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Kadal Poojai for Kodi Swamigal - Dhanushkodi
Kadal pooja is an annual event celebrated by the devotees for Kodi Swamigal at Dhanushkodi on the 3rd Day of the star Maham, which falls in the Tamil month of Maasi (Feb- Mar). This grand event attracts devotees worldwide to congregate in the holy land of Dhanushkodi.
DHANUSHKODI KADAL POOJAI
'Kadal Padayal' - Offering of gratitude to Kodi Swamigal
The significant and most expected event of the Kadal Poojai is the ‘Padayal’ which we offer to Kodi Swamigal in front of the roaring Indian Ocean. The faith among the devotees is Kodi Swamigal arrives in the form of waves to sweep the padayal and bless all the devotees who throng the shores of the holy land.
The origin of Kadal Poojai
Early sightings circa 1940
The lone figure of Kodi Swamigal stood amidst the expansive dunes of Dhanushkodi during the pre-independence period circa 1940, far from the bustling harbour where visitors thronged. There was no documented evidence or knowledge of when and how he arrived at the land's end of India - Dhanushkodi. Deeply immersed in an extraordinary penance, balanced on one leg, his eyes were fixed on the point where sea and sky met. In the quietude of the sands, the dogs became his silent companions, sharing in the sacred energy of his penance. Kodi Swamigal, with a tender smile, would distribute biscuits to his four-legged friends, acknowledging their quiet companionship. The unusual scene of a monk standing on top of the mound did create curiosity among the visitors, who occasionally either shared biscuits or offered some money.
The gesture of grace by Kodi Swamigal
During his stay at Dhanushkodi in the early 1940s Interestingly, whenever anybody gave money or food to Kodi Swamigal, he immediately distributed it to others. If nobody was near him, he offered food to the Bhairavars(a term used to refer to dogs as deities) and the Sea Mother.
When did Kadal Poojai begin?
The Divine Message
Only a mahaan can tap the frequency of another mahaan. Sri La Sri Gopala Swami of Sinjiwadi, received the divine message of conducting Kadal Poojai for Kodi Swamigal at Dhanushkodi. Nearly 50 years later, after Kodi Swamigal left Dhanushkodi. In 2000, Sri La Sri Gopala Swami told Smt. Kalyani Amma & Shri. Sridhar to conduct Kadal Poojai at Dhanushkodi in the Tamil month of Maasi on the star 'Maham' for Kodi Swamigal and offer 'Kadal Padayal'
The holy walk to Dhanushkodi
Mrs. Kalyani Ammal from Sinjiwadi and Mr.Sridhar from Puravipalayam followed Sinjiwadi Sri La Sri Gopala Swami's instructions. They undertook the pilgrimage from Puravipalayam to Dhanushkodi by walking over 360 Km, as instructed by the Swamigal on the inaugural edition of the Kadal Poojai function in the year 2000.
Annual tradition for 18 years
Since its commencement in the year 2000, Kadal Poojai has been conducted by Smt. Kalyani Amma, Shri. Sridhar and their team for 18 years. Every year during the festival, devotees will gather at the Shrine of Kodi Swamigal, perform the pooja and offer padayal once a year only during the time of Kadal Poojai to the Indian Ocean.
" When Sri La Sri Gopala Swami instructed his devotees to commence Kadal Poojai and offer padayal, nearly 50 years after Kodi Swamigal left Dhanushkodi, it reminds the gesture of Kodi Swamigal who used to offer whatever was given to him into the sea. This gesture was his (Kodi Swamigal's) way of giving padayal."
Maybe Sri La Sri Gopala Swami's instructions for doing Kadal Poojai were a subtle hint of resuming the tradition that Kodi Swamigal was doing every day at Dhanushkodi. These divine instructions are best left to the discretion of the mystics.
Maybe Sri La Sri Gopala Swami's instructions for doing Kadal Poojai were a subtle hint of resuming the tradition that Kodi Swamigal was doing every day at Dhanushkodi. These divine instructions are best left to the discretion of the mystics.
KODI SWAMIGAL THAVA BHOOMI TEMPLE AT DHANUSHKODI
How has the temple transitioned from opening once a year during Kadal Pooja to offering daily darshan, conducting regular padayal, and serving nithya annadhanam to fishermen, tourists, and pilgrims from across India who visit Dhanuskodi?
On March 30th, 2018, it was Panguni Uthiram, marked as a muhurtham by Kodi Swamigal to mark the birth of a divine cause to be done by the members of this soon-to-be-formed trust. Upon his divine instructions, Mrs Bama Balaji commenced nithya annadhanam at Puravipalayam, and 11 meals were instructed to be given at Dhanushkodi on the same day. 11 meals were offered at Dhanushkodi in front of Kodi Swamigal Thava Bhoomi temple on March 30th, 2018. Bama Balaji completed these tasks with his grace and kindness echoed from Puravipalayam to Dhanushkodi, marking the birth of selfless service for hungry souls by the members of this soon-to-be-formed trust.
After that day, for the next two months, on every Amavasai and Pournami, Mrs. Bama Balaji travelled to Dhanushkodi and offered Annadhanam to the tourists and locals near the Kodi Swamigal Thava Bhoomi Temple.
When the local authorities declared Dhanushkodi unfit for human habitation. Waves of compassion from Kodi Swamigal then swept through the land. On May 27, 2018, during the Tamil month of Vaikasi, when the Visakam star was in ascent, an Eternal Lamp was lit at the holy place (Thava Bhoomi of Kodi Swamigal), and the daily Annadanam (Sacred offering of food) commenced. This miraculous event was only possible due to His grace.
Before May 27th, 2018 - The Thava Bhoomi of Kod Swamigal became an active spot for devotees once a year when they arrived for Kadal Poojai. The divine atmosphere would be filled with the noises of devotees chanting, singing and in high spirits for the duration of Kadal Poojai. Post the event, the temple was left unattended due to logistical challenges in maintaining the place due to no proper person or organisation taking the initiative to preserve the holiness right through the year.
Only after Puravipalayam Sri La Sri Ponmudi Kodi Swamigal Charitable Trust commenced Nithya Annadhanam on May 27th, 2018 onwards, The Trust started maintaining the way it should be and it soon became a must visit stop for anyone who travels that road in Dhanushkodi.
Setting up of Annadhanam hut in 2018
Upon receiving divine instructions from Kodi Swamigal to commence nithya annadhanam, the trust got into swift action to prepare what best can be done in a very tough landscape with adverse climate conditions. The trust put a small hut for annadhanam with a sand floor. With a humble beginning nithya annadhanam started at Dhanushkodi near the sacred Rama Setu on May 27th, 2018.
Padayal - The annual ritual becomes a daily offering.
Since May 27th, 2018, The padayal ritual has been a daily offering, and annadhanam commences only after offering padayal on the Indian Ocean side.
Nithya Annadhanam (Sacred offering of food) at
Kodi Swamigal Thava Bhoomi, Dhanushkodi
Kodi Swamigal Thava Bhoomi, Dhanushkodi
The annaprasadham is offered to Kodi Thatha as Padayal to the Ocean every day at 12 Noon. All devotees, and visitors to the temple are then served the Annaprasadham (Sacred offering of food) in the Thava bhoomi Annadhanam hall.
Daily alangaram, aarthi before padayal
The Padayal for Kodi Thatha & Pitrus are kept at the shrine
Chanting and praying for the waves of grace to come and take the padayal
The padayal kept on the shores before the waves of grace takes it
Offering the blessings, Kodi Swamigal's grace takes the padayal
The crows which are symbolic representation of Pitrus arrive to have their offerings.
Local fishermen community are daily visitors for annaprasadham
From kids to senior citizens all have the annaprasadham
Tourists, Piligrims across India visit the shrine and take annaprasadham
DHANUSHKODI KADAL POOJAI 2019
Handing over of Dhanushkodi Kadal Poojai organising to our trust
For 18 years, since 2000, Mrs Kalyani Ammal, Sridhar & Ramesh have organised the annual Kadal Poojai event. In 2019, they approached our trust, Puravipalayam Sri La Sri Ponmudi Kodi Swamigal Charitable Trust, and requested to take over this yearly event to organise and conduct it more efficiently and grandly to ensure that every devotee around the world gets to know about this celestial event.
