Kambali Swamy Madam, Puducherry – History

Kambali Swamy Madam, Puducherry – History

Akanda Paripurana Satchidananda Srila Sri Kambali Gnana Desiga Swamigal was a renowned Siddhar lived in early 19^th Century CE in the area today known as Thattanchavady, Puducherry. He was a great Yogi and praised as the King of Ashtanga Yoga. He was attributed to many miracles like ability of tele-transport himself, convert straw to gold and stay submerged under water for hours on end. He attained Maha Samadhi on the new moon day of Tamil month Margazhi in 1873 CE. He was interred in a Samadhi structure with Shiva Lingam on top as per Shaivite custom by his successor Sri Amabalavana Swamigal.

Sri Amabalavana Swamigal, successor of Kambali Swamigal and a devotee named Subbamal cared Kambali Swamigal in his last days. These two people were the founders of Kambali Swami Madam. Sri Amabalavana Swamigal was mainly responsible for taking care of the Samadhi Site and performing the daily Poojas and other celebrations to honor Kambali Swamigal. Subbamal, on her death bed bequeathed all her properties to Sri Amabalavana Swamigal and the Madam. He interred her mortal remains in Samadhi close to that of Guru’s and today there exists a beautiful shrine to Anandvalli, a form of Kamala Lakshmi established there by Swami Gitananda Giri.

Sri Ambalavana Swamigal fed and cared for saints who were travelling from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Thus, this Samadhi site became a holy pilgrimage site for those who were interested in South Indian Siddha Siddhantha tradition. Sri Ambalavana Swamigal on his deathbed willed all the properties to his chosen successor Sri Manikka Swamigal who placed his Guru in Samadhi as per list last wish, directly in front of Sri Kambali Swamigal Samadhi facing his Guru for eternity.

The customs and usage of this Samadhi site were set by the second Madathipathi Sri Manikka Swamigal who conducted all the activities efficiently. The daily activities included Guru Poojas, Annadhanam, Neiveidhyam, lighting of lamps and observing Annual Guru Poojas on Maha Samadhi dates. Sri Manikka Swamigal was unmarried and had no children. Hence, this property became part of Madam. He enlarged the properties of Madam drastically. He voluntarily handed over his duties along with the property will to his successor Sri Shanmuga Swamigal before his death.

After the Maha Samadhi of Sri Manikka Swamigal, his body was interred in Samadhi in the adjoining garden area, to the north of Samadhi of Sri Kambali Swamigal. Thus, in the same manner Sri Shanmuga Swamigal, who in turn passed his authority to Sri Velu Swamigal, who in turn passed it to Sri Subramaniya Swamigal who then passed it to Shankara Giri Swamigal. Sri Shankara Giri Swamigal chose Dr. Swami Gitananda as his disciple and successor after observing him for many years while he was teaching Yoga in his Ananda Ashram at Lawspet and Thattanchavady. Sri Shankara Giri Swamigal was fully satisfied by the competence of Dr. Swami Gitananda. He was confident that Dr. Swami Gitananda could run the Madam as per Madam customs.

Dr. Swami Gitananda was one of the leading four masters on Ashtanga Yoga. During the annual Guru Pooja in December 1973, Srila Sri Shankara Giri Swamigal fell ill and requested Dr. Swami Gitananda to perform the Poojas. Sri Shankara Giri Swamigal nominated Dr. Swami Gitananda as his legal heir and successor to the position of Hereditary Trustee and Madathipathi of Sri Kambali Swamy Madam. The Madam was restored and renovated under the guidance of Dr. Swami Gitananda. The Madam became famous throughout Indian and world as an ideal Guru Kula. Because of his tireless efforts, the madam came to be called as Shanti Niketan of the South. Classes in Ashtanga Yoga, Bharata Natyam and Carnatic music were started from 1975 onwards and attracted thousands.

Dr. Swami Gitananda was trained in modern allopathic medicine. He combined the modern science with ancient yogic traditions. He attained Maha Samadhi on 29^th December 1993. Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani was annointed as Madathipathi of Sri Kambali Swamy Madam on 13.01.1994 by Sri Sankaragiri Swamigal. Sri Sankaragiri Swamigal was born in a village near Trichy, into the family of goldsmiths. He renounced his family life at the age of 51 and spent nearly a decade in Himalayas. He came to Kambali Swamy Madam in the early 1960s and became chief disciple of Subramanya Swamigal, then head of Madam. He had a great influence on Ananda Balayogi, son of Sri Swami Gitananda.

Sri Sankaragiri Swamigal confirmed Ananda Balayogi as the successor and head of Kambali Swamy Madam in January 1994 and attained Maha Samadhi on June 11, 1995 at the age of 95. His Samadhi is placed in the northern side of Sri Kambali Swamy Madam and daily Poojas are performed there. Since the time of Maha Samadhi of Sri Sankaragiri Swamigal in 1995, Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani Giri has been carrying the responsibilities of Madam under the guidance of his mother and Guru, Yogacharini Kalaimamani Smt Meenkashi Devi Bhavanani popularly known as Ammaji.