NE SPIRITUAL BUREAU
COIMBATORE, JAN 11
The Adiyogi Rath Yatra, organised by the Thenkailaya Bakthi Peravai, will commence on January 16 from Tirunelveli. Devotees will carry the Adiyogi chariot on a 500-km foot pilgrimage from Suchindram to Coimbatore, inviting people to participate in the 31st Maha Shivaratri celebrations on February 26.
- Devotees will carry the Adiyogi chariot on a 500-km foot pilgrimage from Suchindram to Coimbatore, inviting people to participate in the 31st Maha Shivaratri celebrations on February 26
- Starting January 21, it will travel through districts such as Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Sivagangai, and Ramanathapuram
- The chariot, crafted from Vagai wood and weighing 2 tons, also carries idols of the revered saints Appar, Sundarar, Manikkavachakar, and Tirugnanasambandar
Addressing a press conference on Thursday at the Tirunelveli Press Club, Arumugham, a volunteer from the Thenkailaya Bakthi Peravai, stated, “This annual chariot yatra is a means to invite the public to the grand Maha Shivaratri celebrations at Isha. For those unable to visit Coimbatore, it offers a chance to experience Adiyogi in their own towns.”
The 2025 Adiyogi Chariot Yatra was officially launched at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore. The routes heading east and south were inaugurated on December 11 by His Holiness Srīlasrī Mācīlāmaṇi Dēśika Jñānasambandha Paramacharya Swamigal of the Dharmapuram Aadheenam. The northern and western routes were flagged off on December 22 by Thavathiru Perur Aadheenam Marudhasala Adigalar and Thavathiru Siravai Aadheenam Kumaragurubara Swamigal.
From January 16, the chariot will visit Tirunelveli and surrounding areas, including Koodangulam and Ambasamuthiram. Starting January 21, it will travel through districts such as Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Sivagangai, and Ramanathapuram. In every location, the chariot is expected to receive a warm welcome from prominent leaders, Shiva devotees, and the public. Devotees can offer deepa aradhana, flowers, fruits, and naivedyam to Adiyogi.
The chariot, crafted from Vagai wood and weighing 2 tons, also carries idols of the revered saints Appar, Sundarar, Manikkavachakar, and Tirugnanasambandar. This year’s pilgrimage will culminate with a sacred trek to the Velliyangiri Mountain.
Additionally, arrangements for live-streaming the Maha Shivaratri celebrations have been made at 50 locations across Tamil Nadu. In Tirunelveli district, live-streaming will take place at Nellai Sangeetha Sabha, Koodangulam, and Ambasamuthiram. Participants will receive complimentary Rudraksha beads, Sadhguru’s book Ananda Alai, and Maha Annadhanam, a sacred offering of food.
Transportation facilities have been arranged for devotees from distant districts to travel to Coimbatore. Over two months, the Adiyogi chariots will traverse 1,000 villages, covering 30,000 km, before converging at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore on February 26.
Adiyogi Ratham to commence from Erode on January 14
The Adiyogi Ratham, organised by the Thenkailaya Bhakthi Peravai, will begin in Erode on January 14th. Devotees from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka will embark on a Pada Yatra or foot pilgrimage with six Adiyogi chariots, heading towards Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore. Hundreds of devotees are expected to participate.
The 31st Maha Shivratri festival at Isha, scheduled for February 26th, will be celebrated with grandeur. To invite the general public and bring the darshan of Adiyogi closer to those unable to visit Coimbatore, this annual journey of the Adiyogi Ratham ensures the divine presence reaches their hometowns.
The 2025 journey o the Adiyogi Ratham was inaugurated in front of the Adiyogi at Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore. On December 11th, the Ratham heading towards the eastern and southern directions was flagged off by Dharmapuram Aadheenam’s Srile Sri Masilamani Desika Gnanasambanda Paramacharya Swamigal. Similarly, the Ratham traveling towards the northern and western directions was inaugurated on December 22nd by Thavathiru Perur Aadheenam Marudachala Adigalar and Thavathiru Siravai Aadheenam Kaumaramatalayam Swamigal. Four specially designed vehicles, each featuring a six-foot-tall statue of Adiyogi, will be part of this grand procession.
In Erode district, the Ratham will travel through Kodumudi, Perundurai, Sathiyamangalam, Gobichettipalayam, and Anthiyur. Between January 14th and 16th, it will visit prominent locations, including the Periya Mariamman Temple, The Oasis Restaurant, Isha Nursery, and Ganapathipalayam. At each location, prominent leaders, devotees of Lord Shiva, and the general public will offer a warm reception. Devotees can express their devotion by lighting lamps or offering flowers, fruits, and naivedya.
Additionally, the annual “Shiva Pada Yatra” will see Shivanga devotees from places like Mysuru, Chennai, Nagercoil, Coimbatore, Pollachi, and Pattukkottai pulling six wooden chariots featuring the Adiyogi Shiva. A special chariot carrying the Adiyogi alongside the idols of the 63 Nayanmars will travel from Chennai towards Coimbatore. The other five chariots will also feature idols of the four revered saints: Appar, Sundarar, Manikkavacakar, and Thirugnanasambandar.
The Maha Shivratri festival at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore will be broadcast live at 50 locations across Tamil Nadu. In Erode district, the live broadcast will be available at Parimalam Mahal on Perundurai Road and the Linga Bhairavi Temple at Akkarai Kodiveri on Gobi-Sathy Main Road.