Manikkavachakar
Historical background
One of the four most important Shaiva saints (9th cent.). He became an important figure at the Pandya court in Madurai but after a series of dramatic events he renounced the world and wandered through South India and further afield singing the praises of Shiva.
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row: Manikkavachakar and his retinue travel to Tirupperunturai to buy the horses; Bottom row (left): Manikkavachakar at the feet of a guru; (right): A temple under construction.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, southernmost bay
Date: 17th century
Description: (Right) Shiva, in the guise of a guru, sits under a tree surrounded by his disciples, among them Manikkavachakar holding in his hands a stylus and palm-leaves. (Left): A messenger reports these events to Arimarttana Pandya.
Location: Tamil NaduTemple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, southernmost bay
Date: 17th century
Description: (Left) Messengers at the court of the Pandya king; (Right): When the king’s men arrive to seize Manikkavachakar, Shiva tells him that the horses have yet to reach and that he will take them to Madurai. He then gives him precious gems and other presents for the king.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, southernmost bay
Date: 17th century
Description: (From right) Manikkavachakar and two men on the way to Madurai; Once there, Manikkavachakar hands over the gems to Arimarttana Pandya.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, southernmost bay
Date: 17th century
Description: Left, disappeared; Right: Arimarttana Pandya orders to punish Manikkavachakar: his hands are tied to his feet and a haevy stone is placed on his back.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, southernmost bay
Date: 17th century
Description: The new horses arrive in Madurai. The king and the merchant perform the ‘exchange of ropes’, thus finalising the transaction.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, southernmost bay
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row: The horses become jackals and kill all the animals of Madurai; Bottom row: Arimarttana Pandya orders to torture Manikkavachakar. His hands are tied to his feet and he carries on his back a load of stones.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shride; open mandapa, southernmost bay
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row (from right): Manikkavachakar is freed, Arimarttana Pandya and his ministers want him to
resume his post at court. He refuses. Bottom row; He takes leave of the king and joins the ascetics at Chidambaram.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, southernmost bay
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row (left, damaged) Manikkavachakar worships the linga; (right) A sacred fire appears in the water of a tank and 999 chosen devotees of Shiva jump into it and join their god. Bottom register (damaged): Manikkavachakar and others worship Shiva.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, southernmost bay
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row: Manikkavachakar worships the three lingas at Chidambaram: Mulasthanam, Anantishvara, and Pulishvara. Bottom row: Manikkavachakar pays homage to Nataraja and Shivakami; He travels overseas to Lanka.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, southernmost bay
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row: In Lanka Manikkavachakar engages into a religious dispute with the Buddhists. Bottom row: The Shaivas and the Buddhists engaged in discussion; The Buddhists sail to Chidambaram.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple cpmplex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, southernmost bay
Date: 17th century
Description: Top row (damaged): The religious dispute between the Shaivas and the Buddhists; Bottom row, illegible.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Nataraja Temple complex;Chidambaram
Positioning: Shivakamasundari shrine; open mandapa, southernmost bay
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