1. Manikkavacakar was a 3rd-century Tamil saint and poet who wrote Thiruvasagam and Thirukkovaiyar, books of Shaiva hymns.
16 Facts About Manikkavacakar
1. 2.
Manikkavacakar is revered as one of the Nalvar, a set of four prominent Tamil saints alongside Appar, Sundarar and Sambandar.
3.
Manikkavacakar's works are celebrated for their poetic expression of the anguish of being separated from God, and the joy of God-experience, with ecstatic religious fervour.
4.
Manikkavacakar is said to have been born in Vadhavoor.
5.
Manikkavacakar was conferred with the title, "Thennavan bhramarayan" by the Pandyan king.
6.
Manikkavacakar received enlightenment, realising that material things are transitory in nature and built a temple for Shiva in Tirupperunturai with the money given for purchasing horses.
7.
Thereafter Manikkavacakar moved from one place to other, singing and composing devotional songs.
8.
Manikkavacakar's Tiruvasakam is placed near the Murti of God Shiva there.
9.
Manikkavacakar wrote Thirukkovaiyar before he attained Mukti in which he follows the tradition of having Lord Shiva as Thalaivan and considering himself as Thalaivi.
10.
Manikkavacakar is believed to have won intellectual arguments with Buddhists of Ceylon at Chidambaram.
11.
Manikkavacakar's festival is celebrated in the Tamil month of Aani.
12.
Manikkavacakar's hagiography is found in the Thiruvilaiyadar Puranam.
13.
In 1921, an English translation of Manikkavacakar's hymns was done by Francis Kingsbury and GE Phillips, both of United Theological College, Bangalore and published in a book as Hymns of the Tamil Saivite Saints, by the Oxford University Press.
14.
Manikkavacakar visited various temples in Thanjavur, North Arcot, Chengalpattu, Madras, Tirunelveli and Madurai districts of Tamil Nadu and revered the deities.
15.
Manikkavacakar is sported with his right hand in Upadesa posture and left hand holding a palm leaf manuscript.
16.
Manikkavacakar is sported as wearing a thin loincloth and a sacred thread over his chest.