Tuesday 29 November 2016

TAVAYOGI & KALLAR ASHRAM

With the Kallar Ashram geared to celebrate the annual Agathiyar Jayanthi and Guru Puja come 18 December 2016 for the 14th year, it's only appropriate that we share some information on the man and Guru behind the Ashram.

Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal before becoming a mendicant or turavi, used to be a well-known orator often chairing the many talk shows or pattimandrams that was popular with the public. The talent he had as a proficient and convincing speaker was maximized now since he takes the stage again but this time to preach and popularize the path of the Siddhas or Siddhar Margam.

TK Thangarajan as he was known formerly was a successful businessperson managing his cotton industry in Thirupur in Coimbatore. He was into politics and movies too. 

He became a disciple of Chitramuthu Adigal and came to be known as Thaaiveedu Thangarasan. He was a devout follower of Agathiyar and the Siddhas.

Tavayogi had seen the worst of times when his business collapsed as a result of policies and politics in India at that period of time; he had to hit the streets with his family; he became blind overnight, and was on the verge of committing suicide when he formed a determined resolve to belief in Agathiyar and let Him rule his life as He pleases. Soon he regained his sight; his life picked up and he regained his lost treasures. He started an affiliate branch of Chitramuthu Adigal's Aathma Shanti Nilayam, now regarded as Thaaiveedu which was at Panaikulam, in his hometown of Thirupur. He conducted prayers and annadhanam.

Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar who found her way to the Thiripur branch of Chitramuthu Adigal's Thaaiveedu run and managed by Tavayogi, soon was taken to meet Chitramuthu Adigal by Tavayogi. Adigal blessed her that she would make progress in the oratory field. She then teamed up with Tavayogi on their pattimandram tours. Today she too stands as a public figure and a great orator, following in the footsteps of her mentor and Guru.

Tavayogi left the material life voluntarily at the age of 50 just as he had vowed earlier. He handed over the responsibility of managing the company to his son and family and walked out of all the luxuries he had been accumulating all the years. He began traveling on foot, his travels through India brought him to the hills, jungles and caves of Uthiyore, Kolli, Sathuragiri, and Pothigai amongst other auspicious sites of Siddhas. He finally settled in Agathiyar Vanam at the Kallar foothills, on the 9th km of the Ooty-Mettupalayam trunk route where he started an ashram that he named after his guru the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham Thirukovil.

In 2004, Tavayogi accompanied an Indian citizen a Nadi reader to Malaysia. He found his way to Lord Perumal’s temple in Puchong where he gave his first ever talk on the Siddhas in Malaysia, as instructed by Agathiyar. Tavayogi's immediate Guru Chitramuthu Adigal and Paramaguru Jeganatha Swamigal had lived in Malaysia much earlier.

Tavayogi traveled again to Malaysia in 2005 at the invitation of a devotee of Agathiyar. It was in the year 2005 that I met Tavayogi in Malaysia. He was officiating a local branch of the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham in Batu Caves. Ironically, his name was mentioned to me four years prior to meeting him. After having my very first Nadi reading in Malaysia, the Nadi reader Senthilkumar handed me a leaflet appealing for donations from one Thaiveedu Thangarasan towards the building of a temple for Agathiyar in Kallar, Tamilnadu. It turned out that the leaflet was Tavayogi's.

He invited me over to his Kallar Ashram and I took up his invitation arriving after a couple of months after his departure back to India. Mataji used to join Tavayogi at his ashram to perform prayers, and jointly they fed the local villagers, the poor and visitors to the Ashram with financial assistance and donations from the general public. That was my very first experience staying at an Ashram. It was a lovely experience. I was shown the live of a Siddha; I was taken on early morning walks; we bath in the nearby stream that had its source in the mineral and herb-rich mountains of Ooty; I was shown how to conduct prayers to the Siddhas; I was given an opportunity to do charity and feed the poor; and was given an initiation; and Tavayogi and I traveled to numerous places associated with the Siddhas including Siddha samadhis, caves and temples.

