Melmaruvathur Temple

It is a common practice for people to visit the Adhiparasakthi Temple in large numbers to offer their prayers and perform rituals. This temple allows anyone to conduct pujas and abhishekams (ritual offerings) to the goddess, making it an important place of worship, similar to Sabarimala, where devotees come with sacred threads (malas) and offerings (irumudi). Located in Melmaruvathur, Chengalpattu district, the Adhiparasakthi Siddhar Peedam is one of Tamil Nadu’s most renowned temples, drawing devotees daily from across the state. The temple’s origin is considered miraculous.

Melmaruvathur Temple History

In the 1960s, the site where the Adhiparasakthi Temple now stands was home to a single neem tree. Unlike typical neem trees known for their bitterness, this tree bore sweet fruits, and the sap was also sweet. Locals and passersby were astonished and often ate the fruits. Remarkably, those who consumed the sap and fruits were cured of their ailments, making the tree famous in the surrounding areas. In 1966, a cyclone uprooted the tree, revealing a self-manifested stone (Swayambu) from its roots. The local people built a small shrine over this stone and began worshiping it, calling it Siddhar Peedam. For many years, only the Swayambu was worshiped here. However, on November 25, 1977, a statue of Mother Adhiparasakthi was consecrated on a three-foot pedestal near the Swayambu. The statue portrays the goddess seated on a thousand-petaled lotus, with her right leg folded and her left leg extended. She holds a lotus bud in her right hand and shows the chinmudra, a gesture symbolizing knowledge, with her left hand. The thousand-petaled lotus represents meditation, and the chinmudra signifies wisdom. The goddess is adorned with a crown of matted hair. The core philosophy of the Adhiparasakthi Siddhar Peedam is “One Mother, One Humanity,” emphasizing the equality of all people and that Mother Adhiparasakthi is the universal mother. Bangaru Adigalar introduced the tradition allowing women to enter the sanctum sanctorum and perform rituals like pujas and abhishekams. The temple is unique because devotees believe they can directly communicate with the goddess, who, in the form of Adigalar, blessed many and provided divine revelations. Due to numerous miracles and wonders at this temple, devotees began referring to Bangaru Adigalar as “Amma” (Mother).

At the entrance of the Adhiparasakthi Siddhar Peedam, the mantra “Om Sakthi” and a trishul (trident) are installed. Devotees circumambulate the trishul three times before entering the temple to have a darshan of the goddess. Unlike most temples, this one does not have a separate Navagraha (nine planetary deities) shrine. It is believed that the goddess embodies all the powers of the Navagrahas, making it unnecessary to worship them separately.

Putru Mandapam (Anthill Pavilion):

The Putru Mandapam at this temple is highly revered. It is believed that the goddess resides in this anthill in the form of a snake. Even today, devotees who stay overnight in this mandapam have reported seeing the goddess in the form of a snake. To the right of the Putru Mandapam is the Sapta Kanni Temple, established in 1974, which has no roof. The Sapta Kannis (seven maidens) are considered attendant deities of Adhiparasakthi and play an important role in the worship practices at the Melmaruvathur temple. The temple is also recognized as the place where Mother Adhiparasakthi, in the form of Bangaru Adigalar, converses with ordinary people.

Additional Features of the Temple:

• The Melmaruvathur temple is regarded as the confluence of the living samadhis (tombs) of 21 Siddhars (saints).
• There are no distinctions of caste, religion, or race; anyone can enter the temple and worship the goddess.
• Women are allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum and perform rituals such as pujas, abhishekams, and adornments.
• Lighting lemon lamps at the temple’s Nagapeedam is believed to bring prosperity to families and absolve devotees of all sins.
• Angapradakshinam (rolling around the temple) is a significant vow, believed to bless those who perform it with all prosperity. Performing Angapradakshinam during Navaratri and Aadi Pooram is considered a powerful way to absolve sins.
• On Aadi Pooram day, devotees can pour milk on the Swayambu and perform abhishekams with their own hands. Ordinary people are permitted to perform pujas.
• Tamil conferences, yagnas, and kalasa (sacred pot) and lamp pujas are conducted periodically. Yagnas are performed for the welfare of the world.
• There is a separate shrine for Atharvana Bhadra Kali, where devotees pray to be freed from all evil forces.
• Adhiparasakthi Peedams and Sakthi Mandrams have been established worldwide, engaging in various social service activities. Over 5,000 such centers are operating in countries including India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Nigeria, the USA, Zambia, and France.
• It is believed that anyone who observes a strict fast, comes to the Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Temple with irumudi, chants mantras 108 times, and meditates will be protected from all evil forces.