HI Friends, today we are back to Darasuram for another interesting episode from Periapuranam exquisitely sculpted in the panels there. Its a very interesting legend, which showcases the power of devotion. Its the story of Naminandhi Nayanar. Take a look at the panel location and size!!

Born in Perur, he was devoted to the Lord Tyagarajar of Tiruvarur. One day, he visited the temple and stayed back for a long time and the time was well past sunset. Desirous to light up the temple lamps, he went into a neighboring house and sought some oil. The inhabitants of the house belonged to another faith and they refused to lend him the oil. Not stopping at that they ridiculed him, saying that Shiva being the lord who dances with fire, why does he need oil to light the lamp, even water would suffice…

Hearing this, the pious devotee felt very sad and went back to the temple and reflected on his situation. At that moment he heard a heavenly voice asking him to light the lamps with water from the temple’s lotus pond. He did so and the lamps of the temple glowed the brightest. Such was the power of his devotion.

Now The sculpture. Notice the two parts of the act depicted.

The first one is he drawing water from the pond ( check the detailing – the fish, the flowers and even a crane ! remember the size of this panel is no bigger than the palm of your hand) and the second part is he filling the lamps with the water.

But then is there something else that was used to light a lamp by another naynaar, lets see that is a future post.

Images courtesy: PSVP members Saathmeeka and Satheesh