Adipatthar or Adhipattha Nayanar was a fisherman born in Nulaipadi near Nagapattinam. He is one of the 63 Nayanmars. He was a sincere devotee of Lord Shiva and lived in the Chola kingdom - present day Naagapattinam (referred in sangam literature as Naagai) by the seashore.
Adipatha Nayanar was the head of
his group of people called Baradhavar. The main source of income and food for
them was fish gotten from the sea. As a way of expressing love
to God Siva, Adipatthar would toss the very first fish he earned every day back
into the sea, dedicating the fish to Lord Shiva. He would practice this
ritual even if he got just one fish on a day, thereby deciding to stay hungry
the entire night. Lord Shiva decided to show his greatness to the world.
The dancing God of golden court decided to test his love and patience. Therefore, Adipatthar was able to catch only one fish for many consecutive days. Even then, the ardent devotee left them back to sea happily saying, "Let this be to Lord Shiva who is our father and Mother". In course of time, due to this act, he became very poor and was starving to death.
Days passed in the same way and one
day his clan saw a miracle. They got a big golden fish filled with nine different
types of gems in their net. Adipatthar admired the fish and told
"This wonderful fish shines like the Sun. It is the first one we got today,
and we are blessed to give it back to Shiva". He then left it back to the
sea. Having felt his sincere love, Lord Shiva blessed Adipatthar and his people
saying "Let you and your people be with me forever". Adipatthar thus
attained the glorious place near God Himself. This story is given by Sundarar
and also recorded in Periyapuram, the
history of 63 Nayanmars written by Sekkizhar.
Adhipatha Nayanar was a great Nayanar who never thinks about himself and his family, but only thought about Lord Shiva and praised his glories.
Birth Star: Aayilayam
Birth Month: Aavani
Birth Place: Thiru Naagai [Nagapattinam]
Thiru Adhipatha Nayanar story in Naagai Kaayarogana Swami temple.
Honoring Adipatha Nayanar, residents of Nambiyar Village, every year, celebrate the age old “Golden Fish Festival” with great zest and pride. Processions are held by carrying the silver and gold coloured fish throughout the village. As a part of celebrations, on a packed motorised boat, temple priests, fishermen and village representatives dipped the fish idols into the sea off the coast of Nagapattinam. Adipatha Nayanar idol is also held high on the boat [depicting the scene of Adipatha Nayanar giving away the rich fish to lord shiva].
Precious fish dedicated to lord shiva and Godess Parvathi
புனையும்
விரிகொன்றைக் கடவுள் புனல்பாய
நனையும்
சடைமேலோர் நகுவெண் தலைசூடி
வினையில்
லடியார்கள் விதியால் வழிபட்டுக்
கனையும்
கடல்நாகைக் காரோ ணத்தானே.
-
Thiruganasambandhar
Read more about Nayanmars here...
தென்னாடுடைய சிவனே போற்றி!
எந்நாட்டவர்க்கும் இறைவா போற்றி!
நற்றவா உன்னை நான் மறக்கினும், சொல்லும் நா நமச்சிவாயவே.
Even if I were to forget you, my
tongue would always utter your name, Namashivaaya.
OM NAMAH SHIVAYA
THIRUCHITRAMBALAM
Have a great day and keep reading…
until then I am signing off...
