Nayanmars

The Nayanmars were a group of 63 Shaivite saints from Tamil Nadu, South India. They lived between the 6th and 8th centuries CE. Their lives and devotional poetry are preserved in the Tirumurai, a twelve-volume collection of Tamil religious literature. The Nayanmars were instrumental in the spread of Shaivism, the worship of the Hindu god Shiva, across South India.

These saints came from various social backgrounds, including Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Shudras, as well as outcasts. This inclusivity highlights the egalitarian nature of their devotion. Prominent among the Nayanmars were figures like Kannappa, Appar, Sambandar, and Sundarar. Their hymns, known as "Thevaram," are considered divine revelations and are sung in temples to this day.

The devotion of the Nayanmars was characterized by intense love and surrender to Shiva. Their poetry often describes personal experiences of divine grace, miraculous events, and philosophical insights. They composed their hymns in Tamil, making their devotional message accessible to the common people. The compilation and organization of the Nayanmars' hymns into the Tirumurai were undertaken by Nambiyandar Nambi in the 10th century. The Nayanmars' legacy continues to be celebrated in Shaivite traditions, with their hymns forming a core part of religious worship and cultural heritage in Tamil Nadu.