Native placeNulaipadi, near Nagapattinam (Chola Nadu)
Associated templeKayarohanaswami Temple, Nagapattinam
Guru PujaAvani — Ayilyam (Ashlesha)
In the sixty-threeNo. 42
The Life
Adipatha Nayanar was a devout fisherman of the coast near Nagapattinam. Out of love for Shiva he made a lifelong vow that the first fish caught in his net each day would be offered back to the Lord and released alive into the sea — a portion given to God before any was kept for his own livelihood. He kept this vow faithfully even on days when the sea yielded almost nothing. To test him, Shiva caused his net to bring up a single fish made of pure gold; without a moment's hesitation or greed, Adipatha released the golden fish into the waves as the Lord's own. Day after day he gave up even the gold and every first catch, until Shiva, delighted by his selfless steadfastness, appeared before him and granted him liberation.
திருநீலகண்ட நாயனார்Thiruneelakanta Nayanar
the potter of Thillai who kept his vow of chastity
Chidambaram (Thillai)Read the life ›
தில்லைவாழ் அந்தணர்Thillai Vazh Andhanar
the three thousand Brahmins of Chidambaram
Thillai (Chidambaram)Read the life ›
இயற்பகை நாயனார்Iyarpagai Nayanar
the merchant who gave away his own wife at a devotee's word
Kaveripoompattinam (Puhar)Read the life ›