அன்பே சிவம்
Love is Shiva
See Shiva in every being you meet — the sadhu, the stranger, the one who hurt you. Compassion for all living beings is not separate from Siva worship; it is Siva worship.
About Maataji
Sathguru Siva Sri Thiyaneswar Amma
சத்குரு சிவ ஸ்ரீ தியானேஸ்வர் அம்மா
Known to her devotees simply as Maataji — a Shiva bhakta, a mother to the sadhus of Arunachala, a teacher of Thiruvasagam, a writer of songs, and the founder of the ashram at Adi Annamalai.
Her journey
From a kitchen that fed sadhus to an ashram on the hill.
Maataji's story is told here only as she and the ashram tell it. The milestones in square brackets are waiting for her own words.
PhotoYEAR · Early life
A childhood turned towards Shiva
Place of birth, family and the first signs of devotion — two or three sentences in Amma's own words, from “Amma's Biography”.
YEAR · Arunachala calls
Coming to Tiruvannamalai
How Amma came to the hill, her sadhana and the experiences she describes in “Sivam in my Experience”.
More than 25 years ago · Annadhanam begins
Feeding sadhus on Pournami and festival days
Amma begins offering food to sadhus, pilgrims and the poor on full-moon days, Karthigai Deepam and Shivaratri — a seva the ashram says has continued for over 25 years and now runs every single day.
24 April 2017 · The trust is born
Siva Sri Thiyaneswar Amma Asramam, Reg 63/BK4/2017
Amma — Smt. Siva Rajeswari — registers the charitable trust and establishes the ashram at Adi Annamalai on the Girivalam path, with annadhanam, Sivayogam, free medical camps, Girivalam-path cleaning and village education as its work.
2019 – 2021 · Deepam, Maheswara Poojai, Covid care
One lakh meals on a single Deepam night
The ashram reports feeding one lakh people on Karthigai Deepam, conducts Maheswara Poojai for sadhus, and through the pandemic runs Covid-care relief for the town.
January 2024 · A song for the world
“Thiyaneshwara! Thiyaneshwara!!”
Lyrics written by Amma are sung by Solar Sai and released by Jothi TV; the song crosses six million views and carries her name far beyond Tamil Nadu.
Today
365 days of annadhanam, and a growing family of disciples
Daily food for sadhus on the Girivalam road, Thiruvasagam and Kailaya Vathiyam classes, satsangs, monthly Pournami poojas and special festival poojas — carried by Maataji and the disciples she has guided.
What Maataji teaches
Four threads that run through her books, songs and daily seva.
அதுவே தவம்
Service is the penance
Feed before you fast, serve before you seek. A plate of food placed in a hungry hand is a prayer Arunachala always hears.
திருவண்ணாமலையே திருக்கயிலாயம்
This hill is Kailash
The title of Amma's book says it plainly: you do not need to travel to the Himalayas. Walk around Arunachala with a quiet mind and you are already there.
சிவயோகம்
Simple daily sadhana
A short daily Siva pooja, a few minutes of Sivayogam breath and meditation, Thiruvasagam on the lips — small, steady practices that anyone can keep, taught free of cost.
Books by Amma
Three books, in Tamil and English.
Sivam in my Experience
என் அனுபவத்தில் சிவம்
Amma's own account of grace, sadhana and the experiences that shaped her path.
Read / orderThiruvannamalai itself is Thirukailayam
திருவண்ணாமலையே திருக்கயிலாயம்
Why the hill is Shiva himself, and how to walk Girivalam as a pilgrimage of the heart.
Read / orderAmma's Biography
அம்மாவின் வாழ்க்கை வரலாறு
The full story of Maataji's life, as told by the ashram.
Read / orderDisciples & community
A family that carries her seva.
Maataji has many disciples who carry her teaching and her annadhanam across Tamil Nadu and beyond. The best known is Mounasamy Siddhar — Mouna Siddhar of Tiruvannamalai — whose silence, kept for more than fifteen years, is itself a teaching she gave him. Sadhus of the Girivalam road, village children learning Kailaya Vathiyam, and devotees from Chennai to overseas all count themselves part of this family.
Disciples across Tamil Nadu and beyond Sadhus, children, devotees
See the community in pictures
PhotoMounasamy Siddhar
Mouna Siddhar of Tiruvannamalai. Guided into silence by Maataji; now living at the ashram in her care. His story →
PhotoThe sadhus of Arunachala
Fed, clothed and honoured at Maheswara Poojai every year.
Meeting Maataji
Maataji meets devotees as her schedule and health allow, most often around satsang and pooja times. Requesting a visit lets us expect you and guide you — it does not guarantee a personal meeting. Satsang, pooja, Thiruvasagam classes and annadhanam are open to everyone who comes with respect.
“உள்ளது எல்லாம் சிவமானது”
“All that exists is Shiva.”
From the ashram's seal.