THIRUVANNAMALAI YOGIS

Thiruvannamalai 

Thiruvannamalai (sanskrit name for Thiruvannaamalai - Arunachala)  is a pilgrimage town in Thiruvannamalai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.  It is the headquarters of the Thiruvannamalai district. Thiruvannamalai is home  to the Annamalaiyar temple located at the foot of the Annamalai hill (also  known as Aruna Giri) and amongst one of the great lord Shiva temples of  Tamilnadu. Thiruvannamalai has long been associated with many yogis  and siddhars.  Thiruvannamalai is one of the Pancha Boota Sthalangal.  The Pancha Boota stalangal’s are…  * Sri Kalahasti, Andhra Pradesh representing the Air. * Thiruvanaikoil, Tamil Nadu representing the Water. * Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu representing the Fire. * Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu representing the Sky. * Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu representing the Earth respectively.  The Siddhar at first attains the eight great supernatural powers  known as ‘Ashtanga siddhis’ in Sanskrit and ‘Attama siddhis’ in Tamil, they are,“anima, mahima, laghima, garima, prapti,prakamya, isatvam and vasitvam.” These powers and other ‘minor’ powers are explained in detail in various  yogic as well as religious texts;Thirumandiram 668: “ To become tiny as the atom within the atom (Anima) To become big in unshakeable proportions (Mahima) To become as light as vapour in levitation (Laghima) To become as heavy as the mountain (Garima) To enter into other bodies in transmigration (Prapti) To be in all things,omni-pervasive (Prakamya) To be lord of all creation in omnipotence (Isatvam) To be everywhere in omnipresence (Vasitvam) _ These eight are the Great Siddhis.”

ARUNAGIRI NATHAR

Arunagiri was born in Thiruvannamalai, a town in Tamil Nadu. His father died soon after his birth and his mother and sister instilled him with their cultural and religious traditions. Legends claim that Arunagiri was attracted to the pleasures of the flesh and spent his youth in pursuing a life of debauchery. His sister always gave whatever she earned to make her brother happy, and he frequented devadasis. There came a time when his sister had no money to meet his demands. She said that he should sell her in order to have money, upon hearing which arunagirinathar realised how selfish he had been. He decided to end his life, went to a temple and hit his head against the pillars and steps, begging for forgiveness. Then he leapt from the temple tower. He was however miraculously saved from the death by the god Muruga who transformed him into a saint.

Sculpture of Arunagirinathar in Venjamakoodal temple

Arunagiri sang his first devotional song and thereafter decided to spend the rest of his life singing in praise of the God. He was a devotee of Muruga and worshipped him at Vedapureeswarar temple at the sacred place known as Cheyyar.

His fame got the jealousy of chief minister of the Kingdom. He claimed Arunagirinathar as a false saint and not a true devotee of the god Subramaniya. So the king arranged a public gathering and asked Arunagiri to show Subramanya to others also. Arunagiri started singing songs towards Muruga and soon after Muruga appeared in a stone pillar in the form of child.

