[7] Manikkavacakar is said to have been born in Vadhavoor (known today as Thiruvathavur, near Melur seven miles from Madurai in modern day Tamilnadu state in South India).

A poetic and elaborate hagiography of Manikkavacakar and his works was written in the 16th century and is called Tiruvilayadal puranam, meaning "An account of divine deeds".

He was conferred the title "Thennavan bhramarayan" by the Pandyan king[8] and had once entrusted him with a large amount of money to purchase horses for his cavalry.

[9] King Varaguna also was preached with knowledge of reality and blessed with salvation after Shiva made him realize his small worldly mistake.

Several verses of Tiruvasagam including the accho patikam after singing which he attained mukti at Thillai Natarajar's feet are also engraved in the walls of the chidambaram temple.

Throughout his work he discusses how important it is to forego attachments and cultivate dispassionate, devoted, sincere and simple hearted love to lord Shiva in order to attain his beatitude and also that the five letters of na ma si va ya alone give one mukti.

[13] Manikkavacakar visited various temples in Thanjavur, North Arcot, Chengalpattu, Madras, Tirunelveli and Madurai districts and revered the deities.

A Chola bronze of Manikkavacakar with 57 cm (22 in) in standing posture dated to about 12th century was found in Velankanni in Nagapattinam district.

Another bronze idol of Manikkavacakar with a height of 64 cm (25 in) in standing posture dated to about 1150 was found in Tirundalur in Nagapattinam district.