Annan Perumal Temple. Annan Koil, Thiruvellakulam, Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu.

15^th September 2019.

கண்ணார்கடல்போல் திருமேனிகாரியாய்!

நண்ணார்முனை வென்றிகொள்வார் மன்னுநாங்கூர்

திண்ணார்மதிள்சூழ் திருவெள்ளக்குளத்துள்

அண்ணா! அடியேனிடரைக்களைவாயே

திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார் – நாலாம்பத்து – ஏழாம் திருமொழி

This temple Annan Perumal temple is one of the 108 Divya Desa sthalam and 39^th sthalam of  108 Divya Desam in Chozha Nadu. The mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai Alwar.

Moolavar : Sri Annan Perumal  and Urchavar Srinivasa Perumal

Thayar : Sri Alarmel Mangai Nachiyar & Urchavar Padmavathi Thayar

Some of the important features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a Temple tank with neerazhi mandapa, Swetha pushkarani. Sri Vijaya Anjaneyar sannadhi is in front of the 3 tier Rajagopuram. The Sanctum Sanctorum complex consists of sanctum, antarala, arthamandapam and a muka mandapam. Dwajasthambam, balipedam and Garudalwar are in the muka mandapam. Moolavar Sri Annan Perumal is in Standing posture with Sridevi and Bhoodevi.  Urchavars Sri Srinivasa Perumal and Padmavathi Thayar also known ad Poovar Thirumagal. Alwars are in the mandapam.

In prakaram sannadhi for Sri Alarmel Mangai Thayar and Kumudha Valli Nachiyar.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple is small. The Sanctum sanctorum is on a Upanam, Padmabhandha adhisthanam. The Vimanam is called as Swetha Vimanam. 

HISTORY

Kumudhavalli Nachiyar belongs to this place. The Kaliyan or Kalikanti a Military commander, Chieftain and a robber turned Saint and Alwar Married Kumudhavalli Nachiyar and was called as Thirumangai Alwar or Thirumangai mannan. The Villager used to welcome Thirumangai Alwar from the beginning of the Village, whenever he used to Visit the Village with Coconut and send off will also be given during his departure.

It was believed that the temple was built by early Chozhas and maintained by the latter Chozhas. The mandapam was built during Vijayanagaras / Nayaks.

LEGEND:

Swethan was the son of King Thundu Maran, of Surya dynasty. Fearing early death, Thundumaran sought help of “Maruthuva Maharishi”, the son of Sun god. He directed Swethan to do dhyana and chant “Mrithyunjaya Manthiran”, under a Vilva tree on the banks of Swetha Pushkarani.  Lord Vishnu appeared before him and blessed him with long life.

This Diva Desam is also called as South Tirupati. The devotees who couldn’t go to Tirupati  can offer  to this Annan Perumal.  Since Annan Perumal saved the life of Swethan, Perumal is called as Varadhar. Since this temple's Perumal is this temple is elder than Tirupati Srinivasa Perumal, called as Annan Perumal.

This place Thiruvellakulam may be split as Thiru+Vellam+Kulam. Vellam and Kulam signifies water. Vellam can also be taken as Vellai ( white ), since Adhi Vishnu, Rama and Balarama are in white Colour, so  this place is called as Thiruvellakulam. 

     

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs  to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Temple website: http://sriannanperumal.org/Puranam.html

E-mail address : contact@sriannanperumal.org

Madhava Bhattar may be contacted on this land line +91 4364 266534 and mobile +91 9489856554 for poojas

The Temple may be contacted on the land line +91 4364 266566 and mobile number +91 9444013814 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

About 8 KM from Sirkazhi on Sirkazhi to Karaikal NH45A,  High way. After reaching 7 KM there is an arch on the left side and the temple is about 1 KM off the main road.

Nearest Railway station is Sirkazhi.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Yaali PraNaaLikai - யாளி ப்ரணாளிகை - with inscriptions.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

68/14. SATTAINATHAR TEMPLE, SIRKAZHI. ( SRI BRAHMAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE ) SIRKAZHI, NAGAPATTINAM DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU

14^th & 15^th September 2019. 

The visit to this Sirkazhi Sattainathar Temple was already covered under Paadal Petra Sthalangal dharshan. This second Visit was a part of Temples visit, in and around Sirkazhi on 14^th and 15^th of September 2019.  On 15^th morning I had the chance of visiting this temple, since this was not planned in our program. This is the 68^th Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 14^th sthalam on the north side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. Moovar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. The temple is in the heart of  Sirkazhi city.

