Padma awardee spiritual guru Bangaru Adigalar passes away at 82

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin expresses his condolences and said Adigalar’s funeral will be conducted with state honours.

In a statement, Stalin said Adigalar founded the Adhiparasakthi Peetam and had been running it successfully for more than a half a century. He added that the seer had founded a hospital and educational institutions and offered several social services to the public.

He also hailed Adigalar for the revolutionary reform of allowing women to enter the sanctum sanctorum and perform pujas at his temple.

“Adigalar’s demise is a great loss to his devotees. I express my deepest condolences to his bereaved family members,” Stalin said.

"மேல்மருவத்தூர் ஆதிபராசக்தி பீடத்தின் நிறுவனர் திரு. பங்காரு அடிகளார் அவர்கள் மறைவெய்தினார் என்ற செய்தியறிந்து மிகவும் வருந்தினேன்.

திரு. பங்காரு அடிகளார் அவர்களின் சேவைகளைப் போற்றும் வகையில், அரசு மரியாதையுடன் அவரது இறுதி நிகழ்வு நடைபெறும்" என மாண்புமிகு முதலமைச்சர் @mkstalin… pic.twitter.com/AQPJbfazYD

— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) October 19, 2023

Referred to as ‘Amma’ (mother) by his devotees, Adigalar was widely recognised for having implemented various reforms in spiritualism which includes allowing women to enter the sanctum sanctorum of his temple and perform puja on all days.

The spiritual leader also owned several educational institutions around the Melmaruvathur area and was known for several philanthropy works. Several political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra, had visited Adigalar in the past.

It was an honour to interact with respected Bangaru Adigalar Ji in Chennai earlier today. His efforts to serve society are inspiring. pic.twitter.com/Qww7n4i1fZ

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2021

Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan took to X and said, “Shocked to hear that Sri Bangaru adikalar founder of Melmaruthur Adhiparasakthi Siddhar Beedam fondly called “Amma” reached the Lotus Feet of Goddess Adhi parasakthi.” She added that Adigalar was a revolutionary spiritual guru.

Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, BJP State President K Annamalai, AMMK leader TTV Dhinakaran, VCK functionary Aloor Sha Navas, Tamil Maanila Congress leader G K Vasan, Bharatiya Janata Party’s National President of the Mahila Morcha Vanathi Srinivasan and DMK MP Dayanithi Maran expressed their deepest condolences.

Several hundreds of his devotees gathered near his residence and expressed their condolences.