Biography of Saint Nandnaar


Nandnaar was the greatest devotee of Lord Natraja of Chidambaram. He hailed from the most backward class and made his living by tenner skins and hides used for temple instruments.

Nandnaar was born in an untouchable family in a village called Merkatt-adhanur near Kollidam River in Thanjavur district in Tamil Nadu. Since he was an untouchable, he was barred from entering into the temple in the village, he used to keep away from the temple precincts. Although away from the temple, he used to sing devotional songs and dance in ecstasy.

Nandnaar's life represents a saga of a low-born achieving the highest form of excellence and ultimate integration with god-head and thereby making a mockery of the artificial barriers and prejudices based on religion, caste and creed. He expounded the message of equality, love and piety among the untouchables and other castes. It is a pity that there is no written record or epigraphic and other source material to give details about Nandnaar's travel, sermons and songs.