Abhaya Meenakshi – Our Guardian of Grace

Many years ago, my maternal great-grandparents opened their home to a Brahmin couple who arrived at their doorstep, asking for a place to stay. Moved by the quiet grace they carried, they offered the couple shelter, giving them a room in the house and supporting them with provisions and milk. During the couple’s stay, the family began to experience a series of positive events—as though their presence had brought divine blessings. Interestingly, this entire incident had been foreseen in a dream by Sambu Anni, my great-grandmother’s sister. In the dream, a couple dressed in simple clothes, their faces radiating compassion and evoking reverence, were seen walking toward the house—just as it later happened in real life.

The lady was known as Abhaya Meenakshi. After her husband passed away, she chose to remain with the family and eventually embraced the path of a sanyasini. Over time, people began coming from far and wide to seek her blessings. She was seen as a harbinger of good fortune.

When she passed away in 1939, as per tradition for sanyasis, she was buried, not cremated. A simple samadhi was established on my great-grandfather’s land in Thirukolakka and a Shiva Lingam was installed. The little shrine became a quiet place of reverence. Over time, it came to be known as Samadhu Koil.

My mother recalls her father saying that the samadhi shrine was established when her eldest brother, Navaneetha Krishnan, was just one year old. My uncle (mama), as a young boy, would go with his grandmother to light the lamp at the samadhi every day.

For many years, no one came seeking Abhaya Meenakshi or her origins. But in 1983, a man visited my grandfather Ramachandran. His name was Viswanathan and he worked in the Stock Exchange in Broadway, Chennai. He had a dream in which Abhaya Meenakshi herself appeared. She said that she was his ancestor and was buried in a field in Thirukolakka. She also said that the simple temple constructed at the site was getting run down and must be restored. In the dream, Viswanathan asked his ancestor Abhaya Meenakshi, “How will I find out where this is?” The reply came: “Go see Ramachandran of Thirukolakka.”

Viswanathan took a train and reached Sirkali and first went to his friend Mahalinga Aiyer’s house. He related the strange dream and remarked, “How will I find this Ramachandran, and speak to him about the dream?!” He was totally taken aback when Mahalinga Aiyer replied, “Oh you mean Thirukolakka Ramachandran. He is my friend and we both meet very often. Yes, he has told me about the Samadhu Koil…Come, I will take you to his house myself…”

My mama Elango narrated to me that Viswanathan met my thatha and also gave him an amount of Rs 5000 to build the temple as his initial contribution.

My grandfather used Rs 1500 of the money to purchase bricks and deposited the rest in the bank. But before he could begin the construction, he passed away in 1987. A few days before my grandfather passed away, Abhaya Meenakshi came in Viswanathan’s dream saying, “Go to Sirkali immediately!” When Viswanathan arrived at Sirkali he first went to Mahalinga Aiyer’s house. Viswanathan was shocked to hear his friend saying, “Ramachandran died a few hours ago!”

Eventually, the land was sold to my uncle Elango’s friend, Imayavaramban, who continued to care for the samadhi with deep reverence. His household, too, witnessed many auspicious happenings.

Thanks to his tireless efforts—and the support of several others—the temple was finally restored in 2013.  The Kumbabishekam held that year was a memorable and well-attended event. It was especially meaningful for our family, as my eldest mama, who had once lit the lamp there as a child, attended the ceremony and was honoured with special prominence.

Now, twelve years later, the time has come for the next Kumbabishekam. It was well conducted on 2nd May 2025. Sri Masilamani Desiga Gnanasambanda Swamigal,  the 27th Guru Maha Sannidhanam of the Dharumapura adheenam graced the event and blessed the devotees. The temple is now known as Abhaya Meenakshi Sidhar Peeda Aalayam.

Though her origins remain a mystery, Abhaya Meenakshi has been a guiding force and guardian spirit for our family through the generations. Her quiet presence continues to bless those who seek her.

Thirukolakka, where this temple is located in Sirkazhi is a sacred town well known for the Paadal Petra Sthalam, the Thaalapureeswarar, and Osai Nayagi temple. In fact you can see the Gopuram of the Thaalapureeswarar temple from this little shrine. So if you are in Sirkali and visiting the well known temples in this region do step into Abaya Meenakshi Sidhar peedam  too to receive HER blessings.