In a significant cultural and social event, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi attended the Nandanar Guru Puja ceremony held in Ma. Adanur village, Kattumannarkovil circle, Cuddalore district. The ceremony, organised by Tamil Seva Sangam, honoured Nandanar, also known as Thirunalaipovar Nayanmar. The Nandanar Guru Puja is a form of worship steeped in Puranic traditions.
One of the significant highlights of the event was Governor RN Ravi presiding over a ceremony in which over 100 people, all hailing from Adi Dravidar communities were bestowed with the sacred thread known as ‘poonool’ or ‘janeu,’ which is traditionally worn by Brahmins and many other communities. This symbolic gesture aimed to promote inclusivity and equality.
Addressing the gathering at the Upanayanam and Nandanar Guru Puja ceremony, Governor RN Ravi expressed concern over the rising incidents of caste-based violence in Tamil Nadu, even involving school students. He noted the divisive politics based on caste and religion in the state and urged unity among the people for a brighter future.
Governor Ravi also drew attention to the alarming increase in rape cases and the low conviction rates, emphasizing the need for a more robust legal system to address such crimes. He highlighted instances of contaminated water supply to Dalit communities at Vengaivayal and incidents of violence, such as the recent attack on a 12-year-old SC schoolboy by upper-caste students in Nanguneri.
The event was attended by prominent figures, including Sridhar Vembu, the founder and chairman of Zoho Corporation, and SP Gnana Saravanavel, the founder and trustee of Tamil Seva Sangam.
The Nandanar Guru Puja ceremony was held in Ma. Adanur village, the birthplace of Nandanar, near Kattumannarkoil in Cuddalore district, was a testament to the rich cultural heritage and commitment to social justice in the region. With the participation of Governor RN Ravi and the symbolic act of bestowing the ‘poonool’ on non-upper-caste individuals, the event conveyed a powerful message of unity, equality, and inclusivity.
VCK MP Thirumavalavan Insults Periyapuranam And Hinduism
While the sacred thread ceremony was organized as a mark of inclusivity, I.N.D.I Ally VCK MP took the opportunity to go on a tirade against Hinduism.
Hitting out at Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi for presiding over the function in which Nandanar community were adorned the poonool, Thirumavalavan said that the act amounted to denigration the working class people in the name of upliftment.
“This is what is Sanathanam“, he said condemning the Hindu faith.
“Does the governor say that others who do not wear poonul are inferior? Will the Governor make the Adi Dravidians who are dressed in Poonul as temple priests?“, he added.
“Let us reject the Periya Puranam which denigrates the king Nandan, as a cow-eating Pulayan“, Thirumavalavan said.
Who Is Nandan And What Is Periya Puranam?
Nandanar, also known as Thirunaallaippovaar, was a revered Nayanar saint within the Shaivism sect of Hinduism. He holds a unique place among the Nayanars as the only Paraiyar saint and is typically listed as the eighteenth among the 63 Nayanars. Much like his fellow Nayanars, Nandanar was a devout devotee of Lord Shiva.
The Periya Puranam, a 12th-century Tamil epic compiled by Sekkizhar, chronicles the lives of the sixty-three Nayanars (Tamil Shaivite poets) and is a revered Hindu text.
The story of Nandanar has been retold through various mediums in Tamil culture, including folk tales, folk music, plays, films, and literature. Although Nandanar’s inclusion in the Nayanar list dates back to the 8th century CE, the Periya Puranam provides a comprehensive hagiographical account of his life.
The narrative revolves around two miraculous events associated with him: one involving the movement of a massive stone bull in the Sivalokanathar Temple in Tirupunkur, which remains in its shifted position, and the other depicting Nandanar’s ritual purification by fire at the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram. These tales continue to be an integral part of the lore and religious literature of both temples.
Nandanar In Periya Puranam
The Periya Puranam recounts the humble origins of Nandanar, who hailed from Adhanur in the Chola kingdom. He was born into the Pulaiya caste, considered “untouchables” or Dalits, known for their occupation as agricultural laborers and musicians, particularly drummers. Nandanar’s deep devotion was directed towards Lord Shiva, the patron deity of Shaivism.
Despite his impoverished background, Nandanar was a skilled leather craftsman, specializing in the creation of drums and musical instruments. He also fulfilled various roles in his village, such as a watchman and town crier, using his drumming skills for communication. During Nandanar’s era, Dalits were barred from entering Hindu temples. Thus, he would stand outside Shiva temples, singing praises and dancing in reverence to Shiva.
However, his heart’s desire was to behold the sacred icon of Shiva at the Sivalokanathar Temple in Tirupunkur. This temple visit was hindered by a massive stone Nandi, the sacred bull of Shiva, which obstructed his view. In response to Nandanar’s devotion, Lord Shiva, in his compassion, ordered Nandi to shift aside, granting Nandanar an unobstructed view of Shiva’s central icon. In gratitude, Nandanar cleaned the temple surroundings, excavated a pond (now the temple tank), circumambulated the shrine, and eventually returned to Adanur.
Nandanar’s spiritual journey led him to visit various Shiva temples, where he served the deity diligently. His longing to visit the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, dedicated to Shiva as Nataraja, the Lord of Dance, was unwavering. He would declare his intention to visit Chidambaram daily but hesitated to enter the holy town due to the prohibition against his entry. Thus, he earned the moniker “Tiru-Nalai-povar,” meaning ‘he who will go tomorrow.’
In a significant turn of events, Nandanar reached the outskirts of Chidambaram but hesitated to step inside. Exhausted, he circled the town multiple times and eventually fell asleep. In his dream, Shiva instructed Nandanar to enter the temple through a sacred fire. Simultaneously, the deity informed the Brahmin priests of Chidambaram to prepare a pyre. Following the divine command, the Brahmins approached Nandanar the next day.
Nandanar, chanting Shiva’s name, walked into the holy fire, emerging transformed. He appeared as a Brahmin sage with matted hair, the sacred thread across his chest, and sacred ash adorning his body. Alongside the Brahmins, Nandanar entered the inner sanctum of the temple, beholding Nataraja.
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