Somasi Mara Nayanar

Somasi Mara Nayanar, also known as Somasi Maranar, Somasi Marar, Somasimarar and Somasira Nayanar, is a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the thirty-third in the list of 63 Nayanars. He is also called Marar, Maran and Mara Nayanar, names he shares with Ilayankudi Mara Nayanar. The two Nayanars are generally differentiated by the prefixes "Somasi" and "Ilayankudi". He was a contemporary and devotee of Sundarar (7th century CE).

Hagiographical account The life of Somasi Mara Nayanar is described in the Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar (12th century), which is a hagiography of the 63 Nayanars. He is regarded as a historical figure, who was a contemporary of one of the most prominent Nayanars, Sundarar and is dated to the 7th century. Somasi Mara Nayanar challenged the rigid caste rules of that era. He not only intermingled with non-Brahmins, which was taboo in that era, but also served them.

Remembrance The images of the Nayanars are found in many Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu.

Somasi Mara Nayanar is depicted with a shaven head and with folded hands (see Anjali mudra).

A holy day in his honour is observed on the Vaikasi Ayilya day The Vaikasi Soma Yaga festival of Sri Mahakalanathar temple is celebrated the Vaikasi Ayilya day with ritual re-enactment of Somasi Mara Nayanar's soma-yajna (soma yaga).

Somasi Mara Nayanar receives collective worship as part of the 63 Nayanars. Their icons and brief accounts of his deeds are found in many Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu. Their images are taken out in procession in festivals.