Nakkeerar lived in the 9th century AD during the Sangam period. His devotion for Lord shiva and Murugan are depicted in ThiruviLaiyAdal purANam and are enacted as a part of the Meenakshi Sundareswarer Temple festival celebrations at Madurai. As related in Tiruvilaiyadal Puranam, the Pandiyan king was strolling in the royal garden. As he smells the flowers, he wondered whether women had naturally fragrant hair or whether the fragrance came from the flowers. He announces a prize of 1000 gold coins for anyone who could resolve his doubt. A poor poet named Tharumi prays to Lord Shiva to make him get the reward. The Lord gives him a poem and asks him to take it to the King. கொங்குதேர் வாழ்க்கை அஞ்சிறைத் தும்பி காமம் செப்பாது கண்டது மொழிமோ பயிலியது கெழீஇய நட்பின் மயிலியல் செறியெயிற் றரிவை கூந்தலின் நறியவும் உளவோ நீயறியும் பூவே.