63 Nayanmars - 2 Thiru Nila Kanda Nayanar

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Thiru Nila Kanda Nayanar

Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar was resident of Chidambaram, where Lord Natraja proved that he is supreme in dance. He was also called Adal Vallavan. Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar was a potter by profession. He was a great Shiva devotee and used to serve the devotees of Lord Shiva with love and affection. He used to give away begging bowls to shiva devotees.

Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar was a good samartian but he had a weakness for sensual pleasure. Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar had a very beautiful lady as his better half who accompanied him in his service. One day he visited a lady companion and enjoyed sensual pleasures with her. When he returned home his wife was upset with him that he had been to such a place. Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar used sweet words and tried to hug her to bring down her disappointment.

Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar wife said” Don’t touch us , Thiru Nilakanta”

Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar was shocked as his wife had commanded him by taking Lord Shiva name Thiru Nilakanta and ordered him to not touch her.so he removed his hands from her. Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar took a oath to himself that he wont even touch a female in his dreams. Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar continued to do the duties of married couples but abstained themselves from base feelings of sex. Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar was a reformed man and he stood strong in his principles as he learnt from his mistake so he would not commit the same blunder again. Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar and his wife never revealed about their relationship and was an ideal couple.

Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar and his wife grew old they had lost their youthful charms but they stood by their vow. One day an old ascetic with holy ash smeared all over his body turned up at Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar house front and asked him to keep his clay alms bowl safe till he returned after his journey. Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar keot the bowl in a secure place in his home and went about his duties. After many months the old asectic man came to Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar house and asked for his clay bowl , Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar searched his house but could not find the bowl. The old sage that Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar is cheating him as the bowl is a special one. Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar offered a new begging bowl in place of old one but the ascetic shiva refused to take even if the bowl was made of gold. Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar pleaded innocence to the Saint. The sage asked Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar to take a pledge while taking a dip in the pond holding his Son’s hand. Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar told him that he does not have a son, so he will take the pledge alone.

The Sage then asks him to hold his wife hand and take the oath by dipping in the pond. Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar being an honest man address the sage that he cannot hold his wife’s hand because of his oath. The sage in mock anger declares Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar as a liar and takes the issue to the court of Priest of Thillai. The court hears both sides  and orders Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar to take dip in the pond holding his wife’s hand. Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar revealed his oath of not touching her. The Court priests of Thillai asked Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar and his wife to hold a stick inbetween them and take a dip.

Above picture is below  Bhikshadanar statue in  Darasuram

Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar came  to the pond with his wife to the temple Thiruppulchcharam temple. Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar and his wife held each corner of the bamboo stick and took a dip in the pond and when they emerged out their youth was restored to the divine couples. The old ascetic was actually none other than Shiva who wanted to know the pure virtue of his devotee Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar. Thiru Nilakanta Nayanar and his wife and the court priests were rewarded with vision of Lord Shiva and his consort on Nandi Thevar. They both lived in service of Lord. The temple is called as Illamayakkinnar kovil and pond is Illamayakkinnar Kulam. The temple and pond where the youth of the old couple was restored.

The Lord said, "Due to the merit of having lived a life of self-control and devotion, you will live in My Eternal Abode, forever youthful."

A statue of Thiru NIla Kanda Nayanar and his wife in Panangattu Easwarar temple

Location of the temple:

After the Vikravandi Tollgate(before Villupuram) on NH 45, while traveling from Chennai, take the first left. This is the road that goes towards Thanjavur and Kumbakonam. The temple is about 2 kms from the checkpost on the left.

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