Somasi Mara Nayanar

He was born in Thiruvambar (also known as Ambur, Ambar, Tiruvambur), currently known as Ambal, Nagapattinam district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

[3] The Periya Puranam narrates that Maran was a great devotee of the god Shiva, the patron of Shaivism.

[4] Another episode from the life of Somasi Mara Nayanar is told in legends and temple lore, but not in the Periya Puranam.

The legend is practically associated with the Sri Mahakalanathar temple, dedicated to Shiva, in the Nayanar's home-town Thirumakalam.

[3][5] At Sundarar's behest, Shiva promised to attend the sacrifice in the Tamil month of Vaikasi, when the moon crossed into the Ayilya nakshatra (lunar mansion).

Shiva arrived with his wife Parvati and sons Ganesha and Kartikeya in the disguise of an outcaste (Dalit) or tribal family.

After the sacrifice, Shiva appeared with Parvati in his true form and blessed Somasi Mara Nayanar, according him the status of a saint.

[3][5] Somasi Mara Nayanar is depicted with a shaven head and with folded hands (see Anjali mudra).

Somasi Mara was a devotee of Sundarar.
The images of the Nayanars are found in many Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu.