NE SPIRITUAL BUREAU
ERODE, JAN 6
As the sacred night of Isha Mahashivratri approaches, the Adiyogi Rath Yatra is sweeping across the Kongu region, turning streets, villages and temple towns into vibrant spaces of devotion and inner reflection. Jointly organised by the Thenkailaya Bhakti Peravai, along with the Sirvai and Perur Aadheenams, the yatra is carrying the living presence of Adiyogi Shiva deep into local communities, igniting spiritual fervour wherever it passes.
As part of this ongoing sacred journey, the Adiyogi Ratham will arrive in Erode on January 15 and remain in the city for two days. During this time, devotees will have the rare opportunity to receive Adiyogi’s darshan within their own neighbourhoods, transforming everyday spaces into sanctified grounds of grace.
- Adiyogi Rath Yatra transforms towns and villages into living spaces of devotion
- Sacred chariot to reach Erode on January 15, bringing Adiyogi’s darshan to neighbourhoods
- Open spiritual call to Mahashivratri at Isha Yoga Center and to seekers unable to travel
- A 30,000-km pilgrimage uniting temples, traditions and transcendence across Tamil Nadu
Details of the yatra were shared at a press meet held at The Oasis Restaurant in Erode, where members of the Thenkailaya Bhakti Peravai, including Auditor Raveendran, Industrialist Sivasankaran and Gandhimathi, addressed the media and outlined the spiritual scope and outreach of the pilgrimage.
The Adiyogi Rath Yatra serves as an open spiritual invitation to participate in the grand Isha Mahashivratri celebrations at the Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore, scheduled for February 15. At the same time, it brings Adiyogi’s presence to those who may be unable to travel, ensuring that the essence of Mahashivratri reaches devotees where they live.
Extending the spiritual reach further, the Isha Mahashivratri celebrations in Coimbatore will be live-streamed at over 60 locations across Tamil Nadu. In Erode, live screenings will be held at Maheswari Mahal; at the Linga Bhairavi Temples in Gobi and Salem; at Harvey Kumarasamy Kalyana Mandapam, Tiruppur; and at multiple locations including Rasipuram, Mettur and Velayuthampalayam—ensuring that the sacred spirit of Mahashivratri flows far and wide.
The Kongu region leg of the yatra was inaugurated on December 17 at the iconic 112-foot Adiyogi statue at the Isha Yoga Center by Perur Aadheenam Marudhasala Adigalar and Sirvai Aadheenam Kumaragurubara Swamigal. From there, the ratha yatra began its passage through Thevaram-revered Shiva temples across the historic Kongu region.
The Adiyogi Ratham has already traversed Gobichettipalayam on December 23, passing through Anthiyur, Bhavani, Sankagiri, Mettur, Mecheri and several other towns, before arriving at Rasipuram on January 6, 2026. The sacred journey continues through Kollimalai Arappaleeswarar Temple, Namakkal (January 7), Kailasanathar Temple at the foothills of the Arthanareeswarar Hill in Tiruchengode (January 8), and Velayuthampalayam (January 9).
The yatra will then pass through Karur (January 10–11), Kodumudi Magudeswarar Temple (January 12), Vellakovil (January 13) and Kangeyam (January 14), before reaching Erode on January 15. The Rath Yatra will be held across Erode city and surrounding areas on January 15 and 16, followed by Perundurai (January 17) and Sathyamangalam (January 18). From January 19 onwards, it will continue through Avinashi, Palladam, Tiruppur, Coimbatore and the Nilgiris region.
Each Adiyogi Ratham is meticulously crafted and carries a 7-foot-tall Adiyogi idol. A total of four such sacred chariots are journeying across Tamil Nadu. Over the two-month period leading up to Mahashivratri, these chariots will collectively travel nearly 30,000 kilometres, passing through more than 1,000 villages and over 250 Paadal Petra Shiva temples.
At every halt, the chariots are received with deep reverence by Aadheenams, local leaders, devotees and residents. Deepa aradhana, floral offerings, fruits and naivedyam are offered to Adiyogi, turning each stop into a moment of collective prayer, silence and surrender.
Parallel to the Rath Yatra, the annual Shiva Yatra—a foot pilgrimage undertaken by Shivanga devotees—is also underway. Devotees from Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Karnataka are participating by pulling the chariots bearing Adiyogi Shiva. Another group of devotees, carrying a chariot with idols of the 63 Nayanmars, will arrive on foot at the Adiyogi premises in Coimbatore.
