Saiva Kanmani - Karaikalammaiyar

Abstract

Saivism has contributed a great deal of literary works to the Tamil literature. The devotional hymns sung by the Devaram, Manivasaka Peruman and other Shiva Selvaras have compiled into twelve volumes. These alone contain over eighteen thousand songs. And there are thousands of songs sung by soloists. The 14 books of Saiva religious scriptures including Shiva Gnana Sidhyar continue to increase the collection of Saiva books. Since Shiva worship has flourished in Tamil Nadu since ancient times, such devotional experiences can be said to have flourished over time. Of the sixty-three Nayanmars, three were female writers. They are Karaikalammaiyar, Mangaiyarkarasiyar and Isainiyaniar. Among these three Karaikalammaiyar is honored to have worshiped Lord Shiva with Tamil Pa flowers. The glory of Karaikalammaiyar, who is a wonderful devotee of the Lord Shiva, and the devotional works she created and the literary traditions shown by her are explored in this article. Her most important devotional works are Arputha Thuruvanthaathi, Thiru Irattai Manimaalai and Thiruvalangkaatu Mooththa Thirupathikangal.