The story of saiva saints/49. GANAMPULLA NAYANAR
49. GANAMPULLA NAYANAR
He was a wealthy person in a place called Irukkuvelur on the banks of North Vellaru. He used to go to the temple called Thiruppulichchuram (now known as Ilamai Akkinar Temple) at Chithambaram and light lamps with devotion. Alas! his riches dwindled. Hence he gathered a kind of grass called “Ganampul”, sold it and with the sale proceeds he bought ghee to light the lamps. Hence he was called Ganampullar. One day the grass remained unsold. He burnt the grass to illuminate the temple. As the grass was insufficient, he used his hair for this purpose. Lord Siva bestowed grace on him and got him to Siva loka (Siva's abode).