Saints of Arunachala
திருவண்ணாமலை சித்தர்கள் · ஜீவசமாதிகள்
Arunachala has drawn siddhars and saints for centuries. Here are those whose samadhis you can visit today — and Mounasamy Siddhar, the silent sadhu who still sits in sadhana at Adi Annamalai.
Quick answer · Famous siddhars of Tiruvannamalai
फ़ोटोThe living siddhar of Tiruvannamalai
மௌன சித்தர் · மௌனசாமி
Known as Mouna Siddhar, Mouna Swami and Vibhuti Siddhar, Mounasamy has kept a vow of silence for many years and sits before his altar day and night without lying down, his body covered in vibhuti. He earlier sat at Sri Mouna Swami Peetam on the Girivalam road; he now lives at Siva Sri Thiyaneswar Amma Ashram in Adi Annamalai, in the care of his guru, Maataji. Devotees say silent prayers made before him are answered; the ashram makes no claims and asks nothing in his name.
Saints and samadhis
ஜீவசமாதிகள் · மகான்கள்
ரமண மகரிஷி
Came to Tiruvannamalai in 1896 and never left. He lived in Virupaksha Cave (1899–1916) and Skandashram on the hill before Sri Ramanasramam grew around his mother's samadhi.
Samadhi shrine at Sri Ramanasramam, Chengam Road — open to visitors
சேஷாத்ரி சுவாமிகள்
The 'saint with the golden hand', an elder of Ramana's time; for a period he too was called Mouna Swamigal for his silence.
Sri Seshadri Ashram, Chengam Road, beside Ramanasramam — open to visitors
யோகி ராம்சுரத்குமார்
The 'Visiri Samiyar' — the saint with a hand fan — who lived on the streets of Tiruvannamalai for decades.
Inside the main hall of Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ashram, Agraharakollai, Chengam Road
மூக்குப்பொடி சித்தர்
Named for his love of snuff, he spoke very little and sat on and around the Girivalam path, blessing those who came to him. He left his body at the Seshadri Swamigal Ashram in December 2018.
Jeeva samadhi on the Girivalam path near the Vayu Lingam; annual guru pooja
குகை நமசிவாயர்
A Virasaiva saint from Karnataka who trained at Srisailam and lived in a cave on the lower eastern slope of Arunachala.
Guhai Namasivayar cave, below Virupaksha Cave — daily puja
விருபாட்ச தேவர்
Tradition says he came from Karnataka with Guhai Namasivayar. Virupaksha Cave, where Ramana later lived, is named after him.
Virupaksha Cave, where his remains (as vibhuti) are worshipped
அருணகிரிநாதர்
Composer of the Thiruppugazh. Tradition links him to the Vallala and Kili gopurams of the Annamalaiyar temple and the Kambathu Ilaiyanar shrine.
No samadhi site is documented
இடைக்காடர்
One of the eighteen Tamil siddhars and a Sangam poet; legend tells how he sheltered the Navagrahas during a famine.
Tradition holds he attained jeeva samadhi in Tiruvannamalai; the exact spot is disputed
Visiting the samadhis on Chengam Road? They are on the Girivalam path — continue round the hill to Adi Annamalai for annadhanam and Mounasamy's darshan. Places to visit in Tiruvannamalai →
Questions people ask
Sources: Wikipedia: Ramana Maharshi · Wikipedia: Seshadri Swamigal · Wikipedia: Yogi Ramsuratkumar · Daily Thanthi (Mookupodi Siddhar) · Ramanasramam: Guhai Namasivaya · Wikipedia: Idaikaadar
Visiting Tiruvannamalai?
Siva Sri Thiyaneswar Amma Ashram is on the Girivalam road at Adi Annamalai, the quiet side of Arunachala. Every visitor is welcome to a free meal, to sit with Mounasamy Siddhar — the silent sadhu of Tiruvannamalai — and to join satsang. There is no fee.
