ADHIPARASAKTHI SIDDHAR PEEDAM

Introduction:

The Holy-shrine Arulmigu Adhiparasakthi Siddhar Peedam is situated at Melmaruvathur, Tamil Nadu, which is 92 kms south of Chennai on the NH-45. This place is being considered as holy for the past 2000 years. It is in this place where 21 Siddhars, men and women, have their Jeeva Samadhi. These Siddhars belong to various religions. This is the Holy Land where a lady Siddhar resides and blesses.

Historical Significance:

In these Holy Lands at Melmaruvathur, where the current Siddhar Peedam is consecrated, stood a Neem Tree and a huge Snake mound underneath it. One day, in 1960s, milk began to ooze out from the aforesaid Neem Tree. Wonderstruck by the miracle, people in the surrounding villages, thinking it to be a Divine Happening, drank the oozing milk. The milk was delicious though the sap of the Neem tree will always taste bitter. It served as a miraclemedicine for curing the various diseases of the village people. The people slowly started realizing the Divine Power and Grace of the tree. On 28th November 1966, there was a violent storm in Tamil Nadu. The Snake mound under the Neem tree was eroded in the heavy rain. The Neem tree (from which the milk oozed out) also got uprooted due to the violent gusty winds.The Swayambu emerged beneath the uprooted Neem tree. People then understood the revelation that it was because of the power of The Swayambu, the milk had high medicinal values, and the place became so sacred. The Sanctum Sanctorum of today’s SiddharPeedam is established in this very same place. The Swayambu is situated right in front of the Adhiparasakthi statue. In 1971, the first Oracle came through His Holiness, The Adigalar and The Power prophesied that, “it’s descending to earth as The Mother and She should be worshipped as the Goddess Adhiparasakthi, and the world would go through a Spiritual Revolution and a New Renaissance would emerge’. Initially, The Swayambu alone was worshipped for many years. Thereafter, on 25th November 1977, the idol of Mother Adhiparasakthi was installed in the Sanctum Sanctorum. Mother Adhiparasakthi instructed the unique form of this idol through Her Oracles. The idol is one metre tall, seated on a thousand-petal lotus seat, with Her right leg folded and the left leg resting on the lotus petal. The thousand-petal lotus signifies and denotes meditation. She holds the bud of a lotus in Her right hand and the fingers of Her left are folded in a way depicting the Chin Mudra. Her hair is plaited and knotted upwards like a crown

About Amma:

His Holiness, Arulthiru Amma - “When righteousness in the world gives place to unrighteousness, I will descend to Earth and be

born there to restore righteousness once again.” -Amma’s Oracle.

Arul Thiru Bangaru Adigalar was born on March 3rd, 1941 at Melmaruvathur village to the noble souls of Sri Gopala Naicker and Tmt. Meenakshi Ammal. He was the second child, and has a younger brother and a sister. His Holiness, The Arulthiru Amma, is believed to be a POORNA AVATAR (holding all 16 qualities of an Avatar) and the incarnation of the Supreme power – ADHIPARASAKTHI.

The term AVATAR denotes one who has descended to Earth in human form from the spiritual realm of God to re-establish Righteousness in the world and to preserve the human race from extinction. Mother Adhiparasakthi, with Her boundless grace, making Herself a standing example, has therefore come down to this physical planet to re-establish the virtues, and to instill spirituality among the masses, taking the human form in Sri. Adigalar. From a very early age, there were signs to show that His Holiness was not an ordinary child. In the Indian tradition, the snake is considered as a representative of the Divine. Sri.Gopala Naicker’s family saw enough evidence of the presence of the Divine in His Holiness before His Holiness attained the age of puberty. But soon, many other evidences explicitly revealed the divine incarnation of Mother Adhiparasakthi in Sri Adigalar.

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Possessed By The Divine - When His Holiness was a young boy, He was sleeping alone, while the family members were doing their daily chores. When His mother peeped through the window to see if all was fine, she was utterly shocked to see a king cobra coiled around The Child. She screamed with terror and Sri Gopala Naicker, who was outside talking to someone, rushed in and was stunned at the horrifying sight. The snake and The Boy seemed to be playing! Sri Naicker prayed even as others looked for sticks to kill the snake. “Oh Divine Mother, don’t harm The Child. He is Yours. Save Him,” Sri Gopal Naicker prayed calmly. The snake seemed satisfied with the game and prayer, left the place leaving The Boy unharmed.