RAMNA MAHARISHI

Maharshi believed that the highest end of any human endeavour is to realise the Self and abide by the Self. Once, the Self is realised, one is liberated from various bondages and becomes Jeevan Mukta. Though Maharshi himself attained this level, he never believed in advocating, much less persuading anyone to accept his principles. He had shown the way and left the freedom to choose to the seekers. However, he encouraged them to observe, analyse and enquire. He stopped short of giving a general advice to the devotees, but never referred about it subsequently. Self-Realisation formed the core of Maharshi’s teaching and he lived all through as a realised sage, as one always abiding by his self. He was a Jeevan Mukta who had liberated himself from the world of illusion. He lived in the world and yet away from it. He lived on his body and yet away from it. "As one lets go the leaf after eating the food, the seer sheds his body", he said. Some showered on him flowers of appreciation and some urchins threw stones at him but, neither the bouquets nor brickbats made any impact on him and he remained his usual self. He lived beyond his body, mind and ego. Neither the praises nor abuses affected him the least. Once, a devotee has compiled a book on Maharshi’s life wherein he had erroneously mentioned Sri Ramana having got married. He then presented the book to Maharshi himself for correction and editing. After going through the contents, Maharshi smiled for a while and returned the manuscript pointing out only certain spelling mistakes! On another occasion, when devotees were chanting hymns in praise of Maharshi, he too joined them in singing as if he has nothing to do with whom the praises were showered. He had detached himself totally from his body and mind. Maharshi did not believe in performing miracles. There was no necessity for him to convince anyone the value of his teachings and there was no need to bring anyone to his line of thinking. But miracles did happen even without Maharshi’s knowledge. There were instances when devotees of Maharshi silently prayed for fulfillment of certain wishes and they found to their surprise all their unexpressed wishes being fulfilled. Maharshi had no occasion to know such wishes but devotees experienced his grace. In fact, miracles did happen, where necessary, even without Maharshi being aware of it. It was clear that a divine power emanated from him.  Ramana Ashram Sri Ramana Ashram is one the holy places in Thiruvannamalai. Sri Ramana maharishi is a great sage lived in a cave on Arunachal hill where he lived in solitude for 17 years, gradually attracts many devotees. In the 1920s an ashram was built for him at this mountain. He attained mukthi in the year 1950. Its international reputation is confirmed by the many foreign visitors who visits here. Situated at the foot of Arunachala hill, the ashram is a large, well maintained ashram.  Skandashramam  Situated a half hour's walk up the mountain is the Skandashram. It is a beautiful tree-shaded hermitage. Ramana Maharshi lived and meditated here in a cave from 1916 to 1922, and his mother attained mukti here. One can see panoramic view of the temple and the surrounding areas from here. Slightly further is the Virupaksha Cave, believed to contain the ashes of a yogi from Karnataka who lived here from 1899 to 1916. Even closer to the foothill is the Mamara Guhai (cave under the mango tree), where Ramana Maharshi stayed for a while.

YogiRamsuratkumar 

YogiRamsuratkumar,the Greatest saints of this era was born in a village near Kashi on the first day of December,1918.In his childhood,he loved very much to meet the yogis and monks.He was befriended by a number of holy men who build their huts on the Ganges shore or simply wander nearby.


Sri Aurobindo gave him Jnana, Sri Maharshi blessed him with tapas and Swami Ramadas gave him the nectar of Bhakti. Swami Ramadas initiated him into the holy mantra : " Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram ", by pronouncing it thrice in his ears.

After a Prolonged spiritual voyage,Yogiji finally reached Thiruvannamalai in the Southern India.He was seen near the Temple chariot,at the corners of the Road,under the trees of the Temple.Swamiji then began living in a small house in Sannadhi Street beneath the Temple.He continued to bless the devotees who thronged at thousands to His house at the Sannadhi Street.The Devotees wished Him to have an Ashram which He gently accepted.The YogiRamsuratkumar Ashram is constructed at Agrahara collai with a total area of 3.5 Acres.

"VISIRI SAMIYAR" as affectionately called by devotees attained Siddhi on 20.2.2001 at Tiruvannamalai in the Ashram premises

SESHADRI SWAMIGAL 

Seshadri, at the age of 4, demanded the idol to perform pooja daily. Seeing the crying of the child the shop keeper himself came forward offering the doll to the child and insisted that the mother shall accept it as a gift to the child; whereby the child took it and performed poojas in his house. Next day again when they are on their way to the temple, the shop keeper came running and taking Seshadri's hands to his eyes said that the hands are 'golden hands'. On enquiry, he recited that the day he gave this idol to the child as a gift, he had such a sale that is of ten times any of his maximum sales so far in his life. It may look like having happened incidentally, but later on, the episodes in Seshadri's life at Tiruvannamalai confirmed that this incident also is of the child's power. Incidentally, the child had soolam in his left hand and a circle in his right hand; the soolam is considered as mahasakthi and the circle denotes nava graham. Coincidentally it is said that Shirdi Sai Baba also had this sakthi in his right foot.


