1. Apputhi Adigal, spelt as Apputhi Adikal, Atputhi Adigal, Apputi Adigal, Appoodi Adikal, Appoothi Adikal and Appudhi Adigal and known as Appuddi Nayanar, was a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism.
21 Facts About Apputhi Adigal
1. 2.
Apputhi Adigal is generally counted as the twenty-fifth in the list of 63 Nayanars.
3.
Apputhi Adigal is described as a contemporary of Appar or Thirunavukkarasar, one of the most prominent Nayanars.
4.
The life of Apputhi Adigal is described in the Tamil Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar, which is a hagiography of the 63 Nayanars.
5.
Apputhi Adigal was born in the village of Thingalur, Chola kingdom.
6.
Apputhi Adigal's family had the job of reciting the Vedic scriptures.
7.
Apputhi Adigal was a staunch devotee of Shiva and a follower of Appar, who he regarded as his guru even though he has ever met Appar.
8.
Apputhi Adigal named his sons, cows and everything else in his house "Tirunavukkarasu", after Appar.
9.
Apputhi Adigal worshipped Appar and erected rest-houses and water-sheds and dug ponds for devotees of Shiva and named them after Appar.
10.
Appar went to the home of Apputhi Adigal and was welcomed by his host as a devotee of Shiva.
11.
Apputhi Adigal shouted at the guest and asked if he did not know the greatness of Appar and sang his guru's glories.
12.
Apputhi Adigal realized by the description that his guest was his guru Appar.
13.
Apputhi Adigal fell at his guru's feet and worshipped him.
14.
Apputhi Adigal washed Appar's feet with his family and sprinkled the "holy" water on him and his kin.
15.
Apputhi Adigal requested Appar to have lunch at the house; Appar consented.
16.
Apputhi Adigal called the eldest son to receive it; Apputhi said he would not be available without mentioning the son's death.
17.
Finally, upon further enquiry, Apputhi Adigal revealed the truth to Appar.
18.
Apputhi Adigal is said to have earned the grace of Shiva by serving Appar.
19.
Apputhi Adigal is worshipped in the Tamil month of Thai, when the moon enters the Shatabhisha nakshatra.
20.
Apputhi Adigal is depicted with a shaved head and folded hands.
21.
Apputhi Adigal receives collective worship as part of the 63 Nayanars.