Thus began a beautiful relationship between a guru and a disciple. This bond between us grew as Tavayogi and Mataji made frequent visits to Malaysia initiating devotees on the path of the Siddhas and officiating more Peedhams. It was during these visits that Tavayogi took some time off to visit his Paramaguru Jeganatha Swamigal’s samadhi in Tapah; taught me and several others Asanas and Pranayamas; and showed me how to perform rituals like Abhisegam (ablution of the idol) and lighting the sacrificial light or fire (Homam). 

Tavayogi did not have me sit in front of him and preach to me; rather I had to observe and learn from him. I was given an opportunity to watch how he lived. I saw the humbleness in him; the kindness in him; and the simplicity with which he lived. He was not stressed out and often asked me to remain so. He must have guessed that I freaked out under stress. He asked me to be very patient when facing difficult times and circumstances. He asked me to be very patient with people. He asked me to remain calm in the face of problems and danger. He used to sit and entertain all those who came to him. To those who came with problems he did not duel into the problems trying to find ways nor suggests means to overcome it but instead asked that they pray to the Siddhas to help clear these problems. He avoided taking on the Karma of people. 

Tavayogi was not one who easily parts with the intricate workings of the spiritual world although he preaches the basics of the Siddha path to the masses. He once told me I had to wait twelve years before he would part with this knowledge. His ever-faithful aid and disciple Mataji Sarojini Ammal too is waiting patiently for the day where he would reveal this knowledge. 

When Tavayogi and Mataji returned to visit us in Malaysia last June, we arranged for him to oversee several puja conducted by AVM family members at their homes. Besides that Tavayogi conducted Yagams at AVM, the Taneermalai Murugan temple in Taiping and Sri Jeganatha Swamigal's Sivalayam at Tapah. 

Many AVM family members benefitted from the Jeeva Nadi readings when Tavayogi brought the Nadi along with him to Malaysia.

Tavayogi, author of several books amongst them ANDAMUM PINDAMUM, ATMA GNANAM, ATMA TARISANAM, and ATMA THATHUVAM will soon release another book during the upcoming Guru Puja Vizha.

This year is a very memorable year where the Kallar Ashram sees a change in venue moving to a site closer and more accessible to the public made available with donations from many good samaritans. The Sarva Dosa Nivaarana Yagam this year will be held at this new Ashram grounds.


THE KALLAR JEEVA NADI IN MALAYSIA

I had never seen the Jeeva Nadi in possession of Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of Kallar until then, although I was receiving regular Nadi readings at 'home'. When Tavayogi visited Malaysia last June with Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar, we were surprised to learn that they had brought the Jeeva Nadi over with them. After receiving 'the green light' from Agathiyar to commence reading the Nadi for devotees in Malaysia, many who came seeking the Nadi and were blessed with Agathiyar's Arul Vakku. We at AVM too were blessed to have Agathiyar grace our home and speak to all of AVM family through the Nadi. That was my very first time too listening to Agathiyar speak through the Jeeva Nadi.



Just a couple of days back Agathiyar had blessed us at AVM with a Nadi reading through my regular Nadi center. The most compassionate father explained the greatness of his Siddha path and encouraged us to continue with our Puja. He invited us over to his Jayanthi and Guru Puja at Kallar promising to bless all present at the event.


Monday 28 November 2016

AGATHIYAR GURU PUJA PART 2

Agathiyar spoke about the upcoming Guru Puja at the Kallar Ashram in my 55th Nadi reading last night. The most compassionate father officially invited AVM family to his Guru Puja, promising to show his presence, together with the rest of the Siddhas, at the Vizha.



Saturday 26 November 2016

AGATHIYAR GURU PUJA PART 1

Agathiyar's Jayanthi and Guru Puja is just around the corner. This year it falls on 18 December 2016. Temples, Ashrams, Peedhams and individuals all over are making preparations to celebrate this event in a grand way.

Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal of Kallar Ashram has worked hard towards completing his new ashram in time to host this annual event. This year it would be a four day celebration unlike the earlier two day fests.









