Jeevasamadhis in Puducherry
Sri Vannarapa Pardesi Swami
In the sacred land of Thirukasi, where the gentle waters of the Shankaraparani River flow, there lived a mysterious saint known as Mahan Vannara Paradesi Swamigal. No one knew where he came from. No one knew his family. But everyone knew one thing—he was no ordinary man.
The Greatness of Thirukasi
Thirukasi is a sacred place believed to remove ignorance, increase wisdom, and free devotees from the cycle of birth. It is said to have been worshipped by celestial beings like Surya and Brahma through Shiva Puja.
The Shiva Linga here is believed to be self-formed (Swayambhu), created naturally from rocks colliding in the holy Ganges River. Later, the King and Minister of the Thondai region brought and consecrated it.
Sacred River – Papanasini Theertham
The holy Shankaraparani River, also known as Samudra Kamini, is revered as “Papanasini Theertham”, meaning remover of sins.
This river is “Uttaravakini” which means a rare phenomenon where a river flows from north to east. The Shankaraparani River is considered as sacred as Varanasi, making Thirukasi a powerful Mukti (liberation) site.
This temple is unique as Murti (deity facing east), Sthalam (place), and Tirtha (water) are all present together.
The Miracle of the Ashes
In ancient Thondai Nadu, a head Brahmin longed to visit Kashi. When that wish was not fulfilled, and he was on the verge of death, the King of Thondai Region and the Minister went to ask him for his last wish, which turned out to be “after my death, dissolve my ashes in the Ganges”.
The king and his minister honored his wish and began their journey north. On the way, they stopped by the Shankaraparani River. There, something unbelievable happened. The ashes turned into a beautiful flower. The minister witnessed it in silence.
Later, when they reached Kashi and immersed the ashes, nothing happened. Only ash remained. Confused, the minister revealed the earlier miracle. At that moment, a divine voice echoed, saying that the previous place where the miracle took place was Thirukaasi, which is equal to Kashi.
Realizing the truth, they returned to Thirukasi, where once again the ashes bloomed into flowers. They also brought a Linga Thirumeni(form) from there. The King, the minister, and the devotees saw Lord Shiva risen on Nandi Vahanam. After that, they consecrated Kashi Viswanatha and worshiped him.
Life of Mahan Vannara Paradesi Swamigal
Vannara Paradesi Swamigal lived around 221 years ago, and was born on an auspicious Rohini Nakshatra Chitrai month. He was devoted to the Thiru Kasi Viswanadha and always immersed in meditation. He lived in Govindaswamy Pillai’s house in Odiyampatt.
Swamigal was known for extraordinary spiritual powers. He could change form, had Mastery of transmigration (entering another body), and traveled from the Himalayas to Kanyakumari. He performed countless miracles.
The Siddhar’s Grace
Miracle of the Thief
One night, a thief tried to steal groundnuts from a Govindaswamy Pillai field. As he lifted the sack, his body froze. He stood there all night—unable to move.
By morning, the Govindaswamy Pillai arrived. At that very moment, Swamigal released the thief from his invisible grip.
The thief fell at Pillai’s feet and asked for forgiveness.
The Journey Without Moving
Swamigal loved children deeply. One day, two little children cried because they couldn’t attend a grand chariot festival. Swamigal looked at them gently, held their hands— and in a moment, they were standing before the grand chariot of Lord Murugan. Before they could even understand what happened, they were back home again. The children joyfully described everything, astonishing the elders. To them, it was joy. To others, it was a miracle.
The Mystery of Transmigration
Swamigal had the rare Siddhi of leaving his body and entering another. He would separate his head, arms, and legs. Leave his body safely. Travel spiritually. Return and reassemble his body. He does this mostly at night. He avoided being seen during such acts, especially by children.
Jeeva Samadhi and Eternal Presence
During the devastating Cyclone Thane (2011), when trees were damaged, leaves scattered everywhere a sacred lamp at his shrine continued to burn steadily.
Not a flicker disturbed it. This is seen as a powerful sign of his divine presence.
The Lesson of the Siddhar
The devotees wear white clothes at Jeeva samadhi. They Chant:
“Arutperunjyothi! Arutperunjyothi!”
Light ghee lamps, Thursdays are special days for worship
Swamigal followed Samarasa Sanmarga, treating all equally.
Swamigal taught no scriptures. He wrote no books. But his life spoke a simple truth: Treat everyone equally, Never judge others, Serve with compassion, Believe with all your heart Because sometimes…The stranger beside you, the poor man you ignore,or the silent traveler you overlook— might just be the saint himself.
Guru Puja and Rituals
In this Thiruthalam, every year in the month of Chitrai, on Rohini Nakshatra auspicious day i.e. the day of incarnation of Vannara Paradesi Swamigal, Maha Guru Puja festival and Annadana is held. Thiruvilakku Pooja also takes place that evening.
Devotes do a 48-day Vratham, wear white, follow a vegetarian diet, and light a lamp daily.People believe that with the blessings of Siddha,marriage obstacles (Doshas) are removed, Mental illness can be cured by staying on full moon nights, and wishes are fulfilled through sincere prayers.
The temple located at Odhiambattu is maintained by the descendants of Govindaswamy Pillai, who continue Monthly Pusam Nakshatra Pooja, Abhishekam, and Annadanam.