Seshadri used to do pooja in the room for the picture of Sri.Rama, Sridevi Kamakshi and his self drawn picture of Lord Arunachala of Thiruvannamalai from the early morning to mid day bolting the doors inside even without taking food in time and even going on fast thro’out the day sometimes, inspite of his relatives advising him to eat something to maintain his health. He used to remove stones and thorns in the street at the time of Lord Narayana coming in procession from temple. He used to throw the food given to him to dogs and crows, for which he used to say that karma should pass off. Therefore some people used to laugh at Seshadri. After some time, he started going to graveyard and start penance there; even he argued with intellectuals about this penance in graveyard and won his point. Even the threatening of his uncle not to enter into their house if he does penance in graveyard did not deteriorate his determination, rather he stopped of coming to his uncle’s house; thereby, left with no option, both his uncle and aunt had to compromise to this issue, on account of their sentiments to this boy.

It is at the close of the year 1928 when some devotees had the ambition of conducting an abhishekam for the swamigal. The foreigners have to understand that abhishekam means pouring the pure and useful liquids, like water, rose water, sandal water, milk, etc, on the idol of a god, or goddess. At that point of time Seshadri swamigal warned the devotees that he will get fever and hinted the unwarranted consequence on account of their action. Still the people did not heed to this taking granted that nothing will happen to him being a great and powerful saint. The saint who knows the fate humbly accepted their insisting offer. Thus vessels of cold water, rose water, tender coconut water, milk were poured on his body not by a few people but the whole town took this opportunity of pouring liquids on him to show their reverence to their worshipping living god; thereafter conducted pooja to him by flowers and garlands, and applied viboothi (sacred ash) all over his body.

In the evening as the swamigal predicted, he got fever and immediately the doctors were brought to him. However, the swamigal neither allowed the doctors to attend on him nor took any food from that point of time. This position continued till 4^th of January, 1929 when the swamigal joined his abode after completing his purpose with humanity. The very peculiar aspect of his samadhi was that the planetary positions at the time of his samadhi were similar to the positions at the time of his birth. His body was laid at rest at a place near Ramana Maharashi ashram; Shri. Ramana Maharishi was present then and a samadhi was constructed and a Shiva lingam was placed on this samadhi.

18 SIDDHAS

Sri Ramadevar 

Ramadevar is one of the 18 yoga siddhas. He was initiated by Pulastiyar and Karuvoorar. He is also known as the mandira siddhar. Some of his works include 24 known works: mantra shastra, medicine etc. He has attained samadhi at Alagar Malai.

 

Second siddar is called Ramadevar alias Jacobu or Jacob. associated with Alagarmalai or palamuthir cholai. He attained the final state in yoga called soruba samadhi ye practising mantra sadhana, means rolling the mantras in a rudraksha bead. Like guru nanak. 

Sri Kudambai 

Kudambai is one of the 18 yoga siddhas, initiated by Alukkani Siddha (disciple of Idai Kadar). Kudamabi siddhar's contributions included siddha philosophy. His place of samadhi has been Mayavaram.

Born into the Yadava clan Sir Kudumbai Siddhar was said to have been an attractive child. His mother used to adorn his ears with kudumbai an ornament and hence his name. At the age of 16 a saint is said to have blessed him with the knowledge of the Self. There after he retired from the materialistic world and wrote of God and self in simple language. His works include Kudumbai Gnyana Soostram 18, Kudumbai Siddhar Paadalgal. 

Mayavaram in Tamil means, a place for deathless boon. As this lady attained Immortality or soruba samadhi here. Mayavaram is also known as Mayil-aadu-durai meaning, a place where the peacock dance in ecstasy. Peacock is a symbol of Lord muruga. Here by the grace of Lord Muruga kudambai attained Immortality. She is depicted as a male siddha, but people who are well versed in her songs will undoubtedly know that she is not a male.

