Sri Sanyasi Varadar Swami is a Swamiji worshipped in Jeeva Samadhi form. The temple is situated in Thalavai Patti Village in Salem District of Tamil Nadu, India. This is the family Deity temple of some communities and for some families which are the natives of the places around the village.
Their descendants visit to and pray to the Deities atleast once a year. They also come for conducting special puja and abhishekam in connection with their family functions such as gruha pravesh, marriage, sacred thread ceremony, child birth etc.,
As per the legend, Sri Varada Swami was earlier working as postman during British Era. Though he was having a steady job, his mind was seeking higher values. He was quite spiritual and kept wandering to various places to find solace for the soul.
He had left his job. He kept wandering to many places. He used to visit houses as a foot traveler and stay in the front part of the house. Wherever he stayed, he was provided food by the people of the house. At times, he used to leave without notice also. The people who had provided hospitality to Him found themselves progressing in life.
He also used to visit shops. If he had visited cloth shops, at times he used to select a cloth and tear it into pieces. After His visits, such shops had progressed in business. Same was the status of the other shops to which he had visited.
As His fame spread, he was invited by all for visit. But He was not materialistic. He went to any place only if his mind directed it. He did not relent to any persuasion. People then came to realize that he had spiritual powers and is worthy of worship.
Sri Varada Swamy had come to the hill in Thalavai-Patti village and did penance. Then in the same village, He had attained Jeeva-Samadhi. His devotees had developed the place with some sanctums.
From the road, we can see the cluster of small shrines. The place is a foothill. It is calm and serene with friendly monkeys.
First we have the darshan of Sri Ganesha. It is in the open under a banyan tree. The front portion is provided with a shade.
Next to Sri Ganesha, we see the Dwajasthambam which is in straight line with the hill in which Sri Sanyasi Varada Swami did penance. The hill is called as Kubera Malai. During Purnima days, some devotees go around the hill in perambulation as Sri Girivalam.
After worshipping Dwajasthambam, we approach Sri Ambal’s shrine. The Shrine is just at the backside of Sri Ganesh Shrine. A huge Homa Kundam is in the front of Sri Ambal’s shrine.
To the right of Sri Ambal, we see the shrine of Sri Anjaneya. Sri Anjaneya is inscribed on a tall stone.
To the left of Sri Ambal Shrine, we are blessed with the sight of the Shrine of Sri Sanyasi Varadar Swami. On His Jeeva Samadhi, a huge portrait of Sri Swami is kept. Puja and Aarti are done to Sri Swami.
To the left of Sri Swami’s shrine, we can see the shrine of Sri Krishna. The sanctum looks like a mandap and Sri Krishna is in the middle. We have to take the perambulation of Sri Krishna. The inner walls of the Mandap have the pictorial representations of Sri Krishna’s leela.
It is ardently believed that if the devotees pray to Sri Sanyasi Varadar for the fulfillment of their wishes, they keep a coin in turmeric-soaked cloth and keep at the Puja place of their homes. Once the wishes like getting job, marriage, good turn in life etc., happen, they bring the turmeric cloth to the temple and offer their prayers as thanks giving. Special Guru Puja is done to Sri Sanyasi Varadar Swami on The Sathayam-Star day of Karthika Month.
Thalavapatti can be reached by either private taxi or bus from Salem Town or Attur Town in Tamil Nadu.
