SRI KAMBALISWAMY MADAM (SAMADHI STHALAM)
BACKGROUND
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Sri Kambaliswamy Madam is a sacred Samadhi Sthalam located at Thattanchavady, Puducherry, established over 150 years ago in honor of Akanda Paraipurna Satchidananda Sri La Sri Kambali Gnana Desika Swamigal, one of the great Siddha Yogis of South India.
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Sri Kambaliswamy Swamigal lived in prolonged mauna (silence) and was revered as a Digambari Sannyasin, an accomplished Siddha, and a master of Ashtanga Yoga. Ancient Tamil hymns praised him as “The King of Ashtanga Yoga on the whole Earth” and as a Kalpavriksha, granting solace and blessings to all who sought his darshan.
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He attained Jala Samadhi on the Amavasya day of the Tamil month Marghazi in 1873. His Samadhi was consecrated according to Shaivite tradition with a Shiva Lingam, marking the foundation of Sri Kambaliswamy Madam as a living spiritual institution.
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From its inception, the Madam has functioned not merely as a memorial, but as a center of continuous worship, service, and spiritual transmission.
PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy of Sri Kambaliswamy Madam is rooted in the Siddha–Shaiva tradition, emphasizing:
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Guru–Shishya Parampara (living lineage)
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Inner silence and disciplined yogic life
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Dharma as the foundation of spiritual progress
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Service (Seva) as an expression of realization
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Integration of spiritual wisdom with daily life
Sri Kambaliswamy Swamigal embodied the ideal of complete yogic realization, where Ashtanga Yoga, Siddha wisdom, devotion to Shiva, and compassion for humanity were unified.
The Madam upholds the belief that the Guru remains eternally present through the Samadhi, guiding sincere seekers across generations. The Samadhi Sthalam is thus viewed as a field of living consciousness, not merely a historical site.
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LINEAGE (GURU PARAMPARA)
Sri Kambaliswamy Madam has been sustained through an unbroken lineage of realized masters who preserved its customs, rituals, and spiritual integrity.
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Lineage of Madathipathis:
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Sri Ambalavana Swamigal – First Madathipathi and caretaker of the Samadhi
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Sri Manicka Swamigal
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Sri Shanmugha Swamigal
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Sri Velu Swamigal
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Sri Subramaniya Swamigal
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Sri Shankara Giri Swamigal
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Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri
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Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani (Present Madathipathi)
Each successor was formally entrusted with the spiritual and administrative responsibility of the Madam and was later placed in Samadhi within the sacred precincts, symbolizing eternal Guru-facing-Guru continuity.
Under Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri, the Madam experienced a global revival, becoming an internationally respected center for Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga, cultural education, and spiritual training.
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ACTIVITIES
Sri Kambaliswamy Madam continues to function as a living spiritual institution with daily, annual, and long-term activities.
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Daily Activities
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Guru Pujas
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Naivedyam offerings
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Continuous Deepa (lamp) worship
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Maintenance of Samadhi shrines
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Observance of Shaiva rituals
Annual Observances
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Annual Guru Puja of Sri Kambaliswamy Swamigal
Conducted unfailingly every year on Amavasya of the Tamil month Marghazi (December–January) -
Special pujas for lineage Gurus
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Annadanam (feeding of devotees and the needy)
Educational & Cultural Contributions
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Teaching of Ashtanga Yoga
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Promotion of Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music
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Free yoga and cultural education for thousands of village children
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Preservation of Siddha medicine traditions (historically)
These activities reflect the Madam’s core purpose:
to preserve wisdom, serve society, and guide seekers toward inner realization.