Iraivan     : Sri Brahmapureeswarar, Sri Thoniappar, Sri Sattainathar.

Iraivi        : Sri Periyanayagi, Sri Thirunilai Nayagi.

Some of the important features of this temples are as follows.

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram, Balipedam, Nandhi and Dwajasthamba are in front of the muka mandapa. The Temple tank is after the Rajagopuram. This is an unique malai Koil with  3 tiers above moolavr, Thoniyappar – beautiful big sila roopam signifies Kailayam and 3^rd tier, Sattainathar- can be viewed through window.

There are Rajagopurams of 5 tiers on East, South and North. Ashta Bhairavar sannadhi is after the entrance of South Rajagopuram. In prakaram Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniyar, Sandikeswarar and 63 var.

Ambal is in a separate temple facing east and temple tank is in front. A 3 tier Rajagopuram with a mandapam is in front. In koshtam Shyamala Devi, Icha sakthi, Kiriya Sakthi, Gnana sakthi and Durgai. Sandikeswari is in the prakaram. The sanctum sanctorum is on Upapedam and padma bhandha adhisthanam with Vrutha Kumudam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was built during early Chozhas / Pallava Period. The temple has lot of inscriptions which includes  Kulothunga Chozha –III (ARE 124 of 1896; SII, V, no. 989) and Rajadhiraja-II. The temple was further expanded during Latter Chozhas Kulothunga-I, II, III and Vikrama Chozha. The inscriptions mainly speaks about donation of Lands, cattle for burning perpetual lamps, celebrations and poojas. As per the inscriptions Lord Shiva was called as Tirut-Tonipuram Udaiya Nayanar  

LEGEND:

This is the birth place of Thirugnanasambandar and he was fortunate to receive milk ( Ganappal ) from Ambal,  when he was a child. Gnanantha nayanar has done thiruthondu in this temple. Murugan, Kali, Brahma, Thirumal, Guru, Indran, Suryan, Chandran, Agni, Adhishesan, Raghu, Kethu and Viyasar worshiped Lord Shiva of this  temple.

The place Sirkazhi was called in different names via, Brahmapuram, Venupuram, Pukali, Venkudu, Thonipuram, Poonthurai, Sirapuram, Sambai, Kazhumalam.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs

CONTACT DETAILS :

Land line number is  04364 270235

HOW TO REACH :

Buses are available from different parts of  Tamil Nadu to this temple town

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 

 ( 5 Tier Rajagopuram )

 ( front Mandapam )

 ( Temple tank with temple view )

 ( Sudhai sirpam on the wall )

 ( Moolavar and Sattanathar vimanam )

                                               ( Moolavar and Sattainathar vimanam ) 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

69/15. THIRUKOLAKKA SAPTHAPUREESWARAR TEMPLE. THIRUKOLAKKA, NAGAPATTINAM DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

14^th & 15^th September 2019.

The visit to this Thirukolakka Sapathapureeswarar temple was already covered under Paadal Petra Sthalangals dharshan. This second Visit was a part of Temples visit, in and around Sirkazhi on 14^th and 15^th of September 2019. It was almost 20.00 hrs and the temple was about to close. The front arch with stucco images on both sides were constructed after my first visit. This temple is also called as “Osai kodutha Nayaki temple”. This is the 69^th Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 15^th temple on the north side of river Kaveri. This temple has got Thirugnanasambandar and Sundarar devara Pathikam. This temple is about a KM from Sirkazhi Sattainathar / Sri Thoniyappar Temple. 

Iraivan  : Sri Sapthapureeswarar, Sri Thiruthalamudayar, 

Sri Thiruthalapureeswarar.

Iraivi     : Sri Osainayagi, Sri Osaikodutha Nayagi, 

Sri Thonipranthambal.

Some of the important features of this temple are as follows.

The temple is facing west with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Balipedam and nandhi are in front of the muka mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala and arthamandapam.  Moolavar is little large. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dhakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Brahma, Vishnu Durgai ( Astabujam ), Iyappan, Suryan and Chandran. In arthamandapam Natarajar, Sri Thalapureeswarar  and Osai Nayagi.

