Vallalar Temple, Vadalur

The Vallalar temple is in Vadalur, Cuddalore district and is dedicated to Sri Ramalingaswamigal. Known as Vallalar, he was instrumental in educating people and upholding the principles of religion to encourage unity among different communities. Vallalar was a tremendous social and spiritual reformer. He is one of the most popular saints of the 19th century. He is believed to be an incarnation of Siddhar Thirumoolar. 

Architecture

The temple called Satya Gnana Sabha (Temple of Wisdom) is built in an octagonal shape and resembles a lotus. There are no idols but excellent positive vibrations. Importance is given to the Jyoti (Light). There are doors and windows through which one can see the light at the altar, with five steps leading to the altar on four sides. Seven colourful curtains hang before the light, and unless they are moved, one cannot perceive the light. 

There is an outer wall, and the whole space is fenced with iron chains in duplicate, having 21,600 links as we breathe 21,600 times a day. There are three Sabhas:

·Chirchabai, which represents the Moon or left eye of people

·Porchabai or golden sabha, which represents the Sun or the right eye of people

·The Gnana Sabha, which represents the Third Eye or wisdom of the people

There is the Jeeva Samadhi of Kalpatttu Ayya near the Dharam Shala. He was the second Sanmargi (Morally & Spiritually Good Individual) to attain Deeksha from Vallalar.

Legend

Sri Arutprakasha Ramalinga Vallalar was born on October 5, 1823, to Ramiah and Chinnamai, residents of Marudur. His mother fed one hungry individual daily before she partook in a meal, which inspired Ramalinga later in life. At five months of age, his parents took him to the Chidambaram temple, where the infant was drawn to the holy light of the Deeparadhana. His father passed the next month, and the family moved to Madras, where his older brother Sabhapati took charge of the family.

Ramalingam preferred writing poems instead of attending school and being ostracized by his brother; he stayed away from the house. His kind-hearted sister-in-law, Papammal, gave him a room at the top of the house with a mirror and a lamp for him to study. He connected deeply with the Divine, and the Eternal Light (Arut Jyoti) filtered through the mirror, bestowing him with abundant grace. He obtained the omniscient power from God himself. He was nine years old and wanted everyone to experience this Divine light. 

History

Vallalar built the temple on January 25, 1872, called the Satya Gnana Sabha (Hall of True Knowledge). He established the Satya Dharam Shala on May 23, 1867, providing unlimited food five times a day to devotees and visitors, a practice still followed today. The oven in the Dharam Shala, lit by Vallalar in 1867, has yet to be extinguished, and Annadhanam is performed daily. 

Vallalar established the Samsara Suddha Sanmargam (Society for Pure Truth in Universal Self-Hood) in 1865. This ideal religion accommodates humanity and practices the path of goodness and harmony. It propagates an active life full of Universal love, light, truth, joy, knowledge, and compassion for life. He started the Jyoti Darshan (Lamp Darshan) on Thai Poosam day (January-February) in 1872. He hoisted the Sanmarga flag (Flag of Righteousness) in 1873 at Siddha Vilaga in Mettupakkam near Vadalur. 

There is a locked room called Tirukkapitta Arai. Vallalar entered this room on the 19th day of the Tamil Thai month (January-February) in 1874 and united with the Arut Jyoti. He attained Samadhi in this room.

Significance

He stated that God helps everyone like a lit lamp, so he lit the lamp before the design. The Arutperunjyoti Agaval, written by Vallalar, is engraved here. The lamp lit by Valalar continues to burn perpetually. A mirror is placed in front of the lamp, and curtains of black, blue, green, red, gold, white, and others cover this space. The eternal flame can be seen in the mirror’s reflection when the curtains are moved. It teaches us that we can see the light within us if we erase the seven bad traits. 

At this temple, people are granted relief from all types of ill health. One of the main activities of this temple is to provide unlimited food five times a day to all devotees and visitors. Even birds are fed. Devotees sprinkle the Theenchuvai water (Theenchuvai Canal built by Vallalar) on their heads, which cures diseases and health issues. There is a home for older people where older people can spend their last days. 

Vallalar uses the term ‘Jeevakarunya, ‘ which means profound compassion, which is his fundamental trait.

Festivals

The Jyoti Darshan (Sacred View of Divine Light) is a prominent feature of the Thai Poosam festival celebrated at the temple in January-February. Only on this day can the devotees have the darshan after removing all seven curtains in the Gnana Sabha (Wisdom Hall). They remove the seven curtains at six different times.

On Poosam star days, three Darshans are shown at 8:00 pm, removing only six curtains.

Timings:

6:00 am – 6:00 pm

Connectivity

By Road– Vadalur has frequent buses to other towns and cities. 

By Rail– Panruti is the closest railway station, 26 kilometres away.

By Air– The closest airport is Pondicherry Airport, 42 kilometres away.