History of Meivazhi Sabai
Meivazhi Andavargal was born at
Margampattai, a village in palani taluk, Madurai district about 120 years
ago. He was then named Khader Badsha Rowther by his parents - father being
Jamal Hussain Rowther and mother Periya Thayi. He had his primary education
in the village pial school and followed the profession of his father as
an agriculturist.
Even as a youth he had the thirst for a higher spiritual life and in his search, came across as many as twelve Gurus, all of whom he later discovered to be bogus ones. Ultimately he concluded that only through hata yoga, higher spiritual realisation could be attained and practised it to such an extend that he could lift his body above ground level.
After marriage, he migrated to Kasukkaranpalayam where from small beginnings
he build up a lucrative business as a wholesale paddy merchant. During
this period he came across a very elderly person whom he invited to his
house where he was convinced that he was so far following a futile
path (Hata Yoga), a short cut to hell, since he had already developed
symptoms detrimental to normal health. During further discussions, he disciple
upon whom a week later the True Savant and Bramhopadesam, the spiritual
rebirth, at Kasukkaranpalayam. This as well as their first
earlier meeting when the holy guest was entertained with milk, honey and
ragi-dosai is celebrated as a festival during pournami day of the pangunai
month(April), known as Piravaanaat Prapputh
Thirunaal Thiruvizha.
Renouncing his family profession and all worldly attachments, for many years he followed his master as a shadow, covering on foot the entire South India. During this period he was bestowed with all the higher initiations and the Truth that all religion are one, and that their Moolamanthirams identical there being one GOD and only universal brotherhood of religion Onnre Kulam Oruvene Deven known as Samarasa Sudha Sanmargam, a philosophy adumbrated by his predecessor Vadaloor Ramalinga Swamigal in the spiritual hierarchy.
After this Akilavalam (for many years he followed his master as a shadow, covering on foot the entire South India), he was engaged in tendering a flock of sheep at Reddiyapatti village, at the order of his master Thanigai Vallal Piran, for a period of one year. This is annually celebrated as a festival Aaadumeyippu Thirukkola katchi shepherding man from the clutches of YAMA to his shelter, symbolically.
Thereafter he was directed to observe severe Thapas in the cave on the western side of Thirupparankunram hill(near Madurai) which he carried out for many years bereft of slep and near starvation diet on Prickly pear (Kalli). Thereby he acquired devine symbols (sannadams) in his hand such us Udukkai, Vel, Shanku, Sakkaram etc as well as Khill Namam. This event is celebrated as a festival of Kodaayudha Sannathath Thirukkappu Kangganath Thirunall in the month of Vaikasi(June)
Having been christened Maarganadhar and fully equipped to continue the holy mission Meivazhi(True Path), the savant seperated from him for good. This mission commenced in 1901. Himself in the saffron robe of monk, andavargal at first preached to sanyasis with following, but failed to turn them to true faith. Thereupon he gave up the garb of sanyasi and took to preaching family people engaged in worldly occupations.
The first Meivazhi Ashram was founded at Rajagambiram, and the next at Thirupathur where the Saba was registered in 1933. From small beginnings, the number of followers gradually increased, year by year. At Thirupathur he married Panimathi Nachiyar. In 1939 he built the Ponnaranga Devalayam at Madurai (Aruppukkottai Road) and the saba was shifted to the new premises. In 1942 the then British Government acquired the place by paying Rs.1, 37, 750.00 as compensation.
Consequently Andavargal migrated to the present site at Pappancahivaval
(Meivazhi Salai)in 1942, purchasing
the land for about Rs.6,000.00 and clearing the jungle land for habitation.
Here he married Elya Nachiyar, younger sister of Panimathi Nachiyar.
The saba was re-registered in 1944 (in the then Pudukkottai State) where
it has been functioning eversince.
Date : 28.Mar.1976
