MURUGA NAYANAR

Muruga Nayanar was born in Tirupugalur in Nagapattinam which is famous for the Angneeshwarar Temple. Three other popular temples – Bhuteshwar Temple, Vardhamaneshwarar temple, Pavisheshwarar Temples are also present within this temple premises.

Muruga Nayanar was a Brahmin who regularly visited the Vardhmaneshwarar temple where, the deity is worshipped six times in a day. During each worship, the deity is offered a fresh garland. Muruga Nayanar gathered flowers of four different types from the Nandavanam (garden of flowers) and with these four varieties, he would make six types of garland, sitting at the temple premises. He offered these garlands for all the six worships of the Lord. This was an everyday ritual and the Nayanar considered this to be the greatest service he could offer to his beloved Lord! Later, he would diligently repeat the Panchakshara Mantra.

Muruga Nayanar had built a Mutt in this village where great Nayanmars like Thirugnana Sambandar, Appar, Tiru Kurippu Thonda Nayanar, Siru Thondar, Thiru Neela Nakkar had stayed. During one of his stays, Thirugnana Sambandar was pleased with Muruga Nayanar’s service of making and offering garlands. This led him to compose a Pathigam when he visited Vardamaneshwarar temple premises. In that pathigam, he made a mention of Muruganar’s great service (offering garlands to the Lord).

Muruga Nayanar had the blessing to attend the wedding of Thirugnana Sambandar that took place in Tirupugalur. During this occasion, a divine Jyoti(light) was seen and Sambandar and his family merged into this. Along with them, Muruga Nayanar also merged.

Though Muruga Nayanar had the knowledge of the Vedas and was eligible to take up the role of the Chief priest of the temple, he chose to offer garlands to the Lord. He believed that this service was equivalent to the service of the Chief priest.

References:
shaivam.org
http://www.dlshq.org/download/nayanar.htm