Nayanmars

Nayanmars (or Nayanars) (5th - 10th century) were saints mostly from Tamil Nadu whose lives embodied deep devotion towards Lord Shiva. They sang divine hymns praising the 176 sacred shrines of Lord Shiva which are called the Paadal Petra Sthalams. The collection of their divine hymns are included in Tirumurai. Their lives are recorded in the book Periya Puranam. The 63 Nayanmars are:

1. Sundara Murthy Nayanar

2. Thiruneelakantha Nayanar
- Thillai or Chidambaram
- Potter
- Vowed not to touch his wife or other women

3. Iyarpahai Nayanar (Iyarpagai Nayanar)
- Kaveripoom Pattinam or Poompuhar
- Merchant
- Gave away his wife as a service to a brahmin Shiva-devotee

4. Ilayankudimara Nayanar

5. Meypporul Nayanar

6. Viranminda Nayanar

7. Amarneethi Adigal

8. Eripattha Nayanar

9. Yenadhi Nayanar

10. Kanappa Nayanar

11. Kunkuliya Kalaya Nayanar

12. Manakkanjhara Nayanar

13. Arivattaya Nayanar

14. Aanaya Nayanar

15. Moorti Nayanar

16. Muruga Nayanar

17. Rudra Pasupathi Nayanar

18. Thirunalaip Povaar Nayanar

19. Thirukkuripput Thonda Nayanar

20. Chandesura Nayanar

21. Thirunavukku Arasar (Appar)

22. Kulachirayar

23. Kurumba Nayanar

24. Karaikkal Ammayar

25. Appodhi Adigal Nayanar

26. Thiruneelanakkar

27. Naminandi Adigal Nayanar

28. Thirujnana Sambandhar

29. Eyarkoan (Kalikkama Nayanar)

30. Tirumoola Nayanar

31. Dhandi Adigal Nayanar

32. Moorkha Nayanar

33. Somasimara Nayanar

34. Sakkiya Nayanar

35. Chirappuli Nayanar

36. Siruthonda Nayanar

37. Kazharitru Arivar (Cheraman Perumal Nayanar)

38. Gananatha Nayanar

39. Kotruva Nayanar

40. Puhazh Chozhan

41. Narasinga Munaiyaraiya Nayanar

42. Athipattha Nayanar

43. Kalikkamba Nayanar

44. Kaliya Nayanar

45. Satti (Sakti) Nayanar

46. Aiyadigal (Kadavarkone) Nayanar

47. Kanampulla Nayanar

48. Kari Nayanar

49. Ninraseer Nedumara Nayanar

50. Vayilar Nayanar

51. Munai Aduvar Nayanar

52. Kazharchinga Nayanar

53. Idangazhi Nayanar

54. Serutthunai Nayanar

55. Puhazh-Thunai Nayanar

56. Koatpuli Nayanar

57. Poosalar Nayanar

58. Mangaikkarasiar

59. Nesa Nayanar

60. Koacchengat Chozha Nayanar

61. Thiru Neelakanta Nayanar

62. Sadaiya Nayanar

63. Isaijnaniyar