
• ✓Support temple renovation and annadanam (food offering) in Nayanar-associated temples

Don'ts

• ✗Do not treat Nayanar hymns as mere literature — they are revealed scripture (marai)
• ✗Do not discriminate among Nayanars based on their caste or background — all are equal in Shiva's grace
• ✗Do not skip the invocation of the 63 Nayanars before reciting Tevaram in formal settings
• ✗Do not use vibhuti from non-traditional sources (e.g., chemical ash) — use only cow dung ash from homa
• ✗Do not recite hymns mechanically without understanding the bhava (feeling) behind them
• ✗Do not photograph or record temple rituals where prohibited, especially during abhishekam
• ✗Do not consume alcohol, meat, or intoxicants on days of Nayanar observance

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• •Confusing Nayanars (Shaivite) with Alvars (Vaishnavite) — they are distinct though parallel traditions
• •Assuming all 63 Nayanars composed hymns — only the 'Moovar' (Sambandar, Appar, Sundarar) plus Manikkavachakar are major hymnists
• •Neglecting the later Nayanars like Nambiyandar Nambi (compiler) and Sekkizhar (Periya Puranam author)
• •Pronouncing Tamil verses with Sanskritized accent — Tamil phonology must be preserved
• •Limiting worship to only the famous three — each Nayanar represents a unique path of devotion
• •Overlooking the role of women devotees like Karaikkal Ammaiyar and Mangayarkkarasiyar

Regional Variations

• •In Tamil Nadu: Daily Tevaram recitation in all major Shiva temples by Oduvars (traditional chanters)
• •In Kerala: Nayanar hymns incorporated into temple rituals alongside Sanskrit chants
• •In Sri Lanka: Strong Nayanar tradition in Jaffna and Trincomalee temples with annual festivals
• •In diaspora communities (Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, South Africa): Periya Puranam reading during Margazhi month
• •In Karnataka: Veerashaiva/Lingayat tradition honors Nayanars but emphasizes Basavanna and Sharanas
• •In North India: Nayanar stories known through Hindi translations of Periya Puranam; less liturgical use

Frequently Asked Questions

References & Traditional Notes

• •Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar (12th century) — primary hagiographical source
• •Tirumurai (12 volumes) — the Tamil Shaiva canon containing Tevaram, Tiruvachakam, Tiruvisaippa, etc.
• •Tiruthondar Thogai by Sundarar — earliest list of Nayanars
• •Tiruthondar Tiruvandhadhi by Nambiyandar Nambi — expanded list with verses
• •Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta texts: Sivajnana Bodham, Sivajnana Siddhiyar
• •Inscriptions of Chola, Pandya, and Pallava kings documenting temple endowments for Tevaram recitation
• •Oral tradition of Oduvars (hereditary temple chanters) preserving correct pronunciation and raga
• •Kumbhabhishekam rituals where Nayanar icons are consecrated alongside Shiva

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