KAILASA

Sathuragiri Hills (Tamil: சதுரகிரி) or Sathuragiri otherwise known as ‘Sundara Mahalingam ‘ is situated around from Srivilliputhur in the Madurai district. The name Sathuragiri came from Chathur (4) Veda (Vedas) Giri (Hill), where all the four Vedas (sacred Hindu Source scriptures that are worshipped as deities) met and formed the hill. Another meaning is that the whole mountain is square (Chathuram) in shape so the name Sathuragiri. This is also called as “Siddhargal boomi”, meaning land of Siddhars. 18 Siddhars (enlightened mystics who radiated the spiritual powers of Paramasiva) lived here. This is a mysterious hill where Siddhars still worship Paramasiva. Madurai was once upon a time Kailaasa, a land of enlightened beings. A few of the enlightened beings are mentioned here:

Sundarananda Siddhar

Sundaranandar Siddhar is one of the celebrated Siddhars among the 18 Siddhas of Sathuragiri Hills. He is the one behind the popularity of Sathuragiri Hills. He disciplined under Siddhar Agathiyar and got a Shiva linga from him, which he installed in Sathuragiri hill as “Sundara Mahalingam” and worshiped it for long. He was born to Navaganda Rishi. Sattaimuni Siddhar is also his preceptor and he learnt Siddha medicine, Siddha yoga, Siddha jnana and astrology from him. He along with his Guru Sri Sattaimuni Siddhar lived in Sathuragiri hills for some time and compiled his works on Siddha medicine and astrology. He has given appropriate predictions on the day of birth, day of attaining puberty etc. In his another work, he has depicted auspicious days for cultivating mango, coconut, banana, sugarcane, lentils etc. for the maximum yield. Manaiyadi Shashtiram put forward by him gives appropriate ways to construct a house to lead a hale and hearty life. His works on poison treatment and preparation of universal salt muppu (muppu means medicine) are valuable to Siddha medicine system. Siddhar Bogar in his work “Bogar 7000” says, Siddhar Sundaranandar is an expert in space travel and deep meditation i.e… Samadhi Yoga. Sri Sundaranandar had two disciples Sri Paramanandar and Vaalai Siddhar. He attained Samadhi (final resting of mortal body) in Madurai.

(Ref.: https://www.tknsiddha.com/medicine/sundaranandar-siddhar/)

Sundaranandar Siddhar Works/Books on Siddha Medicine:

• Sundaranandar Kaaviyam
• Sundaranandar Visha Nivaarani
• Sundaranandar Vaakiya Soothiram
• Sundaranandar Vaithiya Thirattu
• Sundaranandar Kesari
• Sundaranandar Siddha Jnanam
• Sundaranandar Deeksha Vithi
• Sundaranandar Pooja Vidhi
• Sundaranandar Athisaya Kaaranam
• Sundaranandar Sivayoga Jnanam
• Sundaranandar Muppu
• Sundaranandar Thandagam

Sri Ramadevar Siddhar – Azhagar malai Siddhar

Madurai Azhagar Kovil is a sacred place atop a hill in Madurai. Many Siddhars are living there even now. It is said that even if we visit this hill of natural herbs we will be relieved of our diseases. Ramadevar Siddhar, who is one among the eighteen Siddhars, lived in this wonderful Azhagar malai. In the manuscript of Sankaran Koil in Tirunelveli near Madurai, “Pulithevar Puranam”, it is mentioned that Sri Ramadevar Siddhar was in penance in this hill, thousands of years ago. Opposite to Sathuragiri Irattai Mahalingam Sannidhi (Shrine), a cave in which Ramadevar Siddhar was in penance is being worshiped even today.

History of Ramadevar

He was born during the occurrence of the ‘Pooram’ star in the Tamil month of Masi in Nagapattinam in the State of Tamilnadu. He met many Siddhars in the Himalayan forests and with their help he researched the desert herbs of Arabia and learnt the ancient medicinal systems. On the advise of Bhogar Siddhar, who made the deity for Lord Murugan in the world-renowned Pazhani temple out of the powerful mystical substance called nava pashana, he went to Sathuragiri and entered into the state of Samadhi and he researched on desert herbs for ten years. After he went into Samadhi for ten years, his disciples decided that he cannot live for ten years in Samadhi and they left the place. Only one disciple was waiting outside the cave for his Master. Ramadevar was continuing his research on herbs in the state of Samadhi. Even when he was in Samadhi he went to many places without being visible to others.

When he was in Samadhi, he met Kalanginathar Siddhar who shared his experiences of spiritual powers with him. After ten years, he came out of Samadhi and informed his disciple that he will be continuing his research on herbs for another 30 years and so saying, returned to the state of Samadhi. The disciple waited with patience for the Siddhar. After 30 years, the Siddhar came out of Samadhi and in appreciation of his disciple’s patience, shared his knowledge with him. Other disciples who did not have faith in their Master lost their eyesight. They requested for his pardon and regained their eyesight by his sheer grace.

Ramadevar wanted human beings to be healthy when they live their life. So, whoever worships him will have healthy life. He returned to Azhagar malai from Sathuragiri and entered into Jeeva Samadhi (final resting for the mortal body) and continues blessing his devotees from there.

On top of the Azhagar Kovil hills where his Jeeva Samadhi is located, every Saturday, at 12 noon, worship of a Shivalinga happens. Between two rocks there is a small cave with a small Shivalinga. It is a difficult path to go there. Because it is a rough terrain with wild animals people visit it in groups.

Jeeva Samadhis of Siddhars in and around Madurai

There are numerous Jeeva Samadhis (final resting places) in and around Madurai of enlightened mystics and masters who lived here. They manifested the various spiritual powers of Paramasiva and lived with the people of Madurai, keeping alive the enlightenment ecosystem of Madurai established by Paramasiva. Every Jeeva Samadhi radiates the enlightenment energy of that Siddhar and becomes a high energy zone in the enlightenment ecosystem for the people living there.

Following is a brief list of these enlightened beings and where their jeeva samadhi is located in Madurai: