Nandhidevar
Nandhidevar (नन्दिदेवर्), also written Nandi Devar or Nandeesvara, is counted in Tamil Siddha lists among the oldest of the Siddhars. Tamil tradition identifies him with Nandi, the bull-mounted gateway guardian of Shiva, revered as an early Siddha master and first in many enumerations of the eighteen Siddhars.
Tradition
Siddhar chronology is traditional rather than historical, and Nandhidevar’s figure belongs to mythology as much as to Siddha lore. As Nandi, he is known throughout Shaivism as the devoted attendant of Shiva and the doorkeeper of his shrine. Siddha tradition presents him as a recipient of Shiva’s own teaching, transmitting yoga and gnana to the later Siddha lineages; Puranic accounts similarly describe Nandikeshvara as a teacher of dance and spiritual discipline. Works on yoga and gnana circulate in the Siddha corpus under his name, including texts attributed to Nandi Devar, though such attributions reflect lineage practice rather than documented authorship.
Teachings/Contributions
The material attributed to Nandhidevar concerns yogic discipline, devotion, and the perfection of the body through Shiva’s grace. In Siddha writings he is imagined as the first in the chain of transmission, the master who received knowledge directly from Shiva and passed it to human lineage holders.
Legacy
Nandhidevar heads many enumerations of the eighteen Siddhars, and every Shaiva shrine honors him in his aspect as Nandi, seated facing the sanctum. His image remains the most widespread Siddha-associated figure in Tamil temple architecture.
Verification notes
- The identification of the Siddha master with Nandi of Shiva’s gateway is traditional, not historical.
- Attributed works are corpus texts of uncertain date and authorship.
- Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).