INTRODUCTION
Pugazh Thunai Nayanar was a Nayanar saint, and is considered as one among the 63 Nayanars, and is well known for his sincere devotion on Lord Shiva.
LIFE
Pugazh Thunai Nayanar was born in Alagaputhur in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. He belonged to the priest caste. The Nayanar was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. He worked as a temple priest at the Padikasu Nathar Temple of Alagaputhur. He used to perform abhishekham to the Lingam and performed various pujas for Lord Shiva. He also provided food to the devotees of Lord Shiva at his home.
Once, due to severe drought, he has become very poor and was unable to provide himself food and to his family. His body became very weak. One day due to severe hunger he was fainted and he could not proceed to do puja for shiva lingam. Due to the grace of Lord Shiva daily he was presented with a gold coin at the foot of the lingam in order to sustain himself and his family till the end of the famine. He continued his services till the end of his life, and after his death, he reached the holy abode of Lord Shiva, The Kailasa.
Sundarar praises Pugazh Thunai Nayanar in the divine text “Tiruthonda Thogai”.
Pugazh Thunai Nayanar is worshipped with his wife in the Padikasu Nathar Temple. His descendants were still serving as the temple priests. Pugazh Thunai Nayanar is specially worshipped in the Tamil month of Avani.
IMPORTANCE
Pugazh Thunai Nayanar was a dedicated shiva devotee who lived with the thoughts of Lord Shiva, and done his services to the god and to his devotees in a proper manner. He was well known for his utmost faith and pure devotion on god.
Let us worship the great nayanar and be blessed.
“OM SREE PUGAZH THUNAI NAYANARE NAMAHA”
“OM NAMAH SHIVAYA”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR
