This is a sadhana place of Konganar Siddhar
There is a place to sit and meditate. You can go into meditative states here effortlessly.
How to get there
It is located between Erode and Salem, 31.1 kms North East of Erode. It is best to travel on your own transport. A hike of around 5 to 10 mins is involved to reach the cave. Start the hike from the north side of the hill.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/wY2cvHyNvMW3v29C9
About Konganar Siddhar
Siddha Konganar was said to be born in Kongu Nadu (currently comprising the western part of the Tamil Nadu). Hence his name Konganar, which means ‘from the land of Kongu’. His place of birth is believed to be a small village called Oothiyur, presently in Erode district of Tamil Nadu. His parents were from a poor economic background with their livelihood dependant on forging and selling vessels in front of temples in the village. Amazingly this place is still famous for forging of metals into idols or any instruments. Their economic struggle did not stop them from serving Yogis and Saints who crossed their humble household. Siddha Agastyar, in his Biography on Konganar, describes Siddhar Konganar’s parents as pious and virtuous. Siddha Bogar has mentioned the birth details about Konganar:
வட்டமுடன் சித்தரையாம் திங்களப்பா
வளமான உத்திராடம் முதற்கால் தன்னில்
அட்டதிசைதான் புகழப் பிறந்த பாலன்
அன்பான கொங்கணவர் என்னலாமே
என்னவே அவர் பிறந்த நேர்மையப்பா
எழிலான சங்கர குலத்து உதித்த
பன்னவே கானீனன் பெற்ற பாலன்.
This states that Siddha Konganar was born in the month of Chitra, under the asterism Uttradam first Pada in the Sankara Kula. Apart from this not much details is known about Siddha Konganar’s birth and childhood except what is detailed in the works of Siddhar Agastya called Agasthiyar 12000.
Konganar was one of the disciples of Siddhar Bogar. There was no mention when he met his Guru. But he fondly and proudly calls Siddha Bogar as his own parent: என்னை ஈன்ற போகர். Siddhar Bogar also describes Konganar as the first and best disciple among his students. He learned Siddha Medicine System under Siddhar Bogar and became a powerhouse of knowledge. His contributions include 25 known works in medicine, yoga, philosophy, religion etc. He also learned the gospels of Siddha from Agathiyar.
During his study period, Konganar Siddhar excelled in alchemy, Siddha Yoga, Siddha Gnana philosophies, Siddha meditation and also as a physician. He compiled numerous treatises on alchemy and medicine, which is way ahead of the modern discoveries and innovations in the field of chemistry and medicine. Though from a humble background, just by his austerities, strong mind and willpower he raised himself to the level of a great Siddha. He was conferred the title “Father of Medicinal Chemistry” in the realm of Tamil Siddha Medicine System. Later he became a Guru himself and had 557 disciples. He is so compassionate and reaches out to fulfill the material needs of his disciples and also those who seek his blessings. His compassion is explained in a story which also exemplified the Dharmic nature of the life of Siddhas.
Konganar had a friend with the name Sivavakiyar, who was also a great Siddha. Konganar felt very bad that his friend, who is a Master Siddha, was living a life of poverty. So one day he went to Sivavakiyar’s home, knowing that Sivavakiyar would not be available. He asked Sivavakiyar’s wife to get some Iron and turned the same into Gold and left after handing over the Gold to her. Sivavakiyar’s wife narrates the incident to Sivavakiyar after his return. Sivavakiyar asks his wife on whether she wants the Gold. His wife replies that his love is all that she wants and not the gold. Then he asks his wife to drop the gold in the well and his wife also obliged wholeheartedly.
There is also another local legend that is said in connection with Siddha Konganar. The story is also retold in the Mahabharata by Lord Markandeya to the King Yudhishthira, with the mention of the name of the Muni as Kaushika. It is possible that they both refer to the same person. The story is told to reinforce the need for humility especially for Siddhas who will attain great Siddhis in their walk towards enlightenment.
One day, while Siddha Konganar was doing his Sadhana, a crane was sitting on a branch above his head and its droppings fell on his lap. Enraged at being disturbed during his meditation, he looked at the bird, which immediately was burned into ashes. This incident made him take pride in the powers he obtained out of his penance.
It was customary for Konganar to beg for food. On the day he burnt the crane, he decided to visit a house (in Tamil Nadu, it is considered as the house of the poet Thiruvalluvar, author of Tamil classic Thirukkural). In the household, the wife was serving her husband when the Sage arrived. On hearing Konganar call for alms, she called out to him to wait until she had served her husband. Konganar was annoyed at the delay. He thought to himself, “If only the poor lady knew that I am a great saint and have the power to burn a bird by merely looking at it, she would not keep me waiting”.
When she finally came out, Konganar looked furiously at her. Nothing happened, Konganar looked puzzled. The woman, on seeing him puzzled uttered the following “கொக்கென்று நினைத்தாயோ கொங்கணவா?” meaning did you think that I am a stork (so you can burn). Konganar was amazed. The incident had occurred deep in the forest and no one had witnessed it. Yet a woman from this house knew about it. He bowed humbly before her and asked her how she knew. She said, “Go to the house of the butcher, who lives down the road, and he will enlighten you”. The sage immediately did so. The butcher was bathing his old and blind parents and hence could not give the saint his immediate attention. But this time Konganar`s curiosity was so great that he waited without getting annoyed.
After serving his parents the butcher brought food for the saint and said, “Oh holy man, please eat my humble food and I shall tell you why the wife of the household you went, asked you to see me”. Normally, Konganar would not have had anything to do with a butcher, but now he was willing to do anything to get at the truth behind the extraordinary powers of an ordinary housewife and a butcher. After a good dinner, Konganar asked him, “Please tell me the secret of the powers that you and the wife have”. The man replied, “We have no extraordinary powers. We say what we feel, and we feel for others as much as we feel for ourselves. We carry out our duties to the best of our abilities. There is nothing more than that”. On hearing this, Konganar bowed down low in reverence to the butcher and said, “Teacher, you have enlightened me, I shall always be grateful to you”.
Though it is a local legend, it still teaches us many important lessons that we will need in our spiritual journey called Life. He lived for long and performed astounding miracles and discoveries in the field of Siddha science for the benefit of mankind and world. He entered Jeeva samadhi at Thirupathi in Andhra Pradesh.
Now let us study a few verses from Konganar Siddhar’s Tamil poems from “Mei Jnanam”. Siddhar Konganar gives direct instruction to specifically work on 13 limitations that hinder the growth of sadhakas.
Read More
https://www.anaadifoundation.org/blog/parnika/siddhar-charithiram-konganar/
