[2] Sakkiya is one of the six Nayanars from the region of Tondai Nadu and lived around the time the Pallava dynasty ruled the area.

He gave up worldly life and studied in pursuit of the Truth and attain moksha (emancipation).

So, he embraced Shaivism, however, he did not give up the grab of a Buddhist monk and continued to dress in saffron garments as he was convinced that external appearances did not matter for self-realization.

However, he remembered his daily duty and unmindful of hunger, rushed to the temple and threw a pebble at the lingam.

[2][4] One of the most prominent Nayanars, Appar Tirunavukkarasar (7th century) alludes Sakkiya in a hymn to Shiva where deeds of various saints are recalled.

The hymn says how Shiva made Sakkiya worship Him by throwing a stone before having his kanji (porridge) and abandon the eating of rice.