The Supreme Truth and the Purpose of Adheenams

The Supreme Reality—Truth, Knowledge, and Bliss—is beyond ordinary human understanding. Out of infinite compassion, it manifests through enlightened Gurus so humanity can remember, worship, and realize the Divine. The sacred monasteries known as Thirumadams (Adheenams) preserve this spiritual tradition, promote Tamil culture, and guide devotees on the path from worldly life to liberation.

The Divine Descent of Sri Balasiddhar

In the celestial abode of Kailasa, Sangukannar, one of Lord Shiva’s divine attendants, was commanded to descend to the Southern land of India to strengthen the Veerashaiva tradition and spread the wisdom of the Siddhas.

Since he comes  to earth by the divine command he was not born from a human mother . Adorned with sacred ash (Thiruneeru), Rudraksha beads, a simple ascetic garment, the Ishtalinga upon his chest, matted reddish locks, earrings on his holy ears, the gesture of wisdom (Chinmudra) in his right hand, a pouch of sacred ash, and a staff in his left hand, he appeared as a young boy at a place called  Bommayapalayam, situated on the shores of the eastern sea.

Sangukannar manifested as a young child, performed many benevolent acts that benefited the people, and lived by consuming the milk of the Kalli plant  ( milk extracted from cactus plants) as nourishment, he came to be known by the sacred name “Sri Balasiddhar.” As he remained established in the state of supreme spiritual realization (Brahma Nilai), disciples gathered around him, and the place where they resided came to be called “Brahmapuram.” Over time, this name evolved into “ Boomapuram ”, and today it is known as “ Bommaiyapalayam .”

Penance at Mayilam and the Divine Marriage

According to the divine instruction of Sri Naradha Maharishi ,Sri Balasiddhar reached Mayilam Hill. There, after bathing in its sacred springs, he sat in the lotus posture (Padmasana) and performed intense penance directed towards Lord Murugan. Later, Lord Murugan, accompanied by the divine powers, appeared before him, and Sri Balasiddhar continued his austerities to receive the Lord’s grace. But Lord  Subramanya had a different plan. He didn’t show any grace on Sri Bala Siddhar. So Balasiddhar turned his meditation toward Goddesses Valli and Devasena who are   Shakti’s of the Lord.   Recognizing the Bala Siddha’s penance, they both insisted Lord Muruga to bestow his mercy upon him. Lord Muruga refused, being saddened by this reaction the devis  disguised as  Siddha kanniyar and came to Sri Balasiddhar. With his  tapas  he knew  who they were and accepted them as his daughters and took good care of them.

Later, Lord Murugan appeared disguised as a king and engaged Balasiddhar in combat. During the fierce battle, Balasiddhar realized he was facing Murugan Himself. He humbly requested that Murugan once again marry Valli and Devasena so he could witness their divine wedding as their spiritual father. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Murugan fulfilled his wish.

The Birth of Sri Adi Sivagnanabalaya Swami

While residing at Perumukkal Hill, Sri Balasiddhar continued spreading the Veerashaiva path.

A woman named Ammavai belonging to the Chidambaram Pacha Kandha Marabu and her husband longed for a child and dedicated themselves to serving Balasiddhar. Every day Ammavai collected the milk of the Euphorbia plant and offered it to him. After Balasiddhar had consumed it, she respectfully drank the remaining milk.

Through the Guru’s grace, she conceived and gave birth to a son.

As per the advice of Sri Balasitthar, the child grew up under his divine guidance and served him. Realizing the maturity of the child, Sri Balasitthar made him his disciple, gave sanyasa to him, and showered his wisdom. He understood that he had to instill an aspect of himself in him, and he blessed him with the words, “May you be known as the Shiva-Gyanabalayadesikan!”. The disciples of Sri Balasittha followed the Veerashaiva Shaiva  path in the Mayilam and Bommapura monasteries. He  also  blessed them to continue  the Shaiva path  for long time .

Miracles of Sri Adi Sivagnanabalaya Swami

Sri Adi Sivagnanapalaya Swami, the chief disciple of Sri Balasithar and the second seer, performed numerous divine acts and became renowned for his extraordinary compassion and miracles.

Among his many divine acts were:

• Saving a man bitten by a venomous snake using sacred Vibhuti.
• Healing the Nawab’s queen from severe abdominal pain through spiritual power.
• Transforming a pot of white sand into sugar.
• Blessing a childless tailor with offspring.
• Curing blindness, deafness, fever, tuberculosis, hunchback, and other illnesses with sacred ash.
• Restoring black hair to the ruler of Senji’s daughter.
• Blessing the Senji king with victory over his enemies.
• Rescuing even those who opposed him through his spiritual powers.

He is the first lineage of Adi Sivajyana balaya  Swamigal, who received such special qualities and attained Siva Yoga Samadhi on the Visakha Nakshatra of the  Tamil month Vaikasi, Monday in  Bommayapalayam.

The Growth of the Bommapuram Adheenam

Aadi Shivagnana balaya  Swami’s Basmasthapanam (which is also called Odukkam) at Bommapuram Tirumadam and  Sri Vinayaka’s sanctum was renovated and worshipped by the succeeding Gurus.

The renovation of the Sanctum Santorum of lord  Balasubramanya was done by  Sri La Sri Shivagnana balaya Swami  of the 3rd, 13th-19th titles that came down through the lineage of Aadi Shivagnana balaya  Swami.

The Thirukkudamuzhukku festival  ( Kumbabishekam )was held on Sunday, 18th Monday of the  Tamil year.  

Today, the Bommapuram Adheenam continues to uphold the timeless teachings of Sri Balasiddhar and his illustrious successors, preserving the Veerashaiva tradition, nurturing Tamil spirituality, and guiding countless devotees toward the realization of Lord Shiva.