Nayanars

Nayanars are a group of 63 Tamil Shaiva saints revered in the Tamil Vaishnavite and Shaivite religious traditions. They are traditionally placed in the early medieval period, roughly from the 6th to the 9th centuries CE, and are regarded as key figures of the Tamil Bhakti movement. Their devotion to Lord Shiva is expressed through poetry, hymns, and biographical legends that emphasize personal devotion, moral virtue, and social inclusivity.

The lives and deeds of the Nayanars are told in later hagiographies, most notably the Periya Puranam (The Great Purana) by Sekkizhar, written in the 12th century. This work presents their miracles, steadfast faith, and travels across Tamil lands to establish and sanctify Shiva temples, often outside of orthodox ritual constraints. Their narratives helped shape temple-centered Shaiva worship and the spread of Tamil devotional culture.

Many of the Nayanars contributed to Tamil liturgy through hymns that formed the core of Tamil Shaiva devotional poetry. The best-known collection of their hymns is the Tevaram, attributed to the early trio Sambandar, Appar (Tirunavukkarar), and Sundarar, whose works became foundational to Tamil liturgy and later compiled into the Tirumurai. The 63 saints as a group are honored for their inclusive, lay-centered devotion and their critique of ritualism perceived as exclusive.

Notable members include Karaikal Ammaiyar (one of the few prominent female Nayanars), Appar, Sambandar, Sundarar, and Manikkavacakar. The Nayanars’ legacy remains influential in Tamil temple culture, religious practice, and the broader Shaiva tradition in Tamil Nadu and parts of Sri Lanka.