The Story of Kaliya Nayanar

In the town of Tiruvotriyur, a devout man named Kaliya Nayanar was born into a family of oil producers. His life's purpose was to serve Shiva by lighting lamps in and around the temple, a service he performed with great love and meticulous care. His heart was filled with a brilliant inner light, and he believed his duty was to ensure the temple was illuminated just as brightly.

Over time, Kaliya Nayanar's wealth diminished, but his resolve to serve the Lord never wavered. To continue his service, he took up manual labor for others in his profession, using his wages to buy oil for the lamps. When he could no longer find work, he sold all his property.

Eventually, he was left with nothing. One day, with no money for oil, he was filled with despair at the thought of the temple remaining dark. In a final, desperate act of devotion, he went inside the temple and decided to use his own blood as a substitute for oil. As he began to cut his throat, Shiva, moved by his extreme act of love, appeared with his consort, Parvati. The Lord caught his hands and instantly healed his wound.

Shiva, pleased with this unwavering devotion that transcended all material limitations, blessed Kaliya Nayanar with a place in his eternal home. Kaliya Nayanar's story is a powerful testament to the idea that true devotion is a light that can never be extinguished, even when faced with the most dire circumstances.