For the previous nine days the statue of Manikkavacakar has been taken from its place near the Siva Sannidhi Shrine, and brought out in procession around the Big Temple’s maha veedhis (four perimeter streets).
Manikkavacakar was a poet of the Hindu bhakti revival movement and his work forms one volume of the Tirumurai, the key religious text of Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta. His poems are a poetic expression of the joy of God-experience and the anguish of being separated from the Lord. This great saint aided the spiritual and religious revival of Hinduism and is revered as one of the four Samayak Kuravarkal (nalvars) of Shaivism who took birth in the world to show the path of elevating oneself to the Supreme Shiva.
For more information about his life go to this link here, and to read two of his more famous works with English translation and audio go to his poems: Thiruvammaanai (Exulting Bliss) and Thiruvepaavai.
On this the 10th day of his Festival and in conjunction with the Thiruvathira Festival, Lord Nataraja and the Goddess join Manikkavacakar in a procession around Arunachaleswarar Temple.
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| Lord Nataraja and the Goddess |
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| Gods coming from the 1000 Pillared Hall after worship |
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| Lord Nataraja |
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| The Goddess accompanying her Lord |
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| Saint Manikkavacakar |
