Many times, ignorance and lack of opportunity along with some factors beyond control, cause downfall in life. The subsequent meteoric rise to glory by a stroke of divine intervention is what makes legends. Such legends are revered and celebrated in history. One such king, who came in the lunar dynasty of the Pandyas ruling from Madurai, was Nedumaranar. The king, who was called Kunpandiyan because of his hunch back, was swayed by immature philosophies. He was a follower of Jainism. The king’s mysterious fever, resulting from his misrule, was cured by the splendid prodigy saint Tirugnana Sambandhar. Along with that his hunch-back and his deluded mind were cured, setting his kingdom on the glorious path of Shaivam. He became Ninrachir Nedumara Nayanar or “Nedumarar who stood up perfectly”, by the prayer of his wonderful wife Queen Mangaiyarkkarasiyar and devoted minister Kulachiraiyar, the grace of the young beacon of Shaivam and above all, the blessings of Lord Shiva.

The Sun rose again on the ancient Tamil kingdom marking the end of an age of darkness. The glory of the great temple of the Lord seated under the banyan tree ushered in an illustrious period with contributions from the enlightened common people and the king. The land regained its prominence in history. During the Nayanar’s rule, kings from the north came with a huge army for war. At the battlefield of Tirunelveli, the valorous king defeated the invaders in a great battle, etching this victory forever in the annals of history. Regal and merciful as a ruler, his heart firmly fixed at the feet of Mahesha, the lord of the great Mangaiyarkkarasiyar, lived long, governing the empire in the name of Lord Shiva. Just as he entered the hearts of seekers, he entered the final state at the service of the Lord. Let the glorious transformation of the historic Pandya king Ninrachir Nedumara Nayanar stay in the mind.

Guru Pooja: Aipassi / Bharani or Tula / Bharani

Har Har Mahadev

• Birth place of Thiru-Ninracheer Nedumara Nayanar
• Thiru-Ninracheer Nedumara Nayanar puranam in English Poetry
• திருநின்றசீர் நெடுமாற நாயனார் புராணம் - செய்யுள்
• திருநின்றசீர் நெடுமாற நாயனார் புராணம் உரைநடை
• निन्रचीर नेडुमार नायनार  दिव्य चरित्र

See Also: 
1. Thirugnana sambandhar
2. Mangaiyarkkarasiyar
3. Kulachiraiyar

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