Sri Karuvoorar 

Karuvoorar is one of the 18 yoga siddhas. He was one of the eminient disciples of Bhoganathar after being initiated by him. He is popular for his contribution in constructing the Tanjore temple and other medicinal works. IdaiKadar is one of his eminent disciples. He has attained samadhi at Karuvai (karur). 

Karuvoorar belonged to a family of Viswakarmas. He is said to have sculpted in gold the dancing Nataraja as seen by the Chola king Hiranayavarman. It was under his guidance that the Brihardeeswarar temple was built by Raja Raja Chola at Tanjavur. His famous works are Karuvoorar Vaidya Kaviyam 700, Karuvoorar Pala Thirattu. 



Sri Idaikadar 


Idaikadar is one of the 18 yoga siddhas. He was initiated by both Bhoganathar and Karuvoorar. His contributions include two known works in kaya kalpa. He attained samadhi at Thiruvannamalai. Some of his disciples are Kudambai and Alukkani. 

Idaikadar, a shephered siddha attained soruba samadhi here. This place is well known for Arunaigiri-Nathar, Ramana-maharishi and Yogi Ram Surat Kumar (visiri-swami).  According to purana stories: In this place Yogi shiva appeared as a big tree. Brama and vishnu tried to search for the top and bottom of this tree and failed. 



Sri Kamalamuni 


Kamalamuni is one of the 18 yoga siddhas. He has attained samadhi at Aarur (Tiruvarum). His contributions include two known works on medicine and philosophy. 

Kamalamuni was born on the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May - June), his birth star being 2nd part of Poosam. The siddhar named Kamalamuni belongs to Kuravar social group. He lived for six-eight generations.Kamalamuni is 4000 years and some 300 odd (days) old. He lived in China for a long time.

Sri Kalangi Nadhar belongs to Kannar social group. Many people believe that Sri Kalangi Nathar is siddhar Kamalamuni. In the 63 rd song of " Kamalamuni Suthiram 76 ", a line says that " Kamalamuni alias Kalangi ". Hence it can me true that Sri Kalangi Nathar is siddhar Kamalamuni himself.
In " Bogar Janana Sasthra ", it is mentioned that Kamalamuni attained samadhi at Madurai . However as per the table of 18 siddhars, it is belived that siddhar Kamalamuni attained samadhi at Thiruvavur. 


Sri Valmiki 


Valmiki is one of the 18 yoga siddhas. He was initiated by the great sage Narada. He is very much known for recording the epic work 'The Ramayana'. He has attained samadhi at Ettikudi. 



Tamil siddar Vanmiki wrote Ramayana in North Indian language, attained soruba samadhi in Ettukkudi in South India. Vanmiki’s Tamil works are available from Yogi Ram Sunthar’s 18-siddar kanda yogam .

Sri Vaanmeegar's birth star is Anusham in the Tamil month of Purattasi (September-October). There is an argument that the Valmiki who wrote Valmiki Ramayana is different from the siddhar Vaanmeegar of the south. However, siddhar Bogar in his script "Bogar 7000" proclaims that they are one and the same. He says that Vaanmeegar is the name of the siddhar who wrote Valmiki Ramayana in song (verse) number 5834. He makes a clear distinction between the names Vaanmeegar and Valmiki.

Further, in his next song (verse number 5835), Bogar says that Vaanmeegar's age is 700 and some odd days. He also says that he is a learned scholar in Tamil language. He also makes a reference about his samadhi. This author is not able to understand the exact meaning of the second part of that song.

It is also said that Sri Vaanmeegar alias Valmiki wrote the epic Ramaya on getting the spiritual knowledge from Narada.

Sri Pathanjali 


Pathanjali is one of the 18 yoga siddhas. He was initiated by Nandi Devar. He is known for his works on yoga sutras classic. He has attained samadhi at Rameswaram. He is also known as father of yoga. Patanjali wrote the yoga sutras in north Indian Language. 