In prakaram Sambandha Vinayagar, Somaskandar,  Sri Subramaniyar, Sri Mahalakshmi, Bhairavar, Sandikeswarar Suryan, Chandran, Nalvar, Shani Bhagwan and Shiva Lingas. Ambal in a separate Temple with separate entrance but with an interconnecting gate ( Main entrance is locked )

LEGEND :

Iraivan gave thalam to Thirugnanasambandar. There is a story that a dump boy was able to speak by grace of Shiva of this  temple, So his father denoted a golden thalam to this temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Land line number is 04364 274175

HOW TO REACH :

1.0 Km from Thoniappar / Sattainathar temple.

Local people used to call this temple as “Osai kodutha Nayaki temple”.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE :CLICK HERE

 ( Moolavar Vimanam with dhakshinamoorthy sannadhi )

 ( Ambal sannadhi Koshtam moortham  Kiriya sakthi )

 ( Corridor view )

( Dhakshinamoorthy with sanagatha munivars )

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

59/5. ACHALPURAM SHIVALOKATHYAGAR TEMPLE -THIRU NALLURPPERUMANAM, NAGAPATTINAM DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

14^th & 15^th September 2019.

This Achalpuram Shivalokathyagar Temple was already covered under Paadal Petra Sthalangal Dharshan. This second Visit was a part of Temples visit in and around Sirkazhi on 14^th and 15^th of September 2019. After Thillai Kali Amman dharshan on the way to Sirkazhi, we had diverted to Achalpuram. In Devara hymns this place was mentioned as Thiru Nallurperumanam.  Now this place is called as Achalpuram. This is the 59^th Devaram paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 5^th  sthalam  on the  northern side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Iraivi: Sri Shivalokathyagar, Sri Perumanamudaya Mahadevar.

Iraivi: Sri Venneertru Umainangai, Sri Swetha Vibhuthi Nayagi.

Some of the important features of this temple are......

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. Balipedam, Nandhi and Dwajasthambam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, arthamandapam and a muka mandapam. Moolavar thirumeni to be seen. In Koshtam Sri Vinayagar, Sri Dhakshinamurthy ( to see the beauty ), Sri Lingothbhavar, Sri Brahma,  and Sri Durgai. Stucco image of Thiruganasambandar with his wife entered in to Shiva jothi above entrance of  moolavar sannadhi.

In the prakaram Vinayagar, Subramaniyar, Ranavimosanar, Mahalakshmi, Bhairavar, Sattanathar, Suryan and Chandran, Sri Rina vimosanar. Also Moorthis  of Thiripura samharar, Chandrasekar, Sekizhar, Pickshadanar, Thiruneelakanda Yazhapanar, Madhanga soolamani, Neela nakkar, Muruga nayanar, Thiruganasambandar in the prakaram.

This is the place where Thiruganasambandar merged with Shiva jothi along with his wife Thothira Poornambigai and relatives and a separate sannadhi is in the prakaram.

Thirugnanasambandar Kalyana mandapam in which Thirugnanasambandar marriage festival  will be conducted every year. A separate temple for Sri Thirugnanasambandar and his wife Sri Sthothra Poornambigai in kalyana kolam is in front of Dwajasthambam.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS:

The temple was constructed during medieval Chozhas or Pallavas. Chozha period inscriptions are found on the walls of the 2^nd prakara. Lord Shiva is referred as Nallur Peruman.  The inscriptions belongs to Rajaraja-I, Vikrama Chozha, Kulothunga-III, Rajaraja-III and Maravarman sundara Pandyan. The Ambal temple was constructed in 1210AD.

The inscriptions mainly speaks about donations in terms of Land, Cattle given to this temple towards regular poojas, Neivedyam and burning of perpetual lamps, etc,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS :

Contact phone number 04364 278272

HOW TO REACH :

Town buses  from Chidambaram & Sirkazhi to Mahendrappalli passes through this Village.

8 KM from Kollidam on the left side after crossing the Railway track.

Nearest Railway station is Chidambaram.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE 

 ( Vinayagar Sannadhi )

 ( Ambal sannadhi )

 ( Dwarabalakis sudhai sirpangal )

 ( Thiruganasambandar's marriage  sudhai sirpam in the rajagopuram )

 ( Dhakshinamoorthy sudhai sirpam above Dhakshinamoorthy sannadhi )

( 5 Tier Rajagopuram )

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

THILLAI KALI AMMAN TEMPLE / THILLAI KALI TEMPLE, CHIDAMBARAM, CUDDALORE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

14^th & 15^th September 2019.

The visit to this temple was a part of Temples Visit in and around Sirkazhi on 14^th and 15^th September 2019. After the Dharshan of Sri Raghavendra, at the Raghavendra’s birth place temple, Bhuvanagiri on the way Sirkazhi,  visited this temple at Chidambaram. This temple is about 2 KM from Nataraja Temple.

