Happy Kadaitswami Mahasamadhi Day!
Today we observe the mahasamashi day of Kadaitswami, the dynamic kailasa satguru who revived Saivism in Catholic-dominated Jaffna, Sri Lanka, in the 1800's. Kadaitswami was described as lean and tall, dressed in a dark veshti, carrying an umbrella under his arm. They say he was six feet four inches tall, had curly hair, piercing eyes and a long, pointed nose; his body was gangly, but well formed and of charming appearance. His upadeshas about the greatness of Saivism inspired renewed devotion in the people, who were accustomed to hearing sermons only from the Christian fathers seeking to convert them. Not for a long time had someone stood so boldly in public and said what was in their heart of hearts. Kadaitswami became the voice of their heritage, the protector of Saiva dharma, as he boldly reminded them of the beauties and potencies of their born faith. Over the years, tens of thousands heard him speak from the Vannarpannai platform, and large numbers of those were reinspired to hold fast to their ancient ways of Saivite Hindu life.
During the last few years of his life, Kadaitswami took a liking to a small, privately owned temple to Lord Nataraja in Neeraviady, a few kilometers from the marketplace. A hut was built for him in the compound behind the temple, where he stayed. This became his domain, a place of solitude and communion. He declared to his followers, “This is Chidambaram.”
It was at this spot, on October 13, 1891, Shatabhishak nakshatra, that Kadaitswami made his Great Departure from this Earth plane. Kulandaivelswami was with him in those final moments. He had instructed his shishyas to inter his body in a crypt, as is often done with illumined souls. Kulandaivelswami oversaw the samadhi ceremony and entombment at the site of his hut. Soon afterwards, a large stone was placed on the spot, and pujas to it were regularly conducted by devotees. A year later, in 1892, in keeping with Swami’s orders, a sizable temple was built enshrining a Sivalingam from Benares, India, which took the place of the large stone.
Nearly a century later, when the samadhi temple had fallen into disrepair, a group of boys who played cricket nearby began having dreams about a tall, slim man who told them they should restore the structure. When the parents heard about the dreams, they realized it was Kadaitswami the boys had seen and told them not to play there anymore. The boys rallied together, involved the Chettiar community and in the early 1980s began renovating the temple.
In 1983, during Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami’s last visit to Jaffna, the Kadaitswami Temple committee, mostly youth, invited him to set the first stone for a new tower above the sanctum. He climbed a rickety, bamboo ladder to the top, set the stone and a small puja was performed. The renovations continued and the final consecration ceremony was held in 1985.
Learn more about this famed siddar in this chapter of The Guru Chronicles
To celebrate the day, Chinnu prepared a special feast for the monks, which included papadams, vadai, and payasam:
3 Responses to “Happy Kadaitswami Mahasamadhi Day!”
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September 28th, 2020 at 3:06 pm
Jai Jai Shree Maha Ganesh!
Vanakkam Satguru and all the Swamis!
Thank you all for sharing “Happy Kadaitswami Mahasamadhi Day”. What an extraordinary day it has been today! The last time I was at the Murugan Temple of North America was on January 25, 2020, before my trip to London, Today,Monday, I decided to visit the Murugan Temple of North America instead of tomorrow due to possible chance of rain tomorrow. The reason for my visit to the Murugan Temple was to carry out an order by Lord Nadarajah to submit a laminated version of a song titled “Chidambaranathar Pathikam” which I obtained from London in 2007, from a book called Sivan Temples of Eelam, and which I have been singing since then. Today is also Piradosham and I brought 36 Holy Bilwa leaves to Lord Sundareswarar. After praying to my heart’s content I called Gurukkal Kumar upon my return home and said that I had given by chance 36 Bilwa leaves to Lord Siva. He explained the significance of 36 Holy Bilwa leaves and I was left speechless.
I missed your presence at MTNA this year Swamis, and will be sending you the yearly contribution together with the song for Lord Nadarajah. At these challenging times, I cannot thank you Swamis enough and my Gods for their guidance to all Hindus! I hope the song can be placed at the feet of Lord Nadarajah in Iraivan Temple with a very kind request that I be given a chance to pray at the Shrine of Kadaitswami in 2023 in Sri Lanka! With thanks and eternal gratitude to you all!
Aum Namasivaya!
September 29th, 2020 at 9:55 pm
Aumsivaya
Very nice and fruitful documentation.
Thank you for sharing
Aum
Love from Mauritius!
September 29th, 2020 at 10:19 pm
“AUM”!.