The narrow tar road of Velachery, leads to the Akanda Paripurana Satchidananda Sabai, Gurukshetram, in Rajakilpakkam, Tambaram,Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
The building on the busy stretch of Tambaram is conspicuous by its simplicity. As we step into its cool interior, Swamy Krishnanandam, who is in charge, explains that the Akanda Paripurana Satchidananda Sabai houses the samadhi of the great seer and philosopher Satguru Satchidananda Swamigal.
The origin of Satchidananda Swamigal is shrouded in mystery. All that is known about him is that he spoke many languages like Tamil, Hindi, Sanskrit and English and that he never stayed in one place for long. He travelled to Panchavati in Nasik (where Lakshmana is said to have mediated), Kasi, Ayodhya and Prayag.
Coming down to the south, he went to Vaidheeswaran Koil, where he observed 'mouna' for two years. In 1930, he went to Tiruvaiyaru, called 'South Kailash', where he is supposed to have performed many miracles.
In 1936, Satchidananda Swamigal left of Kanakanpatti, a village in Madurai, where his benevolence and serenity made the locals accept him as a man of God. The next year, he left for Dindigul. While in Dindigul, at Kanakanpatti his devotees took out a picture of his in procession. Some non-believers who mocked at the idea of carrying a lifeless photo were astounded to hear the mantra 'Om' emanating from the picture.
From 1939 to 1940, Satchidananda Swamigal lived at Chatrapathi village, 40 km off Dindigul. After four years,in 1945, he returned to Dindigul.
In 1946, Satchidananda Swamigal came to Madras by train. When the train stopped at Tambaram, the Swamigal asked those with him if they had reached Tambaram. When they replied in the affirmative, he said 'Than-Param'. Interpreted in two ways it could means 'Than' (I), 'Param' (leave), or it could also mean 'Than'(I) 'Param' (Brahman).
Though Swamigal stayed in Madras, when he attained godhood on Nov 19, 1946, his devotees brought his body to Tambaram, where on a land donated by a disciple, his samadhi was erected.
Swamigal was an advocate of the Advaita school of thought. Deviating slightly from it, he said there is no meaning in rituals and customs but that the temple of God is the human body. He said one who forgoes all desires is the true man.
The first Akanda Paripurana Satchidananda Sabai was built at Kanakanpatti in 1938. The one at Tambaram was built in 1946 on an acre of land donated by Govinda Naicker.
There was a traditional kitchen with huge utensils, and a long dining hall where 500-600 persons can eat the 'annadhanam' that the sabai serves daily. During the yearly Maha Guru pooja and the monthly Guru pooja, at least a 1,000 people are fed. There is a picture of the Swamigal in the dining hall that was painted by a Sri Lankan Christian.
The Gurukshetra also houses a medical camp where a doctor is available every Sunday to treat the poor free. The sabai run a school. They have plans to start a 'gurukulam' for orphan boys.
Bhajans and prayers are held every day. In the mornings and evenings. Special poojas are held on Thursdays and Sundays from 10.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Guru poojas are held on the first Thursday of all Tamil months.
Since it was in the month of Karthigai that Sachidananda Swamigal attained samadhi, the first Thursday of the month it celebrated as Maha Guru pooja day. The disciples of the Swamigal celebrate the occasion with a 'sandana kappu' and have 'kummi' and 'kolattam' recitals.