There is a Goddess Mariamman temple right across Sri Gopal Naicker’s house. Every year, the family would conduct special auspicious festivals for the Amman. In that particular year when – His Holiness was still a young, school-going boy, they were celebrating the annual festival at the Mariamman temple, when suddenly, The Divine possessed the young boy.“Son!”, He addressed his father, perplexing the elder man. Sri Gopal Naicker was too naive to realise the power of the visitation. But, slowly realising that the Divine was addressing him, he most respectfully heard Her out as she said, “Through your son, I shall wipe out the sorrows of the people; I shall bless the people with Divine words using your son as my vehicle.”

Sri Gopal Naicker, still stunned, asked, “But, what about His education?” “Don’t worry about His education. I shall take care of it,” She assured him. Suddenly, The Boy grabbed the heavy brass plate used for performing Deepa Aaradhana and twisted it with ease– really an impossible task for a boy of that tender age.

Sri Gopal Naicker, humbled by this display of power, immediately said, “If you live on our lands, then we will be able to construct a temple and conduct festivals easily.” “So be it!!” She replied instantly.

The True Inner Urge Exposed - Once, His parents took Him to a temple festival. A toy seller asked Him what toy He wanted to buy. His Holiness immediately pointed to one particular toy and it was the idol of Devi Bhuvaneshwari. The idol became the first object of devotion and the inner urge of the Divine Child was clearly exposed.

His Holiness’ Career And The Intervening Emotions - Many years later, when He was training to become a teacher, He experienced many different kinds of emotions, thanks to the guidance of The Mother. But, His friends thought that He was joking when He tried talking to them about it. On several occasions, He had fallen down because of the trance–like state He would get into. After completing the teacher’s training course, He got a job as a teacher in Arapedu village near Achirupakkam.

Family Life - Shri.Adigalar, being a Saint who involved Himself in family life, adds credit to this most Noble and Spiritual Organisation.

“It is best for you to participate in this spiritual movement as husband and wife” ~ Amma’s Oracle. Shri.Adigalar married Selvi.Lakshmi (the ninth daughterof Sri.Venkatachala Naicker and Srimathi Vishalakshi of Uthiramerur) on 4thSeptember, 1968. They have two sons and two daughters who are also deeply involved in the Spiritual Movement. The greatness of this Avatar lies in practicing spirituality even as a family man.

The Profound Simplicity - His Holiness’ Oracles and Miracles attract millions of devotees from all over the world who come to seek His blessings. Clad in a simple white shirt and a red dhoti, sans all ornaments, like a Sanyasi, Sadhu or Godman, Amma is a personification of Simplicity. His Holiness’ profound qualities of love, compassion and sacrifices have led to His devotees calling Him‘AMMA’. The greatest thing about Amma is His Humbleness. Even though devotees see Amma as Adhiparasakthi’s Avatar, Amma is always humble which can very well be realised through one of His sayings, “I AM JUST A SERVANT TO ALL”. That is Amma! Amma is truly the loving mother of the Universe. Her love reaches out to every human being, not only in India, but the world over.

Siddhar Peedam’s Schema:

Adhiparasakthi has declared in Her Oracle that she is not restricted by the Agama Rules (common rules governing the construction and consecration of the different structures in a Hindu temple). It is said that the structures in the Siddhar Peedam have been established according to the Divine orders of Adhiparasakthi. The structures like Kodimaram (Flag Post), Balipeedam (place of sacrifice) and Vahanangal (the palanquins and such other similar structures to carry the presiding deities in a Hindu temple) are not present here.

The Om Sakthi Podium - The Om Sakthi Podium, with the Trident in its centre, stands vibrantly at the entrance and in front of the Siddhar Peedam. Since The Adhiparasakthi is the Mother of all Gods and Goddesses, there are no separate structures for the Navagrahas (the 9 planets generally termed as Planetary Lords, which can be usually seen in the Hindu Temples) in the Siddhar Peedam. The Mother has strongly ascertained, “Those who surrender to Me need not pray to the Planetary Lords. They are just My officers who carry out the work of implementing My Law of Karma. If you go round the Om Sakthi Podium, all the evil effects will be reduced in intensity or fully nullified.”

