ANAYA NAYANAR

INTRODUCTION
Anaya Nayanar, is a Shaivite Saint, and is
considered as one among the 63 Nayanars. He
used to play Lord Shiva’s names and his
mantra on his flute, and he appears similar to Lord
Krishna.
LIFE
Anaya belonged to Yadava Community. Anaya
was born and brought up in Trichy. Trichy contains
several holy temples like Malaikottai Vinayaka
Temple. And also contains Samavedeshvarar
Temple, a famous Shiva temple. He used to take
care of his cows and with the cow’s milk, he
earned for his livelihood and he gave some milk
for Lord Shiva’s abhishekham in the
Samavardeshvarar Temple. Anayar used to apply
sacred ash on his body, and wears Rudraksha in
his neck. And he was very much interested in
playing flute in praise of Lord Shiva. Due to his
melodious music, people from nearby villages
were also got attracted and listened to his music.
His music mesmerized even the animals and the
birds, and it all surrounds him and listens to his
music. It is believed that even the Demi gods from
the heaven appeared in front of him to listen to his
flute music. In appreciation to his sincere and pure
bhakti, Lord Shiva appeared with Mata Parvati,
and blessed Anayar. After his death, he reached
KAILASA, the holy abode of Lord Shiva. In Shiva
Temples, Anaya Nayanar idol was crafted similar
to Lord Krishna, since both of them were postured
in the form of playing flute.
Anaya Nayanar is specially worshipped in
the Tamil month of Karthigai and also worshipped
by the people in all other days in the shiva temples
along with other nayanmars.
IMPORTANCE
Apart from taking care of cows and playing flute in
praise of shiva, he was a good natured and soft
spoken person. He was a sincere devotee of Lord
Shiva and his thoughts were always on him. He
never thought about unwanted things, and
dedicated his entire life on devoting Lord Shiva.
Let us worship the great nayanar saint and be
blessed.
“OM SREE ANAYA NAYANARE NAMAHA”
“OM NAMAH SHIVAYA”
“OM SAKTHI PARASAKTHI”
WRITTEN BY
R.HARISHANKAR