Muniandi

The word Muniandi is a combination of two words, Muni and Andi. The word Andi could be defined in two ways. One referring to slave of God and the other ruling (as in ruler). The second explanation could be derived from the word Aandavar which literally means he who rules. The reason for this explanation is the word Andi being used for other Gods in the Tamil Hindu pantheon.
Please refer to the following examples:
Brahma - Virumandi
Vishnu - Mayandi
Siva - Peyandi
Murugan - Malayandi
As such, the word Muniandi could refer to a slave Muni or he who rules in the form of Muni. Munis like Vaal Muni are also known as Vaal Muni Andavar and Vaal Muniswaran.
There are many forms of Muni. Here are the list of 7 Munis known as Saptha Muni (7 Muni) in one of the ancient temples for Pachaiamman:
Muttaiyar Muni
Chinna Muttaiyar Muni
Raya Muni alias Nondi Muni
Jada Muni
Poo Muni
Sem Muni
Vaal Muni
Kottai Muni is the presiding deity of the annual Jallikattu bullfight in Alangganallur, Tamil Nadu.
Paandi Muni, the guardian of the North Gopuram (Tower) of the Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple is believed by some to be the chief of the Munis. According to one legend, he was Emperor Neduncheliyan of Pandyan Kingdom.
The other known Munis are Raja Muni, Lada Muni, Karu Muni, Agni Muni, Veera Muni, Rettai Muni, Kaavu Muni and Yellai Muni.
There is also another concept of Nava Muni (9 Muni) instead of 7.
There are many theories on the origins of these Munis. There are also mythological stories passed down orally for generations. According to one of the oldest oral tradition, the Munis were created to protect Goddess Sakthi in the form of Go ddess Pachaiamman against 7 Arakar Veerars (Demonic Warriors - Asuras). Various Pachaiamman temples in Tamil Nadu, India has statues for these Munis.
These are the names of the 7 Arakar Veerars:
Agni Veeran
Anithanthira Veeran
Thakkapathala Veeran
Thanathanthiran Veeran
Ilakana Veeran
Elilkana Veeran
Ugra Veeran
During the