The Sancturm Sanctorum - In the Sanctum Sanctorum, The Divine mother, Adhiparasakthi showers Her Choicest Blessings from the Lotus Peedam. She showers Her Blessings in the ‘sitting’ posture folding Her right leg and letting Her left leg down. Keeping the left leg down signifies that The Divine Mother Adhiparasakthi has the highest place in everything. She holds the Lotus Bud in Her right hand signifying Gnana (wisdom) and depicts the Chin Mudra (index finger touching the thumb and the other fingers stretched out) in the left hand. The Swayambu is situated right in front of the Adhiparasakthi statue. Anointments (Abishekam) and Archanas (pooja) are performed to the Adhiparasakthi statue and Swayambu, everyday.

The Puttru Mandapam - The Puttru Mandapam structure (Snake Mound) is to the right of the Sanctum Sanctorum. Here Adhiparasakthi resides in the form of Cobra. It is in this Divine Place that Adhiparasakthi delivers Her Oracle.

Saptha Kanniyar Kovil (The Temple Of Matrikas) To the right of Puttru Mandapam is the Saptha Kanniyar Temple (Saptha means seven; Kanni means virgin; Kanniyar, the plural form means virgins). They are the accompanying Angels of Adhiparasakthi. The details about them are as follows: (1) Lord Brahma’s Power-Brahmi (2) Lord Vishnu’s Power-Vaishnavi (3) LordMaheswaran’s Power-Maheswari (4) Lord Kumaran’s PowerKowmari (5) Lord Indra’s Power- Indhrani (6) Lord Varaha’s Power-Vaaragi and (7) Lord Rudra’s PowerChamundi. The temple of the virgins will normally be open atop, without any roof. So also are The Virgins of this temple, with walls on four sides, but roofless.

The Naga Peedam (Presiding deity seated on a 5headed Cobra) - Naga Peedam is situated behind

the Putrumandapam. Upon worshipping the deity in the Naga Peedam by lighting lemon lamp, the devotees can gain the benefits of worshipping three Godesses Kanchi Kamakshi, Kasi Visalakshi and Madurai Meenakshi thereby nullifying family related problems and fostering unity within the family members.

Arutkoodam (His Holy Abode) - The divine Arutkoodam is situated in the North-Western corner of the Siddhar Peedam. At Arutkoodam, the devotees perform Paadha Pooja to His Holiness for getting His Divine Blessings and Guidance to get rid of their personal problems.

Adharvana Badhrakali Temple - This is a small temple is situated opposite to the Omsakthi Podium of the Siddhar Peedam. People who have been affected and crippled by the negative forces of Witchcraft and Black Magic will be cured if they worship the powerful Goddess of this temple.

Uniqueness Of The Place:

Divine Incarnation (Avatar) - Melmaruvathur is a place of marvel because Goddess Adhiparasakthi has incarnated Herself in the human form (Avatar) as Arulthiru Bangaru Adigalar (fondly called as ‘AMMA’ meaning mother in Tamil - symbolising His motherly affection to one and all), and provides solutions to the innumerable complex problems of human beings.

Beyond Religions And Boundaries – One Mother, One Race - The name "Siddhar Peedam” is used instead of the conventional word “temple” since 21 Siddhars (Highly evolved souls or God realized beings similar to Jesus, Buddha, Moses, Mohammed or Great Spiritual Masters/Gurus) belonging to various religions are in Jeeva Samaadhi (leaving the mortal body but living in astral plane) here. Thus this Siddhar Peedam is not considered to be a Hindu Temple, and welcomes people of all religions under the proclamation “ONE MOTHER ONE RACE”

Uniform Colour And Its Significance - Devotees throng Melmaruvathur and the Siddhar Peedam in RED robes or clothes. The red colour has been chosen to symbolise the pigment of blood, which is common to all human beings on this Mother Earth, irrespective of caste, creed, gender, religion or any other discrimination.

No To Priests - One of the unique features of this Siddhar Peedam is that it does not have appointed priests to perform or conduct daily prayers unlike in other temples. The devotees (including women) are allowed to perform Archanas and Abishekams themselves, in accordance with the procedures laid by the Mother Adhiparasakthi through Her Oracles. Every day, each one of the odd Worshipping Centres (Mandrams in Tamil) is given the noble task of serving at the Sanctum Sanctorum.

