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Long ago, a spiritual seeker named Masilamani later known as Sri Guru Akka Swami came from Sri Lanka to India. He had learned powerful spiritual practices from his guru. Though his guru sometimes instructed him to do wrong actions, Masilamani purified those karmas through devotion and service. Because of his spiritual wisdom and humility, he later became known as Satguru Nath.

The Miracle of the fish

Sri Guru Akka Swami came to India from Sri Lanka. He was taught by a guru and had also learned the powers from him. He stayed at Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, and started taking bhiksha. At that time, Swami Ji was just 22-23 years old. A lady asked him, ” You are very young; why are you taking Bhiksha?” Then, she told him to join Police Force. Swami Ji joined as a Police Constable. The Sub Inspector asked Swami Ji to buy fish for his house. Swami Ji bought it, but he gave the fish to an old lady. The lady kept the fish in a pot filled with water. The next day, the sub-inspector scolded him for not bringing the fish.

Later, Swami Ji told him that if you want the fish, you should go to that old woman and take that pot where she kept the cut fish. However, at that old woman’s house, the cut pieces of fish got regenerated. The Sub-inspector received the fish and went back. Pertaining to his higher goals from life, Swami ji left his job and came to Pondicherry.

The Fisherman devotee: Sri Narayan Pardesi Swami

During the same period, there was another Swami in Pondicherry, Sri Narayana Paradesi  Swami ji. He was a fisherman. Narayana Swami ji was a devotee of deity Manonmanni Amma. He used to come every day to worship her. Afterward, he used to go fishing at the Sea. While fishing, he heard a voice that said, “You are going to get a guru; he is yet to arrive at Pondicherry, you must go and receive him.” Narayana Swami ji went to the Pondicherry borders to receive Sri Akka Swami ji. He told Akka Swami ji that Manonmanni Amma said that he was coming to Pondicherry. Sri Akka Swami ji came to the temple and started worshipping the deity.

Why He Was Called “Akka Swamigal”

One day, while worshipping Manonmani Amman, the Guru had a divine vision. For eight months afterward, whenever he saw a person, he saw the goddess within them and called everyone “Akka” (elder sister). Because of this, people lovingly called him Akka Paradesi and Akka Swamigal.

Vaidyakuppam

Sri Akka Swami ji used to treat people and create medicines. He used to work on Siddhar medicines and was known for treating people. That is why the place was named Vaidyakuppam, meaning village of medicines. Over time, the name was changed to Vaithikuppam.

The Growing Vinayagar Idol

A disciple once asked the Guru for help with his problems. The Guru made a small clay idol and asked him to worship it daily. Over time, the idol miraculously grew bigger. Today, it is worshipped as Akka Swamigal Salai Vinayakar Temple.

Saints and Sacred History

Local traditions say that the Great Sage Agastya once performed yoga at this sacred place. According to legend, after Sri Rama defeated Ravana, he came to meet Rishi Agastya here. Sri Ram said he planned to bathe in the holy Ganges River to cleanse the sin of killing Ravana. Rishi Agastya advised him first to bathe in the sea and then in the Ganga.

Tradition also says Rishi Agastya stayed in three major places in Pondicherry:

• Sri Akka Swami Madam
• Kamakshi Temple
• Villianur Tirukameshwara Temple

Building the Sacred Temple

Sri Narayana Paradesi Swami ji designed the temple structure himself. The temple was built with stones and contained ancient statues of:

• Goddess Manonmanni Amma
• Lord Ganesha
• Lord Murugan
• Rishi Agastya
• Sri Chandikeshwara

The Mahayantra created by Sri Akka Swamigal in the temple is still present at the shrine of the Goddess Manonmani Amman. Pooja is also performed on them daily. Other statues were added later as the temple grew.

The Jeeva Samadhi of the Saints

Sri Akka Swami lived a life of devotion and healing. He took Jeeva Samadhi in 1872 during the sacred time of Ani Thirumanjanam, during the Nataraja Abhishekam. Police records mention that his original name was Maasilamani.

Following the teachings of his Guru, Sri Narayana Swami ji brought the desired Panalingam of the Saligrama type from the holy place of Kashi, the banks of the Narmada River, placed it on the Jeeva Samadhi of his Guru Sri Akka Swami ji, and worshipped it.

Sri Narayana Paradesi Swami lived for about 90 years. He attained Jeeva Samadhi in 1908 during Margazhi Thiruvathirai, under the Rudra Nakshatra.

Both saints are remembered today for their devotion, miracles, and service to people.

Source: Priest of Sri Akka Swami Temple

– Ayyar Giri Venkatesh Sharma