VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : “Sathya Gnana Sabai - Temple of Wisdom also called as "Sutha Sanmarka Sathya Gnana Sabai" - Ramalinga Adigalar / Ramalinga Swamigal, Vadalur in Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu.

Monday, 23 September 2019

“Sathya Gnana Sabai - Temple of Wisdom also called as "Sutha Sanmarka Sathya Gnana Sabai" - 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 Gnana Sabai – Temple of Wisdom” also known as Sutha Sanmarga Sathya Gnana Sabhai at Vadalur. I was introduced to Sri Ramalinga Adigal’s teachings and Yoga when I was at Tuticorin in the 1980s (Thoothukudi) and didn’t practice 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 a pure vegetarian for the past 30 years. This visit urged me to Visit the Sathya Gnana Sabhai, where Ramalinga Adigal merged with Jothi. Ramalingam is called by different names Like Vallalar, Ramalinga Swamigal, Ramalinga Vallalar, Thiruvarut Prakasa Vallalar, etc,.

Ramalinga Adigal was born as a 5^th child to Ramaiah Pillai and Chinnamani in a small village called Marudur near Chidambaram on 5^th October 1823 CE. 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 aarti shown to Natarajar. After the demise of his father, Chinnammai and Ramalingam moved to elder brother Sabapathy’s residence in the Seven Wells area of Chennai, then Madras in 1825 CE.

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 him food. He also went to Thiruvotriyur Shiva Temple. He stayed on 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 it. 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 not many details available about his married life). From 1825 to 1858 AD, 33 years Ramalingam lived in Madras, the present Chennai.

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 1865 CE. 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 Vallalar. His plan of starting a School and Publishing house to publish journals with the help of Kadhar Sahib was not taken up.

His works were published as “Thiruvarutpa”. This went into controversy with Arumuga Navalar from Sri Lanka, where he published “Marutpa” and a defamation suit was filed against Vallalar. Judgment came in favor of Vallalar. Ultimately, it was a victory of truth and Vallalar carried on his teachings and works undeterred by these minor challenges. On 22^nd October 1873 CE, he delivered his last and most famous discourse at Mettukuppam “Siddhi Vilakkam” residence.

On 30^th January 1874 CE, on the Thaipoosam day, his physical form came to an end. He kept the lamp outside, before entering the room and locked it 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 come out & merged with Jothi without leaving the 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 the 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.

"SUTHA SANMARGA SATHYA GNANA SABHAI" was designed and constructed in an octagonal shape by Vallalar. The front mandapa was built by Tamil Nadu Govt in 2010. At the center of the Gnana Sabhai there is a mandapa supported by 4 pillars and inside there is a 12-pillar mandapam. The perpetual Lamp is kept at the center. 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 1872 CE. On every Thaipoosa day, Jyothi darshan 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 Thaipusam devotees are allowed to have the darshan through the window.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE OF WISDOM: CLICK HERE