The Story of Kanampulla Nayanar

Kanampulla Nayanar was born into a wealthy family in the holy town of Irukku Velur. He believed that true wealth lay in devotion to Lord Shiva, and he used his vast riches to serve the god by illuminating temples with lamps. He would decorate the shrines with beautiful lamps and sing the praises of the Lord.

His devotion eventually led him to the city of Chidambaram, where he continued his service. Over time, his wealth diminished, but his resolve to serve never did. He sold his household belongings one by one to buy ghee for the temple lamps. When he had nothing left to sell, he refused to beg and instead began to earn a living by cutting and selling a type of straw called "kanampul." He used all the money he earned from this hard labor to continue his service.

One day, he couldn't sell his straw and was left with no money for ghee. Unwilling to let the lamps go unlit, he decided to use the straws he had collected as fuel. As the last of the straws burned, he realized he still needed more light to complete his service. In a final, desperate act of devotion, he began to burn his own long hair, using it as a wick for the lamps.

Shiva, moved by this ultimate act of self-sacrifice, appeared and blessed Kanampulla Nayanar. He was granted a place at the Lord's feet, proving that an unwavering heart is the greatest offering of all.