Kailaasa Paramparagatha Suvarnapeetha Sarvajnapeetha Swargapuram Samrajyam

The Ancient Kingdom of the Cheras in South India

The Kailaasa Paramparagatha Sarvajñapiṭha Suvarnapeetha Swargapura Samrajya is located in the South of India, predominantly in the state of Kerala. The Swargapura Samrajya (State and Spiritual Kingdom), was established by Paramaśiva who incarnated as Swarna Siddhar in Tiruvannamalai. From its original founder Bhagavān Śrī Paramaśiva and currently His Divine Holiness Bhagavān Śrī Nithyananda Paramaśivam, The Swargapura Samrajya represents an authentic spiritual ecosystem and kingdom.

History of Swargapuram Aadheenam

The Kailaasa Paramparagatha Sarvajñapiṭha Suvarnapeetha Swargapura Samrajya (spiritual and religious kingdom), was established by Paramaśiva and revived in the 12th century by the Mahan (great Seer), Sri La Sri Azhagiya Tiruchittrambala Desikar (seen in the photograph on the left). He was the son of Śiva Tiru Śivajnana Desika Ācāryar and Sivakamasundari. He attained enlightenment at the age of 7 with his Guru, the Sage Thamba.

The presiding deity is the deity of Paramaśiva and His Divine Consort (Seen on the right). The deities are called Arulmigu Maruthuvaneshwarar Swami and His Consort Sri Atchayanayaki Amman.

Sri La Sri Azhagiya Tiruchittrambala Desikar
One of the presiding deities, Arulmigu Maruthuvaneshwarar Swami
One of the presiding deities, Sri Atchayanayaki Amman the Consort of Arulmigu Maruthuvaneshwarar Swami

The Kailaasa Paramparagatha Suvarnapeetha Sarvajnapeetha Swargapuram Samrajyam was established by Paramasiva and revived by Sri la Sri Azhagiya Thiruchittrambala Desika Bandara Sannadhi, who hails from the direct lineage of Paramaśiva, through his guru, Sage Thamba, one of the 18 sages in Hindu History.

The Aadheenam is located in the Tiruvarur district, Nannilam Circle which was a region falling within the reign of the Chera Kingdom or Dynasty.

The Chera King at the time had a daughter who had fallen fatally ill. On being approached by the King for healing, the powerful Sage Thamba healed her even before the king verbalised the reason for which he had approached the Sage. Out of sheer gratitude for this selfless act, the king decided to bequeath the sage Thamba with wealth, land and facilities, which the Sage gave to his disciple, Sri la Sri Azhagiya Thiruchittrambala Desika Bandara Sannadhi.

The Chera Kingdom

The Kingdom of Swargapura flourished with abundant lands, an anna daan mutt, educational institutions, charity organisations, felicitation of scholarly poets, helping the needy who come to the mutt, flourishing of teachings of Saiva Siddhanta, hospitals, giving protection and helping the orphans, a spatika (crystal) Linga and the pūjā methods to offer worship to it, teaching the traditions specific to the lineage of acharyas (rulers), and enlightenment.

The 22nd Pontiff Sri La Sri Dandapani Desika Pandara Sannadhi, offers his everyday worship, to the presiding deities of this Spiritual Seat, keeping the enlightenment eco system aliv
The deities of the Swargapuram Aadheenam

Founder and Reviver of Swargapuram Samrajyam

Founder

Bhagavān Śrī Paramashiva

Paramaśiva, the Cosmic Source and ultimate Divinity, started the Swargapuram Samrajyam, both the state and the spiritual kingdom.

It is from Bhagavan Sri Paramaśiva, the Primordial Source, who incarnated as Swarna Siddhar in Tiruvannamalai that the kingdom was established. Paramaśiva’s establishment was revived in the 12th century by the Mahan (great Seer), Sri La Sri Azhagiya Tiruchittrambala Desikar. He was the son of Śiva Tiru Śivajnana Desika Ācāryar and Sivakamasundari. He attained enlightenment at the age of 7 with his Guru, the Sage Thamba. The presiding deity is the deity of Paramaśiva and His Divine Consort. The deities are called Arulmigu Maruthuvaneshwarar Swami and His Consort Sri Atchayanayaki Amman.

Sri Swarna Siddhar

Sri Swarna Siddhar, incarnation of Paramaśiva in deity form

Power manifestation to help the people

The Swargapuram Aadheenam is built on the Samādhi (final resting place) of the great Swarna Siddhar (Seen in picture in deity form). Paramasiva Himself incarnated as this Sage, taking birth in Tiruvannamalai, South India. He lived as an extraordinary spiritual power manifestor helping the poor and needy with his spiritual powers, manifesting gold for them.

Appeasing the wrath of Bhadrakali

Hindu history records that there were two demons who roamed the area where the Kingdom stands today. In order to slay these demons, Goddess Pārvati, the embodiment of Feminine Superconsciousness, descended in a ferocious form called Bhadrakali. At that time, Swarna Siddhar Mahan was in the midst of astral-travel over this region. He landed in the spot to pay obeisance to the Divine Mother. He requested her to reveal her shantarūpa, her serene form which itself would destroy the negativity and enlighten people. To please her, he performed the Svarna maha yagam – a powerful fire ritual. Pleased by him, Goddess Pārvati shed her ferocious form and blessed him.

Disciples seek him out

Meanwhile, drawn by the powerful vibrations of his chanting, the Siddhar (mystics) who were meditating nearby namely Suryananda Siddhar, Kurmananda Siddhar, Swarupananda Siddhar, Sangili Siddhar, Sattanatha Siddhar sought him out and spoke thus, “You are the Mahānubhāva (Great Saint) who pacified the Mahādevī (referring to Bhadrakāli) who could not be pacified by anyone.” So saying they humbly requested him to accept them as his disciples. They then took leave from him.

The king surrenders

The Swarna Siddhar gave refuge to princes who fled their kingdoms when conquered by the powerful kings. He empowered them to successfully win their kingdoms back. Disapproving Swarna Siddhar’s act, the king sent his men to find him but in vain. However Swarna Siddhar himself sought out the king in his kingdom. Using his spiritual powers, the Siddhar subjugated the king. The king surrendered to his powerful Presence and gave him all his territory. The Siddhar then divided the territory appropriately.

He and his attain Jīva Samādhi

Swarna Siddhar left his body along with the rare and powerful naagam (a snake that used to live with him). Cognising through their power of enlightenment that the Siddhar has attained jīva samādhi (rested his body), the five disciples also attained jīva samādhi (final resting) in their respective places. The day they attained jīva samādhi was Chitra Pournami.

On the Siddhar’s jīva samādhi, years later, Arulmigu Azhagiya Tiruchitrambala Desikar ruled as Pontiff of the Swargapura Aadheenam.

In the five places where the five disciples attained jīva samādhi, five Śiva temples got created.

Arulmigu Mahagaananaatha Swami Tirukkovil – West of the Swargapura Aadheenam

Arulmigu Brahmapureeshwarar Tirukkovil – Ambal – East of the Swargapura Aadheenam

Arulmigu Aabathsagaayeshwarar Tirukkovil, Kongaraaya Nalloor – South of the Swargapura Aadheenam

Arulmigu Arunachaleshwarar Tirukkovil, Agarathurumaana – Northwest of the Swargapura Aadheenam

Arulmigu Amrithakadeshwarar Tirukkovil, Andakkudi, Northeast of the Swargapura Aadheenam

Branches Affiliated to the Swargapuram Kingdom

There are 40 branches affiliated to this Kingdom. 20 of them in South India are recalled here:

1. Nagappattinam District Ambala village

2. Seerkazhi Circle, Tiruvengaadu

3. Seerkazhi Aachaalpuram

4. Tiruchirapalli Keezhachinthaamani

5. Seerkazhi Circle, Tillayaadi

6. Thanjavur Kudavaayil

7. Chidambaram Senkizhani Pillayar Kovil Street

8. Tiruvarur Anna daana mutt

9. Tirunellaar, Terku veethi (South Street)

10. Tirunelveli Tirupadaimaruthur

11. Tirunelveli Naanguneri vaamaalai anna daana mutt

12. Thanjavur karanthai anna daana mutt

13. Naagoor Muthiah Chettiar Street anna daana mutt

14. Nagappatinam nagaram Dharmapuri saalai anna daana mutt

15. Muthupettai Saamyaan Oodai anna daana mutt

16. Maayooram nagaram No. 5, Puthu street annadaana mutt

17. Kasi Gangai karai anna daana mandapam

18. Thanjai Karunthaattaankudi annadaana mutt

19. Thoothukkudi nagaram uppalam paguthi (area)

20. Thanjai jilla Ayyampettai anna daana mutt (Rajagiri)

Divine Lineage of Swargapuram Samrajyam

Predecessors

Disciples were appointed in later times to run the mutt as successors.

A Śiva temple in the name Sri Maruthuvana Swami was established and all the pontiffs were to rule assuming the title “Sri La Sri Maruthuvana Swami”.

Succeeding Sri La Sri Azhagiya Tiruchitrambala Desikar, the following served as Pontiffs. This table contains the details of the Name, Month of attaining samādhi, the vedic nakshatra on which samādhi was attained and the location of the samādhi, of all the Sannidhanams (Pontiffs) who have graced the Swargapura Aadheenam Svarna MahaPeetham (Kingdom).

Description of the Sannidhanam (Pontiff)

1. Title: Adheena Gurumudalvar Gurumahasannidhanama Arul Thiru Sri la Sri Marudavana Swami

Name: Sri la Sri Azhagiya Thiruchittrambala Desika Bandara Sannadhi

Attained jīva samādhi on

Month: Karthikai

Nakshatram:Punarpusam

Jīva Samādhi Location: Headquarters of the mutt of Bandara Sannadhi in Thirumalam.

Tenure: 1200 to 1410

2. Title: Arul Thiru Irandavathu Gurumahasannithanam Sri la Sri Marudavana Swami

Name: Sri la Sri Vaidhyalinga Desika Bandara Sannadhi

Attained samādhi on

Month: Karthikai

Nakshatram: Pusam

Samādhi Location: Ambal,Sandhai Velimedu

Tenure: 1410 - 1499

Picture of the sannidhanam in deity form

3. Title: Arul Thiru Mundravathu Gurumahasannithanam Sri la Sri Marudavana Swami

Name: Sri la Sri Tavaprakasha Desika Bandara Sannadhi

Attained samādhi on

Month: Chitra

Nakshatram: Thiruvadurai

Samādhi Location:Thiruvenkaadu Therku veedi madam

Tenure: 1499 - 1564

4. Title: Arul Thiru Nangavathu Gurumahasannithanam Sri la Sri Marudavana Swami

Name: Sri la Sri Mutthukumar Desika Bandara Sannadhi

Attained samādhi on

Month: Aadi

Nakshatram: Rohini

Samādhi Location: Ambal, Sandhai Velimedu

Tenure: 1564 - 1595

5. Title: Arul Thiru Einthavathu Gurumahasannithanam Sri la Sri Marudavana Swami

Name: Sri la Sri Ambalavana Desika Bandara Sannadhi

Attained samādhi on

Month: Chitra

Nakshatram: Swathi

Samādhi Location: Ambal, Sandhai Velimedu

Tenure: 1595 - 1610

6. Title: Arul Thiru Aravathu Gurumahasannithanam Sri la Sri Marudavana Swami

Name: Sri la Sri Azhagiya Thiruchittrambala Desika Bandara Sannadhi

Attained samādhi on

Month: Maasi

Nakshatram: Revati

Samādhi Location: Kasi in Branch Mutt

Tenure: 1610 - 1659

7. Title: Arul Thiru Ezhavathu Gurumahasannithanam Sri la Sri Marudavana Swami

Name: Sri la Sri Sivajnana Desika Bandara Sannadhi

Attained samādhi on

Month: Thai

Nakshatram: Magha

Samādhi Location: North of the Mutt , Nokar Theru

Birth Place: Madurai

Tenure: 1659 - 1680

8. Title: Arul Thiru Ettavathu Gurumahasannithanam Sri la Sri Marudavana Swami

Name: Sri la Sri Panchangira Desika Bandara Sannadhi

Attained samādhi on

Month: Karthika

Nakshatram: Mrigashirsha

Samādhi Location: North of the Mutt , Nokar Theru

Birth Place: Madurai

Tenure: 1680 - 1720

9. Title: Arul Thiru Onbathavathu Gurumahasannithanam Sri la Sri Marudavana Swami

Name: Sri la Sri Saravana Swami Desika Bandara Sannadhi

Attained samādhi on

Month: Avani

Nakshatram: Poosam

Samādhi Location: Thirunallar Therku veedi madam

Tenure: 1720 - 1742

10. Title: Arul Thiru Patthavathu Gurumahasannithanam Sri la Sri Marudavana Swami

Name: Sri la Sri Sivaprakasha Desika Bandara Sannadhi

Attained samādhi on

Month: Vaikasi

Nakshatram: Barani

Samādhi Location: Naakur, Cheetitheru Madam

Tenure: 1742 - 1762

11. Title: Arul Thiru Pathinondravathu Gurumahasannithanam Sri la Sri Marudavana Swami

Name: Sri la Sri Subramanya Desika Bandara Sannadhi

Attained samādhi on

Month: Avani

Nakshatram: Thiruonam

Samādhi Location: Mutthupettai, Sambhubvanodai,Thennan Thopu

Tenure: 1762 - 1772

12. Title: Arul Thiru Panirendavathu Gurumahasannithanam Sri la Sri Marudavana Swami

Name: Sri la Sri Shivananda Swami Desika Bandara Sannadhi

Attained samādhi on

Month: Avani

Nakshatram: Thiruonam

Samādhi Location: Thiruchirapalli, Kilchinatamani Madam

Tenure: 1772 - 1780

13. Title: Arul Thiru Pathimundravathu Gurumahasannithanam Sri la Sri Marudavana Swami

Name: Sri la Sri Desika Sangili Thirumeni Swami Bandara Sannadhi

Attained samādhi on

Month: Chitra

Nakshatram: Ashwini

Samādhi Location: North of the Mutt , Nokar Theru

Tenure: 1780 - 1795

14. Title: Arul Thiru Pathinangavathu Gurumahasannithanam Sri la Sri Marudavana Swami

Name: Sri la Sri Chettitirumeni Desika Swami Bandara Sannadhi

Attained samādhi on

Month: Panguni

Nakshatram: Uttiram

Samādhi Location: Ambal,Branch mutt near Mariamman Temple

Tenure: 1795 - 1821

15. Title: Arul Thiru Pathinainthavathu Gurumahasannithanam Sri la Sri Marudavana Swami

Name: Sri la Sri Ambalavana Desika Swami Bandara Sannadhi

Attained samādhi on

Month: Vaikasi

Nakshatram: Vishaka

Samādhi Location: Tirunelveli, Tirupadai Marudur Madam

Tenure: 1821 - 1836

16. Title: Arul Thiru Pathinaravathu Gurumahasannithanam Sri la Sri Marudavana Swami

Name: Sri la Sri Sivaprakasha Desika Swami Bandara Sannadhi

Attained samādhi on

Month: Marghazhi

Nakshatram: Ayilyam

Samādhi Location: Nokar theru

Tenure: 1836 - 1840

17. Title: Arul Thiru Pathinezhavathu Gurumahasannithanam Sri la Sri Marudavana Swami

Name: Sri la Sri Sivavaakiya Desika Swami Bandara Sannadhi

Attained samādhi on

Month: Thai

Nakshatram: Magha

Samādhi Location: Maayuram madam

Tenure: 1840 - 1860

18. Title: Arul Thiru Pathinettavathu Gurumahasannithanam Sri la Sri Marudavana Swami

Name: Sri la Sri Subramaniya Desika Swami Bandara Sannadhi

Attained samādhi on

Month: Avani

Nakshatram: Poosam

Samādhi Location: Kudavasal Madam

Birth Place: Tirunelveli

Tenure: 1860 - 1861

19. Title: Arul Thiru Pathinonbathavathu Gurumahasannithanam Sri la Sri Marudavana Swami

Name: Sri la Sri Mutthukumara Desika Swami Bandara Sannadhi

Attained samādhi on

Month: Karthikai

Nakshatram: Mrigashirsha

Samādhi Location: Thirunallar, Therku Veedi Madam

Tenure: 1861 - 1881

20. Title: Arul Thiru Iruvathavathu Gurumahasannithanam Sri la Sri Marudavana Swami

Name: Sri la Sri Sadashiva Desika Swami Bandara Sannadhi

Attained samādhi on

Month: Aypasi

Samādhi Location:Thiruvidai, Marudur Madam

Tenure: 1881 - 1928

Temples of Swargapuram Kingdom

Ambar Mahakalam Koil

This ancient temple is situated on the northern banks of the river Arasalaru. As per the stone inscriptions available in this temple, the temple was first built in the 12th Century AD by King Kulothunga Cholan-I and later extended by King Vikrama Cholan. The historical names of this place are Marapuri and Indirapuri.

Puranic History of Ambar Mahakalam Koil

Bhadrakaali

It is said in Hindu Scriptures that Sage Durvasa (an incarnation of Lord Paramashiva) was once traveling to worship Paramashiva in the form of Sri Brahmapureeswarar (where Paramashiva is worshipped as Lord of the Universe). On his way, a demon-woman named Madhalolai saw him and fell in love with him. She pleaded for a child through him. He blessed her, and she conceived two demonic children named Amban and Ambarasuran. When she breastfed her two children, they drank her blood instead. In this way, she died, but before dying she told her two children to worship Brahmapureeswarar. They obeyed her and worshipped Paramashiva in this form every day. They grew to be skilled fighters, archers and wrestlers.

However, due to their demonic nature, as they grew older, they killed many humans and even tried to kill Devas (divine beings). All the Devas and sages rushed to Lord Paramashiva to address this problem. However, as the two demons’ powers came from the devotion that they had towards Paramashiva, He was could not stop them nor take back his boons. Hence, they turned to Devi parvati, the divine consort of Lord Paramashiva, to help defeat these demons. Devi parvati then, assumed the form of a Mohini, a seductive and beautiful maiden. She was accompanied by Lord Vishnu, who took the form of an old man. They made their way to a temple in Thanjavur dedicated to Lord Vishnu called the Veetrirundha Perumal koil. People began to gather there, and the men in the kingdom began to line up in asking for the beautiful Mohini’s hand in marriage. Hearing of this, Amban and Ambarasuran rushed to the temple. They saw Devi Parvati in the form of Mohini and both fell in love with her. They individually expressed their wish to marry her, but Vishnu, in the form of the old man advised them that she would only choose one of them, and she would choose who is fit to marry her amongst them.

Hearing this, both the demons began to fight with each other. Amban won the fight, and in doing so, killed his brother Ambarasuran.

Upon victory, amban turned to the Mohini to finally ask for her hand in marriage. However, when he turned to her, he saw that she had turned into Bhadrakaali - a ferocious form of Devi parvati. He became extremely afraid and transformed into a bull, and ran away from her. This place, where Amban transformed into a bull, is called Kidamangalam. On seeing him run, Bhadrakaali ran after him and killed him with her trishul (trident) at a place called Ambagarathur. To this day, the soil in Ambagarathur is naturally red, marking the spot where Bhadrakaali defeated this demon.

After this incident, the people of the village requested Bhadrakaali to reside there and protect them always. Thus, she stands in the temple, facing North (which gives her the name Vatabhadra Kali).

The temple was initially known as Ambara-harattur meaning victory over Ambaran, which subsequently became Ambagarathur.

However, since Bhadrakaali had committed Brahmahatya (the sin of killing of brahmins, the priestly caste in Hinduism), one of the gravest sins to commit, she created a Shiva Linga with her own hands in Thirumangalam village and worshipped it to clear the repercussions of this. This Shiva Linga is now worshipped in an adjacent temple called Kovil Thirumahalam. Anyone with the dosha (sin) of Brahmahatya can worship Paramashiva at this temple to be free of it.

Anyone who goes to the Ambar Mahakalam Koil to worship Bhadrakaali must also go to the Kovil Thirumahalam to worship Paramashiva in order to finish the entire ritual of visiting this temple.

Raja Matangi

Many years later, a sage named Madanga Maharishi lived in the same village. He was an ardent devotee of Lord Paramashiva. Due to his sincere love and devotion, Paramashiva appeared before Madanaga Maharishi in the form of Shanteshwara, and decided to live in that place in the form of a Shiva Linga which is now called the Mathangeeswara Shiva Linga. Madanga Maharishi also prayed for a boon to have a child, and Lord Paramashiva blessed him with a daughter who was an incarnation of Devi (consort of Lord Paramashiva) Herself. She was named Raja Matangi. When she grew older, she prayed to Paramashiva for the boon to marry him. He granted her this boon, and she married Paramashiva at this temple. Since then, the deities of this temple are known for granting boons of successful marriage to all the young couples and unmarried persons who come here. An unmarried couple can bring two red Oleander(Arali flower) garlands for the deities and perform archanas (rituals and offerings). After that, the boy or girl should get back one garland and wear it.

Somayaji Mara Nayanar

Somayaji Mara Nayanar is one among the sixty three Nayanmars (saint-poets known for their devotion to Paramashiva). He wanted to perform Somayagam with his wife Suseelai in this temple on the day of Vaikasi Ayilyam star (2nd day of the Vaikasi Brahmotsavam festival). He was going to perform a yaga, ( a fire ritual) in the temple and wanted Paramashiva Himself to accept the offerings and attend the yagam. Another of the Nayanmars, Sundarar, had fallen ill, and Somayaji Mara Nayanar had healed him.Then, Somayaji Nayanar asked for Sundarar to help him invite Paramashiva for his Yagam. Sundarar agreed, and Paramashiva appeared before them, saying that he would surely come for the yagam. However, his only condition was that Somayaji Nayanar should welcome Him in whatever form he appeared, no matter how ghastly. Somayaji Nayanar agreed and on the day of the yagam, he waited eagerly to spot Lord Paramashiva. At the time of offering the final oblations, a poor and haggard-looking man walked in with his wife and a dead calf on his shoulder. Four dogs accompanied him. Many were frightened at this sight and left the ceremony, taking it as a sign of inauspiciousness. However, Vinayagar, the son of Paramashiva, appeared and revealed that this poor man was Paramashiva Himself, accompanied by Devi and Skanda (his consort and son), the dead calf was Nandi (his protector) and the four dogs were the four Vedas (source scriptures of Hinduism). He was overjoyed and welcomed them to the yagam, offering the oblations to Paramashiva Himself as per his wish.

Arunachaleshwarar Temple

Aabathsagaeeswarar Temple

Brahmapureeswarar Temple

Mahakalanathar Temple

Coronation of His Divine Holiness

The Kailaasa Paramparagatha Suvarnapeetha Sarvajnapeetha Swargapuram Samrajyam was handed over to His Divine Holiness in the year 2015 fulfilling the traditional ritualistic procedure. In 2018-19 Dandapani Desika Pandara Sannadhi, the 22nd Pontiff of the Swargapuram Adheenam initiated and completed the official documentation for the same.

A rare photograph featuring (Left) Dandapani Desika Pandara Sannadhi, the 22nd Pontiff of the Swargapuram Adheenam and (Right) 232nd Guru Maha Sannidhanam of Thondaimandalam Aadheenam, both of whom appointed His Divine Holiness as their successor in their respective kingdoms.