Native placeMylapore (Mayilai), Chennai
Associated templeKapaleeswarar Temple, Mylapore
Guru PujaMargazhi — Revathi
In the sixty-threeNo. 51
The Life
Vayilar Nayanar was a Shaiva Vellalar of Mylapore who longed above all to build a temple for Shiva, but was too poor to raise even the stones. So he built the temple within his own mind. Each day, in unbroken meditation, he mentally raised the sanctum and towers, installed the Lord, bathed him with imagined abhisheka, and offered flowers, lamps, incense and food, performing the full worship with total love — his inner joy becoming the sacred bathing, his devotion the offering, and the light of his own soul the lamp. This constant, flawless mind-worship (manasika puja) was as real and dear to Shiva as any temple built of stone, and for the perfection of his inward service the Lord received him into his grace.
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 ›