Meanwhile Thavathiru Kumar Swamigal of the Sri Agathiyar Ashram and his Guru Thavathiru Kaathu Swamigal too will hold a similar event at their Ashram in Periyatadagam, Coimbatore. This event will be held on 18 December 2016 too from 9am till 12 noon beginning with the Vezhvi Yagam and followed by 108 Muligai Abhisegam for Agathiyar and continued with Parvathi Parameswaran Thirukalyanam.













Devotees in Malaysia can participate in a similar event that will take place at the Sri Agathiyar Sannadhi at the Sri Raja Nageswari Amman Temple at Eco City at 7am, and later at 10.30am at Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM) on 18 December 2016.

Tirupattur Sri Brahmapureeswarar Temple






Friday 25 November 2016

FEEDING THE POOR & UNFORTUNATE

The Siddhas encourage us to feed the unfortunate besides doing tapas. Ramalinga Adigal when he came to settle in Vadalur started the Satya Dharma Salai to feed the poor in and around Vadalur.

Following in Adigal's footsteps is Sadhu Janagiraman of Thiruvannamalai. He explains why Adigal built the Dharma Salai and began to feed the masses.



Sadhu Janagiraman while in Malaysia early this year officiated the "Pothigai Meals on Wheels" feeding program at Batu Caves on the turn of the Tamil new year last April, that has been kept alive till today by Sri Krishna of AUM and members of AVM, Thondu Seivom and Amudha Surabhi.


Thavathiru Rengaraja Desigar of Ongkara Kudil, who performs Annadhanam in and around, Turaiyur, has inspired his devotees to follow closely in his footsteps and establish similar missions in their own localities. Today his mission extends beyond the shores of India. Over the years many have initiated and are successfully carrying out this noble service, sharing their wealth, food and time with these unfortunate souls.


On the other side of the globe, we come across numerous organizations spearheading this noble activity of feeding the poor.



https://feedthehungry.org/

On the local front many charitable Malaysians are doing their part too in bringing aid and food to the needy. See http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/urban-poor-make-up-majority-at-soup-kitchens-ngos-say

Mike Meyers who is "Food for the Hungry" Chief Development Officer, having 17 years of experience in non-profit management, with marketing and fundraising experience on five continents writes,
"When my kids were younger, they struggled to understand why I had to fly to different parts of the world for various periods of time for work. Every time I left, I explained that giving isn’t always about monetary donations. Sometimes, it’s about giving of ourselves, our time and our talents to help others. Now, when I leave to catch a flight, they understand that dad is giving back because it is important in helping others." Source: https://blog.fh.org/2016/11/shaping-thankful-hearts/
It is sad to note that,
"The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that about 795 million people of the 7.3 billion people in the world, or one in nine, were suffering from chronic undernourishment in 2014-2016." Source : http://www.worldhunger.org/2015-world-hunger-and-poverty-facts-and-statistics/
but on the other hand, it's heartening to learn that this figure is down 167 million over the past decade and is 216 million less than in 1990-1992 due to numerous efforts by individuals and charitable organizations taking an active role in eradicating poverty around the globe. Source: http://www.stophungernow.org/learn/hunger-facts/ although the Kuala Lumpur City Council 's (DBKL) survey reveals otherwise the situation in present day Kuala Lumpur city.
"The number of homeless people in Kuala Lumpur have increased by threefold, from 600 in 2014 to at least 2,000 people last year, based on a survey conducted by the Kuala Lumpur City Council (DBKL)." Source: http://malaysiandigest.com/features/596717-numbers-of-homeless-people-increased-by-three-fold-in-kuala-lumpur-what-are-we-doing-to-curb-the-problem.html
Let's do our part in a small way by extending aid for a start to those in need in our locality. Let's take up the calling and let's walk the talk. 

Siddha Heartbeat is proud to showcase the help extended by members of AVM through their service orientated arm Thondu Seivom and financial arm Amudha Surabhi and that of AUM's "Pothigai Meals on Wheels" program.





