Agasthiyar Vazhipaadu

The Saga of The Sacred Statue

On November 19, 2002, Sage Agastya, while explaining the significance of the idol that was picked up by me as a little girl, said "I want you to carve a few more idols of me in the same size as this one. You have the ability. I will give you the time and inspiration to do this. Remember it is to be given as a gift only to those who know me or who have extreme devotion to the Divine Mother, because I always reside where the Divine Mother who created me resides. "

It was this idol - just two inches tall which began the entire blessed experience of giving of the Vazhipaadu.

In the chapter ‘Significance of the Figurine’, where Sage Agastya gives more details of how the idol arrived at our doorstep, I had written footnotes thus: “Gajaraj Swamigal never fulfilled this direction since the giving of the Vazhipaadu and all the other incidents surrounding it including the arrival of many devotees, Satsangs and pilgrimages took up most of his time. Just as many of these discourses seem to touch a reader and feels like the message is meant for them, it is possible that this direction was given with the full knowledge of the great Sage that someone who is already chosen, will read this and realize that they are meant to carry out this sacred task.”

Little was I to know that these words would come true sooner than I thought. In March 2026! Mehul Dhar of the United Arab Emirates reached out to offer to get replicas of the sacred idol of the great Sage carved and distribute it to devotees. Jai Sri, also from UAE carefully researched sculptors and found Lokesh, who owns ‘Appar Woodworks’ in Tiruvallur.

These two blessed souls fulfilled the work that Gajaraj Swamigal had not completed. Mehul says in great humility: “Aadesh of Guru is always first. It was an unfinished task that needed completion.”

It appears that Sage Agastya wanted to ensure that blessed brother James Gunter Thomas of UK too has a hand in this work. It was James who was instrumental in connecting me to people worldwide when this work was unknown. He has remained a strong pillar by my side. He created the image with facial features as a prototype illustration for the sculptors. Mehul proceeded to have 50 replicas of the idols made.

Jai, the other blessed soul who is sponsoring the statues says: “Namaskaram, I am very delighted to be part of this group. I am very thankful to my dear spiritual mate Mehul and sister Anuradha for giving me this wonderful opportunity to remake the Agastya idol. I feel that Agastya is once again guiding us towards Satya Yuga by blessing us with positive and sacred activities.”

A couple, Muralidhar Adamane and his wife Gayathri Kulamarava, volunteered to help with Vazhipaadu work. They drove all the way from Bangalore, to Tiruvallur to bring the idols safely back from the sculptor.

As is very common in any work taken up by the great Sage, the blessed couple were guided to get the idols blessed at the Ganesha temple at Kanipakam. Even though we had planned otherwise, the Sage made sure that the idols were then blessed at the installation ceremony of Lord Nataraja at the sacred place of Tiruvannamalai, at Gayