In the fertile lands of the Chozha kingdom where the Ponni (Kaveri) river flows, there isa village Ganamangalam. Here there are ponds filled with green leaves of lotus flowers interspersed between fields of golden crops, that verily remind us of Shakti sitting on the lap of Lord Shiva.

Here lived Thayanar, leading a married life guided by moral values, following his hereditary profession of feeding the world by ploughing the earth – agriculture. He was rich both materially and in his heart. While his material wealth could be measured, the wealth of the service he rendered to the holy feet, that even Hari and Virinchi could not find, was immeasurable. There is an old Tamil adage, "Tender mango can feed the food that even a mother fails to feed". His love for the Lord was more than that for his mother. His daily service to the Lord was to offer the best rice along with fresh spinach and the tender mango (mavadu). He served this along with his love for the Lord, whose devotion is the essence one must really taste in this world.

He, our Master, wanted to illuminate the service of Thayanar to the world. He slowly eroded his wealth. But how could Thayanar lose his wealth? He continued to have the wealth of worship and service even in the absence of what others considered wealth. He started doing farmwork for others, from the rice grains he got as payment for that, he reserved the best quality grains to make the best food for the Formless. He would eat and feed others of his family with the rice grains that were of low quality. The unfathomable Lord brought change to that status as well. The fields went dry, due to natural calamities. Thayanar couldn't get work anywhere to continue his service. But his determination for serving the Lord was much more than that could be easily subdued. His wife who was like Arundati in serving her husband, gave her ornaments, the house, furniture and vessels as deposits to get a loan. They used that money to continue the worship without a break. Here was the perfect picture of an ideal couple who always walked the path of high moral values and generosity. This is after all the essence of married life.

One day as was the routine, Thayanar carried in a basket the rice that was as pure as his love, the tasty spinach and tender mango. His wife of chaste heart followed him with the five holy materials obtained from the cow - panchagavya. While they gave the Lord who knew no hunger, the best food, they starved. This took its toll and, on that day, due to fatigue Thayanar’s wobbling feet gave way and he fell down spilling all that he carried in the basket. His wife who was walking behind in an effort to save her husband dropped the panchagavya too. He felt very bad not for his state but for his inability to do his duty as he had spilt the food meant for Lord Shiva. He felt miserable for not being blessed with offering the food for the Lord who fed the piglets crying in hunger. He then took out his dagger, with the intention of cutting his neck. At that very moment the sound of the graceful God "Please leave! Leave!" was heard along with biting of the tender mango and he appeared holding the hand of the devotee. No sooner did the hand of the Almighty, that blesses all the creatures in the universe, touch his neck, the wound in his neck disappeared along with his karma. With folded hands and devotion that had multiplied, he praised the Parashiva who appeared on the holy Bull with His Shakti. The giver of boons appreciated the couple’s love and took both of them to reside with Him. As he attempted to cut his neck in disappointment of not being able to complete the service he undertook for Umapati, he got the name Arivattaya (Arival Thayanar). Let the dedication of Arivattaya Nayanar, who was determined to serve the Lord in spite of the serious problems he had, stay in the mind.

Guru Pooja: Thai / Tiruvathurai or Makara / Ardra

Har Har Mahadev

• Birth place of Arivattaya Nayanar
• Arivattaya Nayanar Puranam in English Poetry
• அரிவாட்டாய நாயனார் புராணம் - செய்யுள்
• அரிவாட்டாய நாயனார் புராணம் உரைநடை 
• अरिवाट्टाय नायनार दिव्य चरित्र 

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