In a shocking turn of events, the revered Kattu Siva Siddha Viddha Abhyaasa Temple in Tiruvannamalai witnessed the overnight demolition of 13 sacred tombs and the closure of a perennial well, creating a wave of distress among devotees. It is alleged that the land was levelled to create space for car parking.
The temple, known for its spiritual significance and monthly gatherings, was dedicated to the memory of Kattu Siva Siddhar and his disciples. The sacred space, located on 6 acres and 81 cents of land, had been a site for meditation, prayer, and monthly rituals performed in honour of Kattu Siva and the 13 disciples, whose Jeeva Samadhi (burial site) had been erected there.
According to historical accounts, Kattu Siva, a Siddhar known for his mystical abilities, performed penance in the forests near the hill close to Tiruvannamalai’s Girivalam route. Devotees believed in his power to manifest and disappear at will, appearing only to those who sought his presence. A cave in the forest and a pond, named after him, served as markers of his spiritual practices.
From 1957 to 2019, samadhis of 13 people – ‘Vellore’ Krishnasamy, his wife Rajalakshmi, Govindasamy, Krishnananda, Santhammal, Mani, Thanakkotti, Karadibaskar, another Govindasamy, Suresh, Pazhani, Nithyanandar, Sivananda – were raised at this site.
A foundation was established there under the name of Kattu Siva Siddha Viddha Abhyaasa Temple and every month on the occasion of Kattu Siva Siddha’s birth star Kiruthigai, special poojas are performed and annadanam (free food) is served.
இரவோடு இரவாக 13 ஜீவ சமாதிகள் மற்றும் கிணறு ஆகியவற்றை அகற்றிய அரசு அதிகாரிகள். பொதுமக்கள் அதிர்ச்சி…! சினிமாவை மிஞ்சும் சம்பவம். ஹிந்துக்கள் முன்னோர்களை வழிபடுவதையும், அடையாளங்களையும் முற்றிலுமாக அழித்து மதமாற்றத்திற்கு உதவி செய்கிறது இந்த திருட்டு திராவிட அரசு…… pic.twitter.com/HkIxpDODrV
— Krishnaraj (@Krishna73674119) November 18, 2023
The controversy arose when revenue officials allegedly levelled the sacred site for a car parking space for the upcoming Karthigai Deepam festival. Shocked administrators of the Kattu Siva Siddha Vidha Abhyasa Temple expressed their dismay, claiming that the demolition was carried out without their knowledge or consent.
Speaking to Thanthi TV, one of the administrators said, “This is a property owned by Kattu Sivasamy. There are 13 Samadhis of disciples of the lineage of Kattu Sivasamy from 1974 to 2021. Every month, we rebuild these Samadhis and pray/meditate here. We offer Annadanam to all the people who come here every month. There was a big well in the corner and we used the water from that well. Last night, the well was removed and 13 Samadhis were destroyed. Those 13 Samadis represented our Gurus who blessed us, we pray to them to fulfill our needs.”
He further added “Every month, atleast 70-80 people from all over Tamil Nadu would gather here and meditate, we would do this without any hubbub. We would even take away the shamiana we hoist. Today, those 13 Samadhis are missing and so is the well. Please take this request of ours to the government to help us reestablish this Samadhi so that we can carry out our monthly duties here. We request that we are able to continue our meditation activities on the Samadhis of the 13 disciples of our Guru Swami Sivananda Paramahamsa. They have destroyed the 13 Samadhis, this place looks like a levelled ground now. The locals here say that government officials have done this overnight. We request the government to help us find out who did this.”
The administrators stated that they had maintained the land for the Jeeva Samadhi, emphasising the spiritual significance of the 13 disciples’ resting places. They pleaded with the government to allow the reconstruction of the Samadhis, highlighting the cultural and religious importance of the site.
Devotees, deeply connected to the spiritual rituals performed at the temple, voiced their anguish over the sudden destruction of the tombs and the well, which had been a vital resource for the community. Monthly gatherings, meditation sessions, and Annadanam (charitable food distribution) were regular practices at the sacred site.
Devotees and administrators are seeking answers and urging authorities to facilitate the reconstruction of the Jeeva Samadhi and the preservation of the spiritual practices that have been disrupted by shocking events.
(with inputs Thanthi TV from Agni Murasu)
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