Adhi Parasakthi Siddhar Peetam, Melmaruvathur, Kanchipuram

Adhi Parasakthi Siddhar Peetam, Melmaruvathur, Kanchipuram

Architecture

Legend / Local stories

There is a Woman-Siddha in swayambu form in the place wherefrom Mother Adhi Parasakthi emerged. She is head of all Siddhas. It is believed that a huge number of Siddhas are in this holy soil. Fertile lands are on the northern part of the temple. For the convenience of devotees staying during nights, it was suggested that a thatched roof tent may be built. But Bangaru Adigalar says that permission from Mother could be obtained as still many Siddhas exist under this land. Hence, the temple is called Siddhar Peetam.

Where the current temple’s sanctum sanctorum stands today, there was only a neem tree in the 1960s. Unlike every other neem tree, which bear bitter tasting fruit, this tree secreted and dripped a sweet nectar. Residents of that village found that they had an urge in their mind to taste this nectar whenever they passed by this tree. Since many passers reported of curing their illness and diseases after tasting this nectar, the word spread swiftly to entire village and its neighborhood. So it became a customary for these villagers to take a drop of this nectar to ailing friends and relatives. They treated this as a medicinal tree and protected it from grazing cattle and wood cutters.

In 1966, a severe storm uprooted this neem tree, which exposed the Swayambu underneath to the villagers for the first time. Swayambu means a self-emerging, naturally formed oval shaped object (carved of rock). People built a small hut on top of this Swayambu and conducted poojas (prayer rituals) to it. This place is known as Siddhar Peetam (Siddhar in Tamil language means enlightened or evolved souls. Peetam means throne. Thus Siddhar Peetam means The Throne of Evolved Souls or Great Spiritual Masters/Gurus) where 21 Siddhars are laid in Jeeva Samadhi.

Swayambu alone was worshipped for many years. The idol of Mother Adhi para Sakthi was installed later in the sanctum sanctorum on November 25, 1977. The idol of beautiful Mother is three feet tall, seated on thousand-petal lotus seat, with her right leg folded and the left leg resting on the lotus petals. The thousand petal lotus has significance in meditation. In this idol form, she holds the bud of a lotus in her right hand, the mudra (sign) of knowledge in her left hand and with her hair plait and knotted upwards like a crown.

Temple Opening Time

The temple is open from 3.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 3.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Festivals

• Thaipoosam- January
• His Holiness’ Birthday – 3 March
• Telugu New Year’sDay – April
• Tamil New Year’sDay – April
• Chitra Pournami – April
• Adi Pooram – August
• Navarathri – October
• All Full Moon Days and New Moon days throughout the Calendar Year

Poojas

The timings given are approximate. It may vary on certain special occasions. On Sundays, Tuesdays, Fridays, New moon days, full moon days, and Siddhar Peedam festival days, there will be no break in Darshan Timings.

Prayers

Devotees throng the temple for all prosperity in life. Devotees offer Shakti Mala garlands, carry Irumudi as followed in the Ayyappan prayer model and they do the Anga Pradakshina – rolling around the prakara.

Photo Gallery

How to Reach:

Melmaruvathur is 92 km far from Chennai on the Tiruchi National Highway and falls 25km before the Tindivanam. It’s a straight single road from Chennai and is well connected through train and buses. Nearest Railway Station is located at Melmaruvathur and Nearest Airport is located at Chennai.

Contact Details

Sri Melmaruvathur Adhi Parasakthi Temple,
Melmaruvathur, Kancheepuram District
Phone: +91 – 44 – 27529217