Manakancharanar Nayanar is one among the 63
nayanars mentioned in the
Periya Puranam. He lived in the
Chola kingdom and was a great devotee of
Lord Shiva. Nayanar had no children for a long time and he was finally blessed with a daughter by Lord Shiva.
During the daughter’s marriage, Lord Shiva appeared there in the form of Maha-Vrathiar, man of great vow. Manakancharanar Nayanar welcomed him and the girl came to receive his blessings. Seeing her flowing hair, the ascetic wanted her hair to make a sacred thread to adorn his chest. Without thinking more Nayanar cut her hair and handed it to the ascetic. Lord Shiva was pleased with his extreme devotion and appeared along with Parvati to bless them.
