Kallar Ashram that greeted and took me in its shade, giving me my very first ashram experience is set to move once work on the new temple complex is completed in a year's time. Tavayogi Thangarasan Adigal, founder and guru of the Sri Agathiyar Gnana Peedham and his foremost disciple Mataji Sarojini Ammaiyar are currently busy supervising ongoing preliminary earthworks at the new site.
Kallar Ashram, the grounds where Agathiyar's Guru Puja and Jayanthi celebrations have been carried out annually will see a new bigger and more spacious venue to host this two day event.
I was fortunate to meet Tavayogi in Malaysia in 2005. Subsequently I ventured to visit his ashram upon receiving his verbal invitation besides making a pilgrimage to other temples directed by Agathiyar in the Nadi. When I began to inform him over the phone of the numerous places of worship that was listed in the Nadi, he interrupted telling me that he would take me wherever I need to go.
After visiting my very first guru Supramania Swami in Thiruvannamalai, I arrived at Kallar to be greeted by Tavayogi. It was a very modest ashram with only the very bare facilities. There was no electricity and water. The thatched roof and a three feet brickwall provided shelter from rain and shine and protected us from the animals respectively. It also housed the single granite structure, Aaru Aathaara Peedham. A shed adjoining the Peedham was used as a kitchen. A zinc cabin that was to be our quarters was placed alongside. There was a single latrine and toilet for foreigners use. Tavayogi slept inside the Peedham.
Mataji used to travel from her hometown to serve Tavayogi and visitors at the ashram when called upon. The Government was in the midst of building homes for the natives on the grounds beside the ashram. These move brought electricity and water supply to the vicinity of the ashram and an opportunity for Tavayogi to feed these people. Tavayogi extended his hand to provide clothings and stationeries to the kids too.
After visiting my very first guru Supramania Swami in Thiruvannamalai, I arrived at Kallar to be greeted by Tavayogi. It was a very modest ashram with only the very bare facilities. There was no electricity and water. The thatched roof and a three feet brickwall provided shelter from rain and shine and protected us from the animals respectively. It also housed the single granite structure, Aaru Aathaara Peedham. A shed adjoining the Peedham was used as a kitchen. A zinc cabin that was to be our quarters was placed alongside. There was a single latrine and toilet for foreigners use. Tavayogi slept inside the Peedham.
Mataji used to travel from her hometown to serve Tavayogi and visitors at the ashram when called upon. The Government was in the midst of building homes for the natives on the grounds beside the ashram. These move brought electricity and water supply to the vicinity of the ashram and an opportunity for Tavayogi to feed these people. Tavayogi extended his hand to provide clothings and stationeries to the kids too.
Tavayogi initially held the annual prayers to commemorate the establishment of the Peedham, later seeing the adverse effects that the furious weather had had on the people and the surroundings, he decided to perform the Maha Pirapanja Yagam. This became an annual affair with 5 yagams or sacrificial fire pits lighted. Slowly it evolved into the Sarva Dosa Maha Nivarana Yagam that was meant to eradicate diseases and illnesses, bringing good health to all participants and the surroundings besides calming down nature. The number of yagams too was increased to 108 to enable more devotees to participate.
With more people coming to know of the existence of this ashram, both in India and Malaysia, these devotees began to contribute towards the upkeep and expansion of the temple complex. A dining hall, meditation hall, a bigger kitchen and more latrines, bathrooms and toilets were built. What was once an earth floor was cement rendered and later was tiled.
Mataji was instructed to bring over to Kallar Ashram a granite statue of Agathiyar that she had made on the instruction of Agathiyar in the Nadi many years ago. Well wishes made a fiber statue of Agathiyar and later that of Thava Murugan too. Agathiyar on his part sent a sadhu to deliver a majestic rudraksham that is worshipped as a Shivalingam. Tavayogi was gifted with a Jeeva Nadi where devotees have their queries answered.
The modest ashram has grown in its size of its devotees and its only appropriate that it moved to a larger facility. Agathiyar granted Tavayogi's wish when devotees came forward to assist in purchasing a new ground. Let us come forward to do our bit for Agathiyar by erecting a beautiful monument of worship and gain his blessings.
