Devotees of Lord Shiva are called Saivaites. Among the Saivaites, who spent their life in the service of the Lord Shiva are called "Sivan Adiyargal" or servants of Shiva. The enlightened ones are know as Nayanmar and they are 63 in number. These Saivaites belonged to different communities and were both men and women.
Nayanmar were a group of 63 saints (also saint poets) in the 6th to 8th century and were devoted to Lord Shiva.
Among the Nayanmars, there were women. The senior among them were Karaikal Ammayar, Mangayarkarasiyar, the wife of Koon Pandiyan, Isai Gnaniyar, the wife of Sadayanar Nayanar.
Before we start learning about "Nayanmars", one should know about "Samaya kuravargal", those who are engaged in spreading the faith or belief in the religion. There are four Samaya Kuravargal namely, "Gnanasambarnda, Appar, Sundarar and Manickavasagar. The contributions of these four saivaites are immemorable and unmeasurable.
The stone images of 63 Nayanmas are placed in the outer prakaram of any Lord Shiva Temple.
Among the Nayanmars, only a few were well versed with knowledge about religious text. The others were devout bhaktas and they eked out their livelihood with occupations they were comfortable with. Form the lives of the Nayanmars, one can understand that true devotion is the only requisite to reach the feet of the Almighty.
