The Samadhi Shrine of Sri Pavalakodi Siddhar is located at Sombattu village of Mannadipattu commune of Puducherry. Around 17^th century, this Siddha lived in a forest on the way to Virudhachalam.

Story of Pavalakodi Siddhar

During the time when the French ruled Pondicherry and the British ruled Tamil Nadu, a man named Thalavai Reddiar from Somapattu near Thirukkanur worked for the French government. He also owned farmland in his native village, Mungilpattu. Since the French government did not pay him regularly, he leased out his land to another person.

For many years, the lessee cheated Reddiar by falsely claiming that the land was barren and produced no crops. Later, when Reddiar tried to lease the land to someone else, the lessee claimed he was a co-heir and had ownership rights because of the long-term lease.

The lessee filed a case in the court at Virudhachalam. Shocked and helpless, Thalavai Reddiar struggled to attend the hearings because he could not frequently leave his government job. Some villagers from Mungilpattu even gave false testimony in support of the lessee. As the case dragged on, Reddiar spent heavily on legal fees and nearly lost hope of saving his ancestral property.

At that time, there were no transport facilities. To reach Virudhachalam from Somapattu, people had to walk for two days through dense forests, resting overnight on the way before continuing the journey at dawn.

Meeting with Siddha

On the day of the verdict, Thalavai Reddiar and his friends set out on foot through the forest to attend the court at Virudhachalam. Tired from the journey, they rested under a tree where Reddiar saw a Siddha seated in deep yoga meditation. He prayed to him to resolve his problem. 

The Siddha opened his eyes and said, since you have justice, your case will be resolved successfully. Encouraged by these words, Reddiar worshipped the Siddha and continued his journey with renewed hope.

As soon as they reached the court, the judgment was announced in favour of Thalavai Reddiar. Overjoyed, he believed it was the Siddha’s divine grace. While returning, he stopped again at the same spot in the forest, bowed before the Siddha, and thanked him. But as he prepared to leave, Reddiar and his companions felt deeply saddened at the thought of leaving the Siddha alone in the forest.

Bringing Siddha home

Sensing their feelings, the Siddha asked them what they wished for. Thalavai Reddiar humbly requested, “Swami, why stay alone in this deserted forest among wild animals? Please come and live in our village.”

The Siddha smiled and replied, “There are creatures more dangerous than wild animals living there.” Hesitantly, Reddiar answered, “No Swami, I only called you because I thought if you come to our village, our village would be better”.

Well, if it is the Lord’s command, then I will come to that Sidda Bhoomi, said the siddha. Thalava Reddiyar was so delighted. Since the Siddha was in deep meditation without food, his body was so weak that he couldn’t walk. So they all cut down some trees, made a palanquin, made the Siddha sit on it, and carried him to Reddiar’s house.

After staying for a few days in Reddiar’s house, the Siddha said he could not live like a householder and asked for a separate hut. Reddiar immediately built an ashram hut in the grove opposite his house and requested the Siddha to stay there.

The Siddha remained in deep yogic meditation for months without food or even water. During this time, he performed many miracles — curing illnesses, healing snake bites, and helping villagers in distress. People from nearby villages worshipped him with deep devotion and reverence.

It is also believed that the Siddha sang spiritual songs while in his divine state. Though no written records exist, a few elders preserved these songs through oral tradition and continued singing them across generations.

Name of Siddhar

As the Siddhar’s real name is unknown, people began calling him Pavalangudi Siddhar. Some believe he got this name because he may have lived in one of the two nearby villages, Pavalangodi or Pavalangudi, near Virudhachalam.

Miracles by Siddhar

People in Somapattu still speak about the mystical powers of Pavalangudi Siddhar. Once, he suddenly woke up at 3 AM and said that the big temple chariot in Thiruvannamalai was on fire, which was later found to be true. He also healed a boy who could not walk by applying Vibhuti, and cured a shoemaker suffering from leprosy by asking him to bathe in the Ashram well water. Farmers believe the Ashram well water is sacred and sprinkle it on their fields, during the harvest, and surprisingly, the yield was high.

Samadhi

One day, Pavalangudi Siddhar told Thalava Reddiyar about his final days and said that once he entered deep meditation, a Samadhi should be built around him, as he believed there was no death for him. It is said that he was around 150 years old then. Later, Reddiyar and his son built the Pavalangudi Siddhar Samadhi at Somapattu village near Thirukkanur in the Mannadipattu commune, and worshipped it as a temple.

Living Tradition

Somapattu is a village located about 2 km from Thirukkanur. Every year, on the Vishakha nakshatram day in the Tamil month of Thai, devotees conduct Guru Pooja to commemorate the liberation of Pavalangudi Siddhar. People from nearby villages gather to participate in the celebrations.

The Siddhar Peetam, once in a dilapidated condition, was renovated by local residents a few years ago, and Guru Pooja continues to be performed regularly. Special worship and pujas are also held during Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, and Poornima. During a recent Maha Shivaratri special puja, devotees reported seeing the form of Pavalangudi Siddhar appear in the sacred flame.