Legends of the Nayanmars

75

Sundaramurthi Nayanar and Cheraman Perumal formed a

rare bond of friendship, strengthened by their mutual love for
Lord Shiva. Together, they decided to visit the great temple in
Madurai. On their pilgrimage, they visited many holy Shiva
shrines en route. They were received with great fanfare by the
Pandya King on their arrival in Madurai. They worshipped Lord
Shiva in all the holy shrines around Madurai and returned to
Thiruvarur. On the request of Cheraman Perumal,
Sundaramurthi Nayanar and his wife accompanied him back to
the Chera Kingdom.
The King and his beloved friend were received with great
fanfare by the devotees of the Kingdom. Cheraman Perumal,
felt very happy that such an esteemed person had visited him.
He went to all lengths to make his visit comfortable. He seated
him in the royal elephant and fanned him during his ride towards
the palace. Once in the royal palace, the King requested the
Saint to sit in the royal Throne and insisted on washing his feet
and served him with complete devotion. Sundaramurthi Nayanar
stayed for several days and later returned to Thiruvarur.
After several months, Sundaramurthi Nayanar had the
desire to meet his friend one more time. He visited the Chera
Kingdom. The King, Kalaritrarivaarwas delighted to hear of
his friends arrival and ordered his courtiers to decorate the entire
city in honor of the great devotee. The second meeting of the
two great devotees of Lord Shiva was very poignant.
One morning, Sundaramurthi Nayanar went to visit Lord
Shivas shrine in Thiruvanichakkalam. Cheraman Perumal sent
a majestic white elephant to escort him back to the palace. The
great devotee, prayed fervently to Lord Shiva to liberate him
from the mortal bondage and to help him reach salvation. As he
was thus thinking and climbing the elephant to go back to the
palace, divine providence intervened.