Sundaramurthi Nayanar was born in Thiru Navalur , in an atmosphere full of spiritual vibrations and Saivism, during 8th century. He was a great devotee of Lord Siva. He is one of the Tamil Samaya Acharyas (four Tamil religious Teachers). Sundaramurthi Nayanar, with a friend like attitude (Sakhya Bhava)   sang the glories of Lord Siva, called Thevaram, at all the sacred places that he visited.

Tiru Neelakanta Nayanar lived in Chidambaram. A potter by caste and profession and had great regard and love for Lord Shiva (His Neelakanta aspect)  and His devotees. He lead an ideal household life and achieved the ultimate state with his intense devotion.

Iyarpahaiar, a Visya by caste,  was a native of Kaveripoompattinam. To him Siva Bhaktas were the living manifestations of Lord Siva. Charity was ingrained in him. It was his practice to invite Siva Bhaktas to his house, worship them with faith and devotion and give them all they wanted. He had taken a vow never to say no to what a Siva Bhakta wanted. Thru his life, Lord revealed the truth that unquestioning devotion does not result in the violation of the Dharma.

Marnar, a farmer by profession from Ilayankudi village, later transformed in into Ilayankudi Mara Nayanar , through his great  devotion of Lord Siva and His devotees. He took the greatest pleasure in serving them. Lord Shiva bestowed him with unique darshan (vision or experience)   - from high in sky, Lord Siva and Mother Parvathy showered Their blessing on him and his wife. He reached the ultimate state with his devotion to Shiva.

Maiporul Nayanar (meaning 'one for whom God was the sole reality') was a pious, chivalrous and brave  king   and an ardent devote of Shiva and all His devotees. There was peace and plenty in his kingdom. People worshipped him as the living God. He gave his word that any of Lord Shiva's devotees will be welcomed and taken care of, in his kingdom. Neighboring king , who dressed up as Shiva bhakta (devotee) when plotted against him and stabbed him, he gave him protection and sent him back. This pious act, in face of death made him attain Shiva's consciousness.

A Vellala by caste and a staunch devotee of Lord Siva, Viralminda Nayanar was born in Sengunru, a hilly place.  Through grace of Shiva, he was free from ego. He had equal vision. He served His devotees and attained purity of mind. To him worship of Siva Bhaktas was equal, if not even superior to the worship of Lord Siva Himself. He felt that no one could get Siva's grace without first worshipping Siva Bhaktas. Before worshipping the Lord at the temples, he used to worship the Siva Bhaktas who might be found there.

Amaraneedi Nayanar was a Vaisya by caste and was an ardent Siva Bhakta.He belonged to Pazhaiyaarai in the Chola Kingdom. He used to run an import export business in gold, diamonds, silks and cotton goods. . He earned money honestly and became rich. Though he was engaged in worldly activities, his mind was fixed on Lord Siva. He would invite Siva Bhaktas to his house and worship them. He reached the ultimate knowledge and merged into eternal bliss with his devotional attitude.

Eripatha Nayanar was born in Karuvur city that is situated on the bank of the river Ambiravatiin the Chola Kingdom. On both the banks of this river saints and sages were doing Tapas (penance) and were radiating spiritual vibrations. Eripatha Nayanar was daily worshipping Lord Pasupatheesvarar with great faith and devotion. Please with his devotion, he was showered with state of ultimate bliss by Shiva.

A Shanar (toddy tapper), Enadinatha Nayanar was born in Eyinanur in Chola Kingdom. It was situated to the south-east of Kumbakonam on the bank of the river Arisol. Enadinathar was an ardent devotee of Lord Siva. Like Maiporul Nayanar, however, he was devoted even to the external marks of Siva Bhakti. To Enadiar, the three white lines of Vibhuti or sacred ash on one's forehead were sufficient to evoke his own reverence. He was challenged to a duel by a jealous man, who just to kill Enadinatha, applied Vibhuti marks on his own forehead. Seeing the sacred marks on the opponents , Enadinatha didn't attack and was slain by the armed opponent. Lord Siva was highly pleased with this self-sacrificing devotion that Enadinathar had for the ashes. He appeared before Enadinathar as he fell, and took him to His Abode.