Deity        : Sri Thillai Kali Amman

Some of the important features of this temple are…

The temple is facing west with a mandapam and Kali’s stucco image os on the parapet wall of the mandapam. Soolam with balipedam is in the mandapam. Vinayagar is on the left and  Karthikeyar ( Arumugam ) is on the right are in front of the Rajagopuram. A 3 tier Rajagopuram is at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum complex. 

The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum, antarala, arthamandapam and a muka mandapam.  Kali Amman is in the sanctum with four faces. In Koshtam Brahma Sworubini, Naga Vaishnava sworubini, Kadambavana Dhakshina Sworubini, Sri Veena Vidhyambigai.  In Prakaram sannadhi for Urchava Ammans, Veerabhathirar, Nagars, Bhairavar and Sandikeswarar.

In the mandapa on the left sannadhi for Veeraperumal ( A hero Stone Arikandam ), Navakanda statues and Kali with ferocious face ( Nisumbasoothini ). Fully covered with vasthra and kungum are sprinkled over the vasthiram. The Veera Perumal is a Hero Stone Arikandam or Navakandama. It was practice of soldiers offers their head to Kali, to get victory in the war or for the well being of the King. A Hero stone will be erected in memory of the heros in front of Kali.

ARCHITECTURE:

The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple pathabhandha adhisthana consists of Jagathi, Vrutha Kumuda, Yazhivari, Prastharam Gopuram and kalasam. In the prastharam, adhama padmam in the valabi and yazhivari on the prastharam. A single tier gopura type vimana with 5 kalasams is on the sanctum sanctorum. The main 3 tier rajagopuram is with 7 Kalasas.

LEGEND:

The sthalapurana story of Thiruvalangadu temple is applied to this temple also. As per the sthala purana, The argument of who is superior, between Lord Shiva and Parvati was resolved through a dance. It was agreed that whoever defeated should go to, outside limit of Chidambaram. Knowing well Lord Shiva performed the “Oorthuva Tandav”, which Parvati couldn’t perform due to modesty and shyness. So Parvati as kali went to the north side of the city Limit with anger. Kali was pacified by Brahma through chanting of Veda and praising her. Since Brahma pacified Kali, this Thillai Kali has 4 heads.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The presence of Kali as Nisumbasoothani with hero stones indicates that the temple might have existed during Pallava  or Chozha period as brick temples. As per the  12 inscriptions ( between 1229 – 1278AD) available, this temple was reconstructed  as stone temple by  Kadava King Kopperunchinga- I ( 1216-1242AD)  ( called themselves as the descendants of Pallavas or Latter Pallavas ). 

The inscriptions ( South Indian Inscriptions V-8, 706 to 717 ) speaks about reconstruction of this temple, donation of land, pooja articles like Turmeric, Kungumam, Oil and neivethyam offered to Kali. As per the inscriptions Kali was called as Pidari. The Inscription SI V-8,   717, speaks the donation of land measuring 50 kuzhi with periphery limits of the land.

The temple is under the control of Tamil Nadu HR & CE Department. Kumbhabhishekam was conducted in 1987 and 2007.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.30 Hrs with 4 kala poojas.

CONTACT DETAIL:
The temple may be contacted on land line 04144 - 230251 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The temple is about 1 KM from Chidambaram Natarajar Temple and 55 KM from District head quarters.

Lot of buses are available from various parts of Tamil Nadu.

Nearest Railway station is Chidambaram.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Amman Vimana back side

 Amman Vimana - view from south

 Bhairavar Sannadhi

 Thillai Kali Amman - with ferocious look

 Veera Perumal - A Navakanda ( Arikanda ) Hero Stone 

 Navakanda Hero stones

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

SRI SRI RAGHAVENDRA AVATHARASTHALA MRUTHIKA BRUNDAVAN ( SRI RAGHAVENDRA’S BIRTH PLACE TEMPLE ), BHUVANAGIRI IN CUDDALORE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

14^th and 15^th September 2019.

“Poojyaaya Raghavendraya satya Dharma Rathaayacha

Bhajataam Kalpa Vrukshaaya Namathaam Kaamadhenave”

The visit to Sri Sri Raghavendra’s Avatharasthala  was a part of Temples Visit in and around Sirkazhi on 14^th and 15^th September 2019. After visit to Vadalur Sutha Sanmarkka Sathya Gnana Sabai, had been to this Sri Sri Raghavendra’s avatharasthala. During my Jothir linga dharshan’s visit, had been to Mantralayam where Sri Raghavendra went in to Jeeva Samadhi. And now had the chance of visiting the his avatharasthala Temple. During our visit the temple was under balalayam. The present brick shrine, constructed in side a mandapa, planned to reconstruct with stone.