Wednesday 23 November 2016

Monday 21 November 2016

ANNADHANAM

Balachandran Gunasekaran and his family members and relatives set out again on their 7th occasion of feeding or Annadhanam at a home close to their home in Semenyih today. 











Meanwhile I joined Sri Krishna and Sanga Manikam on their monthly rounds within Kuala Lumpur city in distributing food parcels to the homeless, poor and hungry.

Sri and Srimathy Krishna prepared the food at their home and after receiving Agathiyar's blessings Krishna distributed the food parcels with Sanga at the wheels.

Many came towards us to receive the food and drinks. Some called over their fellow mates when they knew that food was being distributed.

Although it was emotionally fulfilling to see the bliss and joy in the faces of the recipients, I was equally sad to see the increasing number of homeless and hungry souls in the capital.

Having gone to the ground with them, I personally witnessed the amount of devotion, dedication and care that these good souls had for the unfortunate. Agathiyar Universal Mission (AUM), United Agathiyan, Agathiyar Vanam Malaysia (AVM), Thondu Seivom and Amudha Surabhi and the contributions of its members made "Pothigai Meals on Wheels" possible. Siddha Heartbeat takes this opportunity to thank all these good souls.



Sunday 20 November 2016

Friday 18 November 2016

THAVATHIRU KUMAR SWAMIGAL

Thavathiru Kumar Swamigal used to exchange photos taken during Puja at his Ashram, the Sri Agathiyar Ashram at Periya Thadagam, Coimbatore on Messenger. When he came to Malaysia recently on the invitation of the Temple of Fine Arts, Sri Krishna brought him over to AVM. During the few minutes we spoke before we started the weekly Guru Naal Puja as it was a Thursday, I realized that we shared certain common principles.  

Swamiji told us that at his Ashram, devotees are encouraged to perform the rituals themselves. When I invited him to take the stand and conduct the Homam and Abhisegam he most humbly told us to go ahead with whatever we used to do. He only participated when we requested him to join us sing a hymn or two. During the interview before the camera I requested him to speak about himself, his experiences and achievements. He most humbly refused saying that his Guru was around. 

These answers made me sit back and acknowledge what a humble soul he was and I began to admire him for I too shared these principles: Create opportunities for devotees to actively participate in the rituals rather than be passive; Never budge into or disrupt another's Puja routine by bringing changes or our ideas into it; When the Guru is around, a disciple should learn to silence himself and become "invisible".

But off the camera he very briefly ran down his life story since I had asked to know.


Swamiji conducted a Homam and Puja in Sri Krishna's home before performing the Yagam and Abhisegam for Agathiyar at the Bangsar Temple with 108 herbs. Agathiyar from AVM too was drenched in the 108 herbs as we brought him over on the request of Sri and Srimathi Krishna.






At the invitation of Dr Thiagarajah from the Sri Mayuranathar Temple/ Pamban Swamigal Alayam in Dengkil, Swamiji performed the Yagam and Puja.




Swamiji with Dr Thiaga (far left), Pamban Maniam Aiya (second from left) and Sri Krishna (far right)

SITTHAR MAHAA VELVI POOJA


The Arul Guru Agathiyar Arul Sitthar Peedam at Bandar Botanik, Klang (Malaysia) will conduct the "Sitthar Mahaa Velvi Poosai" tomorrow, 19th Nov 2016 beginning at 10am with the libation or Abishegam for Agathiyar and Lobama followed by the Sitthar Mahaa Velvi Poosai at 6.30pm till 8.30pm. Devotees are encouraged to bring along milk, sugarcane juice, tender coconuts, pure ghee, Homa Kuttu or herbs to be placed in the Yagam, fruits and flowers for the prayers and sweets for use during Abhisegam and Yagam.




See http://arulgnanajyothi.blogspot.my/2016/11/19112016-sitthar-maha-velvi-poosai.html

KALLAR ASHRAM

The statue of Agathiyar has been installed in the Meditation Hall of the new Kallar Ashram. 





The 18 Siddhas were installed much earlier. 




The Ashram is geared up to celebrate the upcoming Guru Puja beginning 15 December 2016 till 18 December 2016.