Vayilar

Vayilar (literally "The Voiceless One"), He is said to worshipped the god Shiva, his patron, by his Mind and built a grand temple for him in his mind.

Hagiographical account

A brief account of Vayilar's life is described in the Periya Puranam by Sekkizhar (12th century), which is a hagiography of the 63 Nayanars. Vayilar is one of the six Nayanars from Tondai Nadu and is described to date from the Pallava era.

Vayilar was born and lived his life in Mylapore (Mayilai), presently a neighbourhood in the city of Chennai, India. He was a Vellalar, a caste of agricultural land owners. He was a Shaiva, a devotee of the god Shiva. Considering his name, he is described to be dumb.

Remembrance

One of the most prominent Nayanars, Sundarar (8th century) mentions Vayilar in hymn to various Nayanar saints.

A shrine is dedicated to Vayilar in the Kapaleeshwarar Temple in his home town of Mylapore.

Vayilar is worshipped in the Tamil month of Markazi, when the moon enters the Revati nakshatra (lunar mansion). He 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.