Sri Pathanjali is considered the first siddhar. The information on Pathanjali is available only in Purana's. Pathanjali is considered as a form / incarnation of Adiseshan (the snake associated with Lord Vishnu). Lord Vishnu sleeps over Adiseshan. Once, Lord Vishnu saw the Siva Thandava (the divine dance of Lord Siva) and got extremely happy. Adisheshan could not bear the weight of Lord Vishnu in such a state. So, when Adiseshan informed Lord Vishnu of his difficulty, He was told about the Siva Thandava. Adiseshan also wanted to see the Siva thandava. So he did penance and Lord Siva appeared before him and granted his wish to see the divine dance. Lord Siva told him that he and Viyakramabathar would see his dance in the southern city of Thillai. Thillai is the other name of Chidambaram and it houses the famous Nataraja temple (please refer to the note below for details about the dance of Lord Siva).
Hence, Adisesha came to Thillai in South India and performed poojas for Lord Siva along with Viyakramabathar. Eventually, both of them witnessed the Siva Thandava.

Afterwards, Pathanjali (Adisesha) stayed in Thillai forests for a long time. He wanted to teach his script (Vyagarana Suthiram) to his disciples in the thousand-pillar structure in Thillai. However, Pathanjali was afraid that Himself being the form of Adisesha, his disciples would be burnt when they come near his breath.

Hence, he arranged for a partition between himself and his disciples. He taught his disciples sitting behind the partition. Sixty students (disciples) were learning under him. The students were very much impressed with their master and were anxious to see his face.

Once, a student got very apprehensive and pulled the partition to see the face of the master. All the students were burnt at the same instant. However, one of the students, Kaubathar did not attend the lecture on that day due to an external work. On seeing his fellow students being burnt to ashes, Kaubathar was terrified. Pathanjali changed his form and pacified his student. Pathanjali was very happy that one of his disciples is alive and he taught all the skills to his disciple, Kaubathar. Kaubathar's disciple is Govinda Bhawat Badal, who is also considered as the Guru of Adi Sankaracharya.

There are varied schools of thought that the Pathanjali who wrote "Maha Bashyam" in North India is different from the Pathanjali who wrote "Gyana Sutra" in Tamil. As siddhars have been known to live for ages, the period of the life of Pathanjali and the exact duration of his life can not be known. Moreover, there are no definitive texts available about Pathanjali. Both Pathanjali and Viyakramabathar had lived in Tamil Nadu in a period where siddhars had also lived there. Both of them had observed the divine dance of Lord Siva at Thillai in Tamil Nadu. Both of them attained their Samadhi at Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. Hence the argument that Pathanjali could not have written texts in Tamil could not be true.

Sri Dhanvanthri 



Dhanvanthri is one of the 18 yoga siddhas. He is known for his contributions on medicine, alchemy, kaya kalpa, 22 known works. He has attained samadhi at Vaideeswaran Kovil. 

Dhanvanthri is also known as an Incarnation of lord Krishna. During Kumbamela time,  Dhanvanthri appears to save the amirtha (nectar) from the asuras and to save the devas. Dhanvanthri is known as doctor of medicine amoung the siddha circles. Lord shiva is known as Vaitheeswaran (doctorof medicine), in vaitheeswaran koil. Here underneath a neem tree (famous for lord shiva, also caled Sivanar-Vembu), Lord shiva taught the sience of siddha medicine to Dhanvanthri.



Sri Pambatti (Paambatti) 


Pambatti is one of the 18 yoga siddhas. He was initiated by Sattaimuni. His contributions includeworks in siddha philosophy. He has attained samadhi at Harisankaran kovil. He was originally a snake charmer before he met his guru Sattaimuni. Later after being initiated by his guru, due to his intense sadhana he has became a siddha. 

