20 Facts About Kotpuli

Kotpuli is generally counted as the fifty-seventh in the list of 63 Nayanars.

The life of Kotpuli Nayanar is described in the Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar, which is a hagiography of the 63 Nayanars.

Kotpuli is described as a contemporary of one of the most prominent Nayanars, Sundarar.

Kotpuli Nayanar was born in Nattiyattankuti, in the Chola kingdom.

Kotpuli's home-town is currently known as Tirunattiyattangudi, Thanjavur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Kotpuli was born in a Chozhia Vellalar family, a caste of agricultural land owners.

Kotpuli was a great devotee of Lord Shiva, the patron god of Shaivism.

Kotpuli won the war and returned with many gifts from the Chola king.

Kotpuli learnt of the actions of his relatives and decided to punish them.

Kotpuli invited all his kin to his house for a celebration of his victory.

Kotpuli ordered the doors of his mansions be closed so his relatives can not escape and made a servant stand guard.

Kotpuli killed his parents, brothers and wives for their transgression.

Kotpuli killed the infant too, reasoning he had drunk the breast milk of a woman, who had consumed the rice.

Pleased by his intense devotion, Lord Shiva appeared before Kotpuli and blessed him.

Kotpuli is said to given two of daughters Cinkati and Vannapakai to Sundarar, who reared them as their foster father.

Kotpuli is especially associated with the Shiva temple in Nattiyattankudi and is worshipped in the temple.

Kotpuli is described as kotiran, "one who is like pincers or jaws" and defeated enemy kings in war.

Kotpuli is worshipped in the Tamil month of Aadi, when the moon enters the Jyeshtha nakshatra.

Kotpuli is depicted wearing a crown, with folded hands and holding a sword in the crook of his arm.

Kotpuli receives collective worship as part of the 63 Nayanars.