The Life
Nandanar, of the Pulaiya community at Adanur in the Chola land, was born to labour in the fields yet burned with love for Shiva. He longed to worship at Thiruppunkur and Thillai, but as one deemed 'untouchable' he could not approach the shrines. At Thiruppunkur, the great stone Nandi before the sanctum moved aside at his prayer so he could behold the Lord. Ever postponing his pilgrimage to Chidambaram, he answered 'tomorrow I shall go' until he was called Thirunalaipovar, 'he who will go tomorrow.' When at last he reached Thillai, the Brahmins, by Shiva's command, kindled a sacred fire; Nandanar entered it chanting the Lord's name and rose purified, with matted locks and sacred thread. He walked into the sanctum and merged into Nataraja before the assembled devotees.