A brief history of Sri Raghavendra…. In 1595AD, Sri Raghavendra was born as Venkatanatha  in a small town Bhuvanagiri in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu to Timmanacharya and Gopikamba, a Kannada Brahmin Family of scholars & musicians, who are the followers of Madhva sect of Vishnava. His great grand father  Krishnabhattar was a tutor to Vijayanagara King Krishnadevaraya. After the fall of Vijayanagara empire, Timmanacharya with his family migrated to Kanchi. Venkatanatha took his formal education through his brother-in-law Lakshminarasinhacahrya. 

After his father’s demise he was subsequently got married to Saraswati Bhai in 1614 AD. After marriage they moved to Kumbakonam, where he studied Dwaita vedantha, grammer and literary works under the guru Sudhindra Tirtha, the erstwhile pontiff of Kumbakonam Mutt. After seeing Venkatanatha’s triumph  in debates and wanted him to become his successor. After the demise of Sudhindra Tirtha in 1623AD, Venkatanatha took as pontiff of Kumbakonam Mutt and was called as Raghavendra Tirtha. ( Saraswati Bhai wanted to see her husband Venkatanatha’s face before renunciation to Sanyasa. Since she couldn’t see, ends her life by jumping in to an abandoned well. Latter she was given moksha by Raghavendra Tirtha).

Sri Raghavendra traveled a lot, length and breadth of the Country, which includes Udupi, Kolhapur, Bijapur, etc. Latter he settled down at Mantralaya which was given as gift by the Governor of Adoni. He knows that he was the incarnation of Bhakta Prahlada and wanted to settled down where Prahlada offered yagnyas to Lord Rama during Dwapara yuga. When a fertile land was offered, Sri Raghavendra preferred to stay in a dry land around Mantralayam on the banks of river Tungabhadra.

After delivering his last speech Sri Raghavendra Swami, went in to dhyana, where he wants to go in to Samadhi in 1671AD. He asked his disciples  construct his Samadhi on all the sides and close the top when his  finger stop rolling the japamala beads. Before and after the Samadhi, Sri Raghavendra performed many miracles.

He was a saint, sidhar, Philosopher and a good musician also. His literary  works includes  Tantradipika is an interpretation of Brahma Sutra, Bhavadipa a commentary on Jayatirtha’s Tattva Prakasika Purva Mimamsa and Vyakarana  on Vyasatirtha’s Tatparya Chandrika, which runs up to 18000 stanzas, Commentaries on Upanishads first three chapters of Rig veda & Bhagvad Gita and commentary on Jaimini Sutras called Bhatta Sangraha.

REQUEST:

Since the re-construction of Sanctum Sanctorum mandapa ( 25 lakhs ) and a mandapa ( 3.85 crores ) for various purposes are progress, Devotees are requested to donate liberally. 

CONTACT DETAILS:

The land line 04144 240500 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

Bhuvanagiri is 10.2 KM  from Chidambaram and 50 KM from District Head quarters Cuddalore.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

“SATHYA GNANA SABAI” – TEMPLE OF WISDOM" ALSO CALLED AS "SUTHA SANMARKKA SATHYA GNANA SABHAI " - RAMALINGA ADIGALAR / RAMALINGA SWAMIGAL, VADALUR IN CUDDALORE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

14^th & 15^th September 2019.

 ArutperunJothi ArutperunJothi ThaniperunKarunai ArutperunJothi

அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி தனிப்பெருங்கருணை அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி

It was a long wish to visit Ramalinga Adigal’s “Sathya Gana Sabai – Temple of Wisdom” also known as Sutha Sanmarkka Sathya Gnana Sabhai at Vadalur. I was introduced Sri Ramalinga Adigal’s teachings and Yoga when I was at Tuticorin in 1980’s ( Thoothukudi) and didn’t practiced seriously. After I shifted my job to Chennai, I had the opportunity of visiting Vallalar's House at Seven Wells, during one of our heritage walks. I was also allowed inside the room where he stayed, since I was pure vegetarian for the past 30 year. This visit urged me to Visit the Sathya Gana Sabhai, where Ramalinga Adigal merged with Jothi. Ramalingam is called in different names Like, Vallalar, Ramalinga Swamigal, Ramalinga Vallalar, Thiruvart Prakasa Vallalar, etc,.