The trust, which had been doing Nithya annadhanam and offering padayal daily for over 10 months by then, was happy to take the responsibility of conducting the event. It is divine intervention or the ploy of Kodi Swamigal to make the trust undertake this annual event after making them understand the importance of padayal and annadhanam once they started Nithya Annadhanam on May 27th 2018.
The trust, which had been doing Nithya annadhanam and offering padayal daily for over 10 months by then, was happy to take the responsibility of conducting the event. It is divine intervention or the ploy of Kodi Swamigal to make the trust undertake this annual event after making them understand the importance of padayal and annadhanam once they started Nithya Annadhanam on May 27th 2018.
Dhanushkodi Thava Bhoomi temple
restoration work by the trust
restoration work by the trust
The trust overseeing the temple’s upkeep ensures that regular maintenance is carried out, including the essential task of setting up sturdy roofs to shield the sacred space from the elements. This commitment to preservation ensures that the temple remains a sanctuary for devotees seeking solace and divine connection amidst the wind and water swept shores of Dhanushkodi.
Setting up of a roof over the shrine in Feb 2020.
Wide area coverage to ensure the shrine is receving good amount of shade
Cement flooring was made for seating inside the Annadhanam hut in 2020
Feb 2021 - Fencing around the shrine to prevent of misuse
Fencing around the shrine to ensure the animals dont break into
Jan 2023 - Bamboo thatch roofing to withstand heat and ensure a comfortable experience for devotees.
DHANUSHKODI
Kodi Swamigal Thava bhoomi at Dhanushkodi.
The Shrine, The Annadhanam center and Kodi Swamigal Guru Paadhuka.Picture taken during 24th year Kadal Poojai on Feb 26th, 2024
Marupoojai (Kadal Poojai closing ceremony), Dhanushkodi
Marupoojai, an offering to the Sea Mother, every year, it is the closing ceremony ritual the day after Kadal Poojai. The padayal offered during marupoojai is given to the Bay of Bengal, which is considered as the feminine aspect.
Divine Instructions
In the year 2022, Kodi Swamigal instructed the members of the trust to offer marupoojai - the mark of gratitude to be given to the Sea Mother. He instructed us to offer this next day after Kadal Poojai. Outlining the process and what goes into offering marupoojai were all given by Kodi Swamigal through his divine interactions.
Random visuals in dreams to devotees.
Many devotees have narrated random instances of visuals of the Sea Mother appearing and blessing the devotees at Thava Bhoomi Temple, in Dhanushkodi.
These narrations have been reported to the members of the trust. While we could not interpret these experiences which are beyond our logic and understanding.
When Kodi Swamigal initiated this practice, we could then connect the dots, and it is also a sign shown to us before, as always. These random narrations of Sea Mother appearing and blessing the people is exactly what Kodi Swamigal asked us to seek when offering the Marupoojai. It is purely his grace that we could offer such a powerful tradition at the holiest place on earth.
Many devotees have narrated random instances of visuals of the Sea Mother appearing and blessing the devotees at Thava Bhoomi Temple, in Dhanushkodi.
These narrations have been reported to the members of the trust. While we could not interpret these experiences which are beyond our logic and understanding.
When Kodi Swamigal initiated this practice, we could then connect the dots, and it is also a sign shown to us before, as always. These random narrations of Sea Mother appearing and blessing the people is exactly what Kodi Swamigal asked us to seek when offering the Marupoojai. It is purely his grace that we could offer such a powerful tradition at the holiest place on earth.
