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

Monday 23 September 2019

“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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