Tiru Nalai Povar Nayanar

Tiru Nalai Povar Nayanar, literally means 'one who would go tomorrow,' is one of the 63 nayanars explained in the Periya Puranam. Nandanar was his original name. Nandanar was born in Adanoor of Chola Kingdom. He came from Paraiah caste, those were untouchables. Tiru Nalai Povar Nayanar was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva.

Nandanar used to meet his livelihood by selling leather drums and such other musical instruments for the temples. Once he had a great desire to have darshan of the Lord at Tirupunkur. So he stood in front of the temple, but Nandi, which is always right infront of the Lord was hiding him. The Lord highly pleased on his devotion, and asked Nandi to move a little so that Nandanar might have His darshan. Nowadays also Nandi seems leaning one side in this temple.

Nandanar also had another desire to go to Chidambaram and have darshan of Lord Nataraja. At that time he always used to tell his friends that he would surely go to Chidambaram next day. This incident earned him the name 'Tiru Nalai Povar Nayanar.' Tiru Nalai Povar Nayanar wished to see the Lord's cosmic dance in his Nritya Sabha. But it was not possible then as he was an untouchable. On hearing his prayer, the Lord appeared in his dream and told him to take a fire bath and then come to his Kanaka Sabha along with the Brahmins. At the same appeared in the dream of Brahmins and told them prepare a sacred fire for Nandanar. The next day Nandanar came there and took fire bath. After that Nandanar disappeared with a dazzling light become one with Lord Nataraja.

[Source (7) 01-June-2005]