18 SIDDHAS

18 SIDDHAS


Shiva Puranas are filled with stories which describe how Lord Shiva, (the name for God among a major sect of Hinduism) has sat in meditation on Mt. Kailas, Tibet since time immemorial. He is worshipped by the yogis as Lord, and by all the gods as the supreme Lord. The history of the Siddha tradition begins millions of years ago with the story of Lord Shiva's initiation of his consort or Shakti, Parvati Devi, into Kriya Kundahni Pranayama (the scientific art of mastering the breath) in a huge cave at Amarnath in the Kashmir Himalayas (Ramaiah, 1968, p. 108). Later Yogi Shiva initiated others, including the Siddha Agastyar and the Siddhas Nandi Devar and Thirumoolar on Mount Kailas in Tibet. Agastyar subsequently initiated Babaji.


According to the traditions of southern India there are eighteen siddhas in particular who attained perfection, which included their spiritual, intellectual, mental, vital and physical bodies. The names of these eighteen siddhas vary according to different sources, but it appears most likely that they included the ones listed on following pages (Ramaiah, 1968, p. 2‑3; Pillai, 1979, p. 342‑349). Besides each is given the name of the place where each of them is reported to have attained the state of perfection, known as "soruba samadhi", their guru, disciples and major contributions. 

Apart from these eighteen, popularly known as the "Pattinettu" (Eighteen) Siddhas, there are a number of others who appear in other lists from various sources. They include Konkeyar, Punnakeesar, Pulastiyar, Poonaikannar, Pulipanni, Kalangi, Aluganni, Agapaiyer, Theraiyar, Roma Rishi, and Avvai.

After experiencing "union" or yoga with God or ultimate Reality in the spiritual plane, like a salt doll merging with the ocean, the Tamil Yoga Siddhas experienced a progressive transformation of their intellectual, mental, vital and ultimately, physical bodies.

In attaining such an integral realization they have manifested a Divine transformation of their entire human nature. While their attainment is beyond human comprehension, a comparative study of their lives and writings provides valuable insight into human potential.

The attainment of the 18 Siddhas and Babaji has been the result of the grace of God (whom the Siddhas called Shiva, Muruga, Vishnu or Shakti) and the Kriyas or techniques used by them to prepare their lower bodies for the descent of the Divinity. Collectively, the techniques are known as "Kriya Yoga Siddhantham", which means, the practical yoga techniques bringing about final perfection in the realization of God or Truth.

Sri Agasthiyar

Sri Agasthiyar is one of the 18 yoga siddhas who have initiated many siddhas including kriya guru Babaji. He was initiated directly by Lord Shiva himself and his works include medicine, kaya kalpa, Tamil grammar and yoga. Some of his disciples are Boganathar, Babaji, Thiruvalluvar, Macchamuni. He has attained samadhi at Ananthasayana.

Agasthiyar was a great friend of the Aryans who came into India probably during this period.  Sage Agathiyar has glorified deities in the great Rig Veda. Agasthiyar was not only a master Of Tamil language (also known as the father of Tamil language) but also Sanskrit, the language of the Aryans. He has glorified 11 deities and these slokas are found in the Rig Veda.


He is considered as the first and foremost siddha. He is considered the guru of many other siddhas. He is also called Kurumuni, meaning short (kuru) saint (muni). He made contributions to the field of Medicine and astrology - especially nadi astrology. He is said to have lived for over 5000 years, and that one of his medicinal preparations, Boopathi Kuligai, is so powerful that it can even bring the dead back to life. Two of his students and disciples were therayar and tholkappiar. Another story about him is that once when the great sage accompanied by his beloved royal wife were wandering through forests, she fainted due to the humidity and hot conditions prevailing in the south. She was royal, hence not exposed to hard conditions. By seeing this the great sage became angry and prepared to punish the Sun God with his bow and arrows. Upon seeing this the sun god feared and appeared before Agastya and presented him with umbrella and chappals(foot wear).


