The Nayanmars: Sixty-Three Voices of Devotion
The Nayanmars are a group of sixty-three Shaivite saints of Tamil Nadu, revered for their intense, personal devotion to Lord Shiva, expressed through hymns composed between roughly the sixth and ninth centuries. Their compositions, gathered together as the Tevaram and forming part of the larger Tirumurai collection, remain central to Tamil Shaivite worship, still sung in temples during rituals today.
What sets the Nayanmars apart is the extraordinary range of backgrounds among them: kings and commoners, farmers and hunters, a potter and even a warrior chieftain, along with Karaikal Ammaiyar, one of the earliest known woman saints in the Tamil bhakti tradition. Their diversity is itself considered a profound teaching.
Their Stories: Told Through the Periya Puranam
The lives of the Nayanmars are preserved in the Periya Puranam, composed by the poet-saint Sekkizhar, itself considered one of the great devotional texts of Tamil literature. Among the most celebrated Nayanmars are Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar, three saints whose hymns are especially treasured and whose combined devotion is often spoken of together as an example of Shiva bhakti at its purest.
Many of their stories describe ordinary people transformed by unwavering faith, undertaking acts of extraordinary sacrifice and devotion for Shiva's sake. Devotees find in these accounts less a record of miracles and more a lesson: that sincere devotion mattered more than social standing in the eyes of the divine.
Why the Nayanmars Matter to Devotees Today
The Nayanmars are remembered not merely as historical figures but as living examples of what devotion looks like when practised without reservation.
- Their Tevaram hymns continue to be sung daily in Shiva temples across Tamil Nadu, connecting present-day worship to centuries of tradition
- The inclusion of saints from every social background is cherished by devotees as a reminder that devotion transcends birth or status
- Temples such as Kapaleeshwarar in Chennai honour all sixty-three Nayanmars together in an annual procession, the Arubathimoovar festival
- Their combined legacy shaped the broader Tamil bhakti movement, influencing devotional practice far beyond Tamil Nadu
A Few Nayanmars Devotees Often Remember
Among the sixty-three, a few names are especially familiar to devotees. Appar is remembered for his hymns of humility and hard physical labour undertaken in service of Shiva temples. Sambandar, a child saint, is celebrated for hymns of remarkable devotion composed from a very young age. Sundarar is remembered for his close, almost friendly relationship with Shiva, addressing him directly in his verses. Karaikal Ammaiyar stands out for her extraordinary austerity and unwavering devotion.
Devotees encountering these stories for the first time are often struck by how personal and immediate their relationship with Shiva feels, even across so many centuries.
Where the Nayanmars' Legacy Lives On
The Nayanmars' presence can be felt across the many Shaivite temples of Tamil Nadu, particularly the Paadal Petra Sthalams, over two hundred and fifty temples specifically praised in their Tevaram hymns. Temples such as Chidambaram, Thiruvaiyaru and Kapaleeshwarar in Chennai are especially associated with their memory and continue to host recitations of Tevaram hymns during daily rituals and festivals.
A Simple Prayer and the Takeaway
Devotees inspired by the Nayanmars often chant Om Namah Shivaya while calling to mind the humility of Appar or the devotion of Sambandar.
The Nayanmars remind devotees that devotion is not measured by status or circumstance but by the sincerity a heart brings to worship. Their legacy is an act of faith and love, not a transaction.
Common Questions From Devotees
Who are the Nayanmars?+
The Nayanmars are sixty-three Tamil Shaivite saint-poets, revered for their devotional hymns to Lord Shiva composed between roughly the sixth and ninth centuries, later compiled as the Tevaram.
What is the Periya Puranam?+
The Periya Puranam is a Tamil devotional text composed by the poet-saint Sekkizhar, narrating the life stories of all sixty-three Nayanmars.
Who are the most well-known Nayanmars?+
Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar are among the most celebrated Nayanmars, alongside Karaikal Ammaiyar, one of the earliest known woman saints in Tamil bhakti tradition.
About the author
Pandit Ravindra Sharma · Vedic Rituals & Bhakti, 22+ years
Pandit Ravindra is the Vandnaa editorial team's resident specialist on aarti, chalisa, and daily devotion. He has performed home and temple pujas across Varanasi and Delhi for over two decades and contributes the bhakti-focused articles on this site.
Meet the Vandnaa editorial team →