Prominence To Women At The Siddhar Peedam Amma has said that one of the foremost reasons for Her incarnation is to give a divine place to the women folk by involving them in spirituality. Women are given utmost importance in all the activities and festivals at the Siddhar Peedam. Women are even allowed during their menstrual periods to perform regular prayers at the Sanctum Sanctorum (which is prohibited in Hindu temples all over the world). Amma emphasises that it is only a natural phenomenon which should not prohibit women from worshipping God and that would certainly pave way for their upliftment. Many women have significantly attained and conquered unscaled heights in spiritualism – performing Yagnas, Kumbhabishekams and Archanas in the Sanctum Sanctorum at this SiddharPeedam.

Four Ideals:

The four pillars or ideals of the Om Sakthi movement are:

1. Devotion, 2. Charity,

3. Service & 4. Meditation.

The Mother helps all those who sincerely pray to Her. Chanting, charity, meditating deeply and calmly, doing yeomen service, wherever and whenever possible are given priorities by His Holiness, The Amma.

Miracles:

Astonishing Miracles of Amma - Amma, who has been rightly realised by lakhs and lakhs of devotees, as the true Avatar of Adhiparasakthi, has performed innumerable miracles, ascertained by the devotees themselves. His Holiness, the Amma had appeared in their dreams and had cured many incurable diseases by His mere graceful look or by suggesting remedies beyond a common man’s comprehension. His Holiness, the Amma had also solved complex and intricate problems in the lives of devotees. Each devotee, of this Holy soil, invariably has experienced one or more miracles showered on him/her by Amma, and they very eagerly and benignly share them with others. This can be more clearly understood only on personally experiencing Amma’s grace.

Adhiparasakthi Trust:

The Adhiparasakthi Charitable, Medical, Educational and Cultural Trust was created in 1978 to spread spirituality and render social and community services to all. The preachings of His Holiness Arulthiru Adigalar repeatedly stress one idea - Service to Humanity is Service to God. It is often repeatedly said by elders, philanthropists and noble persons that "Charitable and welfare activities should be performed for the benefit of the down-trodden and upliftment of the poor and have-nots." This is one of the often repeated messages of His Holiness Arulthiru Adigalar. For such noble activities, His Holiness ordained and founded the Adhiparasakthi Charitable, Medical, Educational and Cultural Trust. The activities of this Charitable Trust are guided and directed through the Oracles of His Holiness Arulthiru Adigalar. The Charitable Trust's daily service is free medical treatment for over 400 patients and free meals for the poor. Those who participate in the administration of this spiritual organisation are our devotees, nominated only through the Oracles of His Holiness Arulthiru Adigalar. The devotees of His Holiness Arulthiru Adigalar are spread in over 70 countries.

Charitable Activities

- Building homes for the poor; relief to victims of natural calamities; renovating dilapidated temples; distributing food, clothing and books to the poor; giving crutches and other aids to the handicapped; providing water for lepers housing colonies; assisting poor farmers and artisans with implements; homes for the aged and orphanage for the children; helping the widows and destitutes; conducting free marriages for the poor; performing last rites in ceremonial manner for the poor, etc.

Medical Activities - Providing free and quality medical aid to the rural poor; organising medical camps on geriatric, eye, ENT, skin and blood donation, etc., along with veterinary camps periodically; conducting free immunization programs; rendering free maternity assistance to the rural womenfolk; giving free medicare to the poor people through well-equipped dispensary, etc.

Mass Feeding - Free food is served to all devotees visiting the Siddhar Peedam between 10:30 and 12:00 noon. The Siddhar Peedam has a large dining hall to accommodate 2000 people at a time.

Free Hospital - "Amma" is the embodiment of Mercy and Compassion. Since 1986, by Her grace The Adhiparasakthi Charitable Hospital has been serving the needs of tens of thousands of people from hundreds of neighbouring villages. Both medical care and the supply of medicines are given completely free to everyone, including the poor and needy. Free eye, dental, skin, ear, nose, throat and general treatment are given at the Medical camps that are frequently held.