Tinnar was born to the king of hunters at Uduppur in Pottapi Nadu and himself was a great archer.  According to Tiru Kalahasthi Puranam, he was Arjuna in previous life. Though hunter by profession, Tinnanar was full of love and would not kill young ones, females, diseased animals, etc. Spiritually, he had already killed the animals within himself, viz., lust, anger, greed, vanity, etc.   On Kalahasti hill, one day he saw Lord Shiva in a Shiva Lingam and felt supreme love surging in his heart. He offered his both eyes, when the two eyes on the Shiva Lingam were oozing   blood. Lord Siva caught hold of his hand and said: 'My dear child, Kannappa! Stop plucking your eye.' The Lord repeated the word Kannappa thrice. Kannappar was thrice blessed. Tinnanar became Kannappar, because he gave his own eye to the Lord.

Kungiliya Kalaya Nayanar was a Brahmin by caste and was born in Tirukadavur in the Chola kingdom.  He got the name because he was always holding a pot (an incense pot) in his hand. He considered burning of incense before the Lord was the best service to Him. Lord Siva was highly pleased with the Nayanar's intense devotion and his wonderful service. Lord Shiva put his devotion   to test in many instances, so that the true glory of his supreme devotion to the Lord may be understood by all. He finally bestowed him with eternal bliss.

Manakanchara  was Vellala by caste and Senathipathi (war general) by profession, was born in Kancharur   in Chola kingdom. People of the community had the highest regard for him. He was a contemporary of Sundaramurthi Nayanar. To him adoration of Siva Bhaktas was the highest form of worship of the Lord. He would read their minds from their look, and would serve them without their asking.

A rich Vellala by name Thayanar used to lived in in Kannamangalam in the Chola kingdom a . He was leading the life of an ideal Grihastha (householder) . Thayanar was a great devotee of Lord Siva. His devotion took the form of a daily offering to the Lord of food prepared with red rice, a sauce made of red herb, and mango pickle. He considered this as an act of great devotion to the Lord. The Lord was highly pleased with Thayanar's devotion and blessed him with ultimate state of consciousness.

Anayar a cowherd by profession, was born in Tirumangalam . He was a staunch devotee of the Lord Shiva. He was devoted to the Bhasma, and also to Siva Bhaktas, irrespective of their caste. His devotion to the Lord took the form of playing on his flute the holy Panchakshara Mantra of Siva. He aspired to realise the Lord, through this Mantra. The Lord was immensely pleased with Ayanar's sincere devotion. The sweetness of the music of the flute and the effect of the Panchakshara Mantra both melted His heart. He appeared before Nayanar, with Mother Parvathi, blessed him and took him to Kailas.

Murthi Nayanar  was born in Madura in Pandya kingdom. A Vaisya by caste, he was a great devotee of Lord Siva. Daily he used to offer sandalwood paste to the Lord. He was bestowed with Lord Shiva's darshan (vision/experience) when one day he used his own elbow as sandal paste when he didn't get any to perform puja with. By Lord's grace, he became ruler of that place, and at the end of his life, attained Shiva's   consciousness.

Muruga Nayanar was born in Tirupukalur, a place for many other Nayanars also. Daily he would wake up well before sunrise, take bath, wear the sacred ash on his forehead, do his Nitya Karmas, and go to the garden with a basket. Repeating the Panchakshara(holy chant) he would collect flowers, and as mentioned in the Siva Agamas, make colourful garlands and offer to the Lord. He got merged in the Divine Effulgence of the Lord finally.

Rudra Pasupathi Nayanar was a great devotee of Lord Siva and he resorted to this Sadhana (penance). He used to recite Sri Rudram standing in water, neck deep and was, therefore, blessed by the Lord with Moksha or the ultimate state of bliss.

