Bangaru Adigalar obituary: Spiritual leader, philanthropist, and feminist
At the Melmaruvathur temple, he normalised menstruating women entering the sanctum sanctorum and taking up priestly duties; he was well ahead of his time
Spiritual guru Bangaru Adigalar, the founder and head of the founder of Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi Siddhar Peedam, passed away at his residence on Thursday (October 19). He was 82.
Bangaru Adigalar, known as Amma (mother) to his followers, leaves behind a large following of devotees in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and also in some foreign countries. He transformed Melmaruvathur from a village to a town that boasts several urban facilities. Also part of his legacy is a large number of educational institutions developed that facilitated the higher education of numerous students from rural areas. A hospital founded by him is among the leading healthcare facilities in the region.
He will forever be revered for initiating revolutionary reforms in the Shakti temples he managed, including allowing menstruating women to enter the sanctum sanctorum. Also, at the Melmaruvathur temple, women perform the puja for the main deity, breaking into a male bastion. Adigalar initiated these steps several decades ago, when the question of women taking up priest training and jobs was not even considered in socio-political debates.
Every day, tens of thousands of devotees clad in red throng the Melmaruvathur temple, located around 100 km from Chennai, on the Trichi highway. Hundreds of buses ply the higway, and almost all the trains on that direction stop at the Melmaruvathur station, tiny though the town is. The Adhiparasakthi Peedam has had a hand in developing the region, including the railway station and other infrastructure.
Spiritual movement
Adigalar was born in Melmaruvathur on March 3, 1941. His parents were farmers hailing from an OBC community. Beginning his life as a teacher, his deep inclination towards spiritualism led him to devote his time more towards worship, soothsaying, and spiritual service. At the age of 25, he is said to have converted a small hut into a temple dedicated to Adi Parasakthi. Brick-by-brick, it grew into a mega pilgrim centre in Tamil Nadu. In the course of time, Adigalar evolved as a guru.
The spiritual leader never ceased being a family man. His wife Lakshmi, and the couple's two sons, are part of all his social and religious activities.
Adigalar’s followers believe him to be the Poorna Avatar (holding all 16 qualities of an avatar) as well as the incarnation of the supreme power Adhiparasakthi. He is said to have treated his followers equally, regardless of gender, caste, or religion.
Thousands of Aadhiparasakthi temples have sprung up across Tamil Nadu with lakhs of women joining the movement. Bangaru Adigalar strived for the spiritual advancement of the people and ensured them peace, said Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Dr S Ramadoss. "He used to say that the very purpose of his birth was to uplift women," he recalled.
Bangaru Adigalar was conferred the Padma Shri Award in 2019 for his spiritual services to the nation.
Political bigwig
Adigalar also reigned supreme as a political bigwig for several decades. He had several VIP-devotees, including former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MG Ramachandran, who laid the foundation for the Adi Parasakthi Polytechnic. His spiritual organisation has had its share of controversies, including allegations of financial irregularities as well as Income Tax probes.
But the leader largely remained unscathed. For decades together, he could sustain the aura of an OBC member from an agrarian family developing a spiritual cult that is also known for philanthropic activities.
In 2021, his son GB Senthil Kumar filed nomination for the post of village panchayat president of Melmaruvathur. Adigalar's wife Lakshmi filed her papers for ward no II of Melmaruvathur.
On Adigalar's death, tributes poured in from all directions. "Deeply saddened by the demise of Shri Bangaru Adigalar Ji," tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "His life, rich in spirituality and compassion, will forever be a guiding light for many. Through his tireless service to humanity and emphasis on education, he sowed the seeds of hope and knowledge in the lives of many. His work will continue to inspire and guide generations."