Ramalinga Adigal was born as a 5^th child to Ramiah Pillai and Chinnamani  in a small village called Marudur near Chidambaram on 5^th October 1823AD. Chroniclers record miraculous happenings before and after the birth of Ramalingam. When he was taken to Chidambaram Nataraja temple, he laughed loudly on seeing the camphor aarathi shown to Natarajar. After the demise of his father, Chinnammai and Ramalingam moved to elder brother Sabapathy’s residence at Seven Wells area Chennai, then Madras in 1825AD.

Ramalingam was sent to Kanchipuram for formal study  from MahaVidvan Sabapathy. Since he was not interested, returned back to Madras. After returning from Kanchipuram frequently he went to Sri Kandasamy temple. This created a conflict between him and his brother and instructed his wife not to give food. He also went to Thiruvotriyur Shiva Temple. He stayed in the 1^st floor  and started meditating with a lamp & a Mirror. One day he was forced to perform an Upanyasam from "Periyapuranam" - the life history of 63 Nayanmars - Shiva Devotees, which was supposed to be performed by his brother. On hearing his brilliant exposition and uninterrupted  flow of words while enunciating the verse, it was highly appreciated by the audience and his brother also acknowledged. In the process of meditation Ramalingam had seen Sri Murugan as Arumugar in the mirror. In the meantime he was forced to marry his elder sister Unnamamulai’s daughter, Dhanakodi. ( There are no much details available about his married life ). From 1825 to 1858 AD, 33 years Ramalingam lived in Madras, the present Chennai.

Since his teachings focused mainly on  Jeevakarunyam  ( not killing animals for food ) and against illogical caste systems. வாடிய பயிரைக் காணும்போதெல்லாம் வாடினேன்.என்று கூறுவார். So He established “Samarasa Sutha Sanmarga Sathya Sangam” in 1865AD. He also shifted from Madras ( Chennai ) to a place called Karunguzhi, in South Arcot District and stayed at Munshi Thiruvenkadam’s house. He also started “The Sathya Dharma Salai” on a donated land measuring 80 kani from Parvathipuram people, in a place called Vadalur, to feed food for all irrespective of caste and creed. From then onwards Ramalingam was called as Vallalar. His plan of starting a School and Publishing house to publish journals with the help of Kadhar Sahib which was not taken up.

His works were published as “Thiruvarutpa”. This went in to controversial with Arumuga Navalar from Srilanka, where he published “Marutpa” and defamation suit was filed against Vallalar. Judgement came in favour of Vallalar. Ultimately, it was a victory of truth and Vallalar carried on his teachings and works undeterred like this minor challenges. On 22^nd October 1873AD, he delivered his last and most famous discourse at Mettukuppam “Siddhi Vilakam” residence.

On 30^th January 1874AD, on the Thaipoosam day his physical form came to an end. He kept the lamp out side, before entering the room and locked inside.  He instructed his disciples to continue the meditation and not to open the door. The door never opened after some days and Vallalar also didn’t came out & merged with Jothi without leaving physical body. The passing away of Ramalinga Adigal created rumors and forcing Govt. to act. 5 months after his merger with Jothi, in May the door of the room was forced open, in presence of authorities.  The room was empty and found nothing suspicious. The Madras Gazetteer published  by the South Arcot District in 1906 records his disappearance.  During his physical life he was a Saint, Siddhar ( who practiced Navakanda yoga also ), a Philosopher and a good humanitarian too.

       

"SUTHA SANMARGA SATHYA GNANA SABHAI" was designed and constructed in octagonal shape by Vallalar. The front mandapa was built by Tamil Nadu Govt in 2010. At the centre of the Gnana Sabhai there is a mandapa supported by 4 pillars and inside there is a 12 pillar mandapa. The perpetual Lamp is kept at the centre. The lamp is 6.75 feet high and 4.75 feet wide. A mirror is kept to reflect light is called the Jothi. This was lit initially by Vallalar, on 25^th January 1872AD. On every Thaipoosa day Jothi dharshan is conducted  6 times ie 6.30 hrs, 10.00 hrs, 13.00 hrs, 19.00 hrs, 22.00 hrs and 5.30 hrs on the following day. On the third day after the Thaipoosam devotees are allowed to have the dharshan through the window.

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 ArutperunJothi ArutperunJothi ThaniperunKarunai ArutperunJothi

அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி தனிப்பெருங்கருணை அருட்பெருஞ்ஜோதி