Nandanar was a Paraiah (untouchable) by caste. He was born in Adanoor in the Chola kingdom. He was an embodiment of humility and devotion. Lord Siva was his sole refuge. He would often visit the holy places of pilgrimage, and supply leather drums and such other musical instruments for the temples. When he went near the temples, he always remained outside and worshipped the Lord mentally. He reached the ultimate state of bliss with his devotion to Lord Shiva.

Tiruthondar was born in Thondamandalam. He was a washerman. He was a staunch devotee of Lord Siva. He served Siva Bhaktas, understanding their need by watching for the signs on their face, and hence he had earned the name Tiru Kurippu Thonda Nayanar. His service consisted mainly of washing the clothes of Siva Bhaktas. Lord Siva wanted to bless this devotee: and, as usual, it had to be preceded by a severe test and after passing all the tests, bestowed him with His consciousness!

Vichara Sarman (who was later known as Chandesvara Nayanar) was born in Tiruchaijnanallur, which was famous for Vedic recitations, Tapas, and Siva Bhakti. He had attained Saroopya Mukthi (liberation, with the attainment of the form of the Lord). The Lord said: ' You worshipped Me with food, clothes and flower garlands. In the same manner, you will also be worshipped.

Appar or Tiru Navukkarasar flourished in the 7th century A. D. He is one of the four Saiva Samaya Acharyas (Saivite spiritual teachers). Tiru-Navukkarasar Naynar embrassed Jainism at earlier stages of his life. Later he realised he made a mistake and felt at the feet of the Lord and worshipped him. He worshipped with intense devotion. "Oh Lord, I have insulted You and Your religion, I have commited Once on the bank of Godavari, I argued with the saints and established the superiority of Jainism. For all this evil, Lord Yama himself has come to me in the form of this excruciating pain. Oh Lord, You are my sole prop and refuge. Save me. I will ever keep Your Lotus Feet in my heart.' When he concluded the song, the pain disappeared. A celestial voice said: 'From now on you will be known as Tiru Navukkarasar, 'Lord of Speech'. Your glory will spread everywhere.' Thus Lord Siva's grace restored his faith in Saivism.

In devotion to Siva Bhaktas, Kulacchirai Nayanar excelled. He was born in Manamerkudi, in the Pandyan kingdom Nayanar was an able soldier and administrator. Yet, his mind was ever absorbed in the Lord. To him adoration of Siva Bhaktas was equal to adoration of Lord Siva Himself. He saw no difference between Siva Bhaktas and Siva. He reached the ultimate state of bliss with his intense devotion to Lord Shiva.

Perumizhalai Kurumba Nayanar excelled in Guru Bhakti(Devotion to his Master). He was an ardent devotee of Lord Siva and Siva Bhaktas, too. He heard of Sundaramurthi Nayanar's greatness and mentally accepted him as his Guru. To him, Sundarar was the sole refuge. He adored the Guru in thought, word and deed. By the Guru's grace, he attained all the Siddhis. He was immersed in Siva Bhakti and Guru Bhakti and attained the state of eternal bliss with this attitude.

Punithavathiar as Karaikal Ammaiyar was called, was born in a Vaisya family.She was married to Paramadattan, a wealthy Vaisya. Both of them were leading an ideal householder's life. Her Husband Paramadattan very soon realised his wife's powerful devotion to Lord Shiva and felt He that it was a great sin to live with her as her husband.He married another girl and lived seperately. Later when she approached him, he revealed that he regarded her, not as his wife, but as a Goddess.she went on a pilgrimage to the holy Kailasa. Feeling that it would be a great sin to place her foot on those sacred grounds, she made the last part of the journey on her head. Lord Siva granted the many boons to her   and asked her to proceed to Tiruvalangadu to witness His dance.She went to that place and spent her life singing the praise of Lord Siva.