Sea Mother, showering her blessings on the devotees who have gathered at Thavabhoomi in Dhanushkodi
Conceptual artwork
The Forgotten tradition
A sacred tradition once practised by the fishermen of Dhanushkodi. This ritual was their heartfelt expression of gratitude to the sea for blessing them with abundant harvests throughout the year. However, over time, this ancient custom had faded into history. With the divine intervention of Kodi Swamigal, our trust now offers this traditional practice of thanksgiving every year after the Kadal Poojai.
When Kodi Thatha first instructed us to carry out the marupoojai, it brought a flood of memories from our fishermen’s tradition, where we would perform a sacred pooja to the sea goddess each year. Somewhere along the way, the practice faded, lost in the transitions of time. Being part of this marupoojai today feels like a blessing, a chance to reconnect with those forgotten roots. For a couple of years now, I've taken the trust members to perform this ritual without fully realising its origins, but now, each marupoojai feels like a revival of a precious heritage—a moment where we honour our past and strengthen the bonds within our community.
Smt.Muthumaari, Local resident of Dhanushkodi
Employed with the trust at Chennai Temple
The Padayal for Marupoojai
The padayal offering for marupoojai is as sacred as that for Kadal Pooja. With deep reverence, we give thanks to the Sea Mother for protecting and sustaining the fishermen’s livelihood. This padayal is offered at the Bay of Bengal, known as Mahodadhi, representing the feminine energy of the sea. By contrast, the padayal for Kadal Pooja is offered at the Indian Ocean, or Ratnakara, which embodies masculine energy. The meeting of Mahodadhi and Ratnakara at the sacred spot of rama setu in arichal munai at Dhanushkodi symbolizes the union of male and female energies—a powerful act of creation and life.
The process of marupoojai
The divine guidance of Kodi Swamigal clearly outlined how to offer marupoojai. The ritual consisted of three parts.
1. The Journey to offer Padayal.
2. Things to offer in Padayal
3. The offering of Padayal
1. The Journey to offer Padayal.
2. Things to offer in Padayal
3. The offering of Padayal
The ritual in action
Kodi Swamigal instructed the members to begin their journey from the shrine to the shores of the Bay of Bengal early in the morning. Along the way, while travelling through the backwaters, he guided a devotee to offer nelpori (puffed rice) to the fish. According to the shastras, this act honours the ancestors (pitrus) and helps cleanse karmic sins. Following Swamigal's divine guidance, members offer this food to the fish at Dhanushkodi—the sacred land of pitru moksha—to seek relief from pitru doshas and bring peace to their ancestors.
The Offerings for marupoojai
As per his divine instructions, Members of the trust prepared the offerings for the sea mother which included a set of things one would give as an offering to a sumangali in our culture. Saree, Bangles, Mangal sutra, flowers, Turmeric & Kumkum, Betel Leaves. All these are part of what we call as Thamboolam.
The Naivedhyam (Food offering) is sweet Pongal, which is a symbolic representation of offering sweet to the Sea Mother to show our gratitude.
The Naivedhyam (Food offering) is sweet Pongal, which is a symbolic representation of offering sweet to the Sea Mother to show our gratitude.
Through this sacred act of gratitude offering, we continue to honour the Sea Mother and work tirelessly towards restoring Dhanushkodi’s spiritual and cultural legacy.
Maru poojai (Kadal Poojai closing ceremony), Dhanushkodi
Marupoojai for the sea mother
Offerings placed on the shores of the Bay of Bengal for the marupoojai
Backwaters walk
Members walk inside the backwaters to reach the shores of the Bay of Bengal
Thanking the sea mother
Offering to the sea mother
Thanking her for the bountiful harvest throughout the year, the offering is given to her by the members of the trust.
Marupoojai at Bay of Bengal, Dhanushkodi
Members of the trust offering marupoojai padayal after 23rd Kadal Poojai on March 9th, 2023
Kadal Poojai at Dhanushkodi organised by our trust
Since 2019
Since 2019
Every year, our trust tirelessly works with volunteers, service providers, government officials, local body authorities & local community at Dhanushkodi to ensure this grand function for Kodi Swamigal happens smoothly. The incoming traffic of devotees to this remote place is well handled with adequate planning.