He was an expert par excellence in various forms of astrology and medicine. His energy can still be accessed through the Jeeva Nadi or the live predictions that appear on the palm leaves only at the time of reading.




Sri Nandi Devar




Nandi Devar is one of the foremost of the 18 yoga siddhas. He has been directly initiated by Lord Shiva himself and some of his contributions include medicine, kaya kalpa & Alchemy. Some of his eminent disciples are Thirumoolar, Patanjali, Dakshinamoorthy, Romarishi (Kayilay Kambilisattamuni) & Sattaimuni.

Sri Thirumoolar


Thirumoolar is one of the 18 yoga siddhas. He has been initiated by Nandi Devar and his contributions include works in yoga and philosophy. His 'Thirumandiram' work is very popular among his works. He has attained samadhi in Chidambaram.

 First siddha mentioned was Thirumoolar, lovingly called by the other siddhas as “parttar” meaning grand father. Thillai means CHIDAMPARAM. This temple is consecrated under the auspices of Thirumoolar with a kopuram having 21600 golden tiles, to show a man breaths in and out 21600 times per day. 72000 nails, were used to show, if one breathe 21600 breaths per day then his 72000 nadis will be purified. There are millions of nadis but the major ones are 72000. Yogini Avaiar and Bhogar (palanimalai bhoganathar) also conforms this as 72000.

Thirumoolar has composed 3,000 monumental verses known as Thira‑Mandiram (Sacred Mystic Words).  Thirumoolar has dealt with almost all the aspects of Saiva (Shiva) religion. The philosophy of deathless life is found in many of his verses and also in his chapter on the eight‑fold Asthaanga‑Yoga. If one practices these principles of Yoga, the experience of Samadhi, the super‑conscious fourth state beyond waking, dreaming and sleeping, is easily possible by His grace. When this experience becomes fully integrated, the state is known as "Siddhi of the physical body" of which there are three kinds. These are:

1. Vuruva Siddhi, siddhi with body, i.e. conversion of corporal body into effulgence of grace merged with the Bliss of God;

2. Aru ‑ Vuruva Siddhi ‑ Siddhi with and without the body, i.e. conversion of the body into a body of Bliss of God and merged with Him like camphor set on fire, leaving no residue;

3. Aruva Siddhi ‑ Siddhi without the body, i.e. conversion of the body into Effulgence of God and disappearing.

Sri Bogar




Bognathar who is also known as the Palani Malai Siddhar is one among the 18 yoga siddhas. He was initiated by Kalanginathar and Agastyar. He is a great alchemist of all times. His contributions include yoga, kaya kalpa, medicine, alchemy, natural sciences, philosophy etc. He is the one who has created and installed the idol of Lord Muruga in Palani malai temple. Till now even after ages, the composition of the idol has been a mystery to all scientists around the world. His disciples include Babaji, Konkanavar, Karuvoorar, Pulipani and Idaikadar.

Bhoga-Nathar  belongs to the group of Nath sadus or holy sages. Sivanath, Kalangi Nath, Macchindra Nath etc..etc.. Their names end with Nath. Boganathar also one of the Tamil 18-siddas. Boganathar is the direct disciple of Kalangi Nath. Kalangi Nath  is associated with South India and later migrated and lived in China  and spread the knowledge of yoga to the Chinese people.

A Yantra associated with Bogar, installed in Palani, south India, Siddha Boganathar is credited with inscribing a mystical Yantra geometric design (see picture), etched into a metallic plate and installed it at the sanctum sanatorium of Palani.

Sri Konkanavar 







Konkanavar is one of the 18 yoga siddhas initiated by Boganathar. His contributions include 25 known works in medicine, yoga, philosophy, religion etc. He has over 557 disciples. He has attained samadhi at Tirupati. 

Sri Machamuni 





Machamuni who is also known as Matsyendranath is one of the 18 yoga siddhas. He has been initiated by Agasthiyar, Punnakeesar and Pasundar. Some of his contributions include 10 known works on Hatha yoga, Tantric yoga practices etc. Gorakhnathar is one of his eminent disciples. He has attained samadhi at 
Thiruparrunkundram. 


" Machamuni is a siddhar. He was the child brought up by Punnakeesar. He is also Punakeesar's disciple. There is a story that once Lord Siva was preaching Uma Devi. Uma Devi had slept when Lord Siva was preaching her. However, a fish was listening to the lecture. Later on that fish was transformed into Siddhar Machamuni by Lord Siva."

The Machamuni Siddhar's disciples are believed that Machamuni Siddhar Athistanam is full Spiritual Magnetic Force, and they trust that he make success on his beliver's oblication. 




Machamuni also mentions about the Siva Thandava witnessed by siddhar Pathanjali in one of his songs. Hence, it can be said that he had lived in the period when siddhar Pathanjali and Sri Viyakrabathar witnessed the Siva Thandava in Thillai (for details about this event, please refer to the information on siddhar Pathanjai in this web site). Thillai is the other name of Chidambaram and is one of the 5 dance halls of Lord Siva.


Sri Gorakhnathar (Gorakkar) 





Gorakhnathar is one of the 18 yoga siddhas in the 'nath' tradition. He was initiated by Dattatreya (Vishnu), Macchamuni and Allama Prabu. Some of his contributions include "Avadhuta Gita" and 13 other works, order of ascetics, medicine, alchemy, Hatha Yoga Pradipika classic etc. He has attained samadhi at Poyur (Girnar). 

Sre Gorakkar occupies a prime position and He is also a favorite disciple of the first Preceptor of the Universe. Sre Gorakkar rules Kollimalai. (Kollimalai placed in Namakkal district of Tamilnadu) He holds an outstanding place among the Sidhas. He prepared live medicines having longevity of several thousands of years to His credit. He possessed eight mystic powers in full shape.With opium (GAanja) as the basic herb, He was able to prepare medicines capable of curing diseases. 

Goraknath followers are well known as the Ahoorees.The most fearsome yogis of India. They follow a very rigid training and tradition, which is very hard for the modern man to follow.

Sri Sattaimuni 

Sattaimuni is one of the 18 yoga siddhas and was initiated by Nandi Devar & Dakshinamoorthy. His contributions include 46 known works in medicine, alchemy & etc. His disciples include Sundaranandar and Paambatti. He has attained samadhi at Srirangam. 

Sri Sattaimuni Siddhar was bom in Sri Lanka and came to Tamil Nadu. Seeing Maha Bogar in a temple and captivated by his radiance he abandons his family and becomes his disciple. His works in simple language appeal greatly to the common man his works include Sri Sattaimuni Karpam 100 and Sri Sattaimuni Nigandu 1200.

Sri Sundaranandar 

Sundaranandar is one of the 18 yoga siddhas. He was initiated by Sattaimuni & Konkanavar. Some of his contributions include 24 known works: medicine, philosophy etc. He has attained samadhi at Kudal (Madurai). 

Sri Sundaranandar is the disciple of siddhar Sattamuni. It is believed that he got the Siva Linga of siddhar Agastiar, established it in Saduragiri and worshipped it.
Saduragiri Sundara Mahalingam temple comes under the Thaniparai area of Saptur reserve forests in Tamil Nadu. It is located in Watrap, Viruthunagar district. Srivilliputtur is the big city located near Saduragiri. For thousands of years, realized sages and siddhars lived there worshipping the Siva Linga called " Sundara Mahalingam ". " Sundaram " means, the handsome One, " Maha " means great and lingam means " Siva, the Supreme Self ". This mountain shrine is a considered as a dwelling place of siddhars. This can also be attributed to the numerous medicinal plants available in the Saduragiri Mountains . There is also a cave called " Thavasi Parai " in Saduragiri. Sundaranandar and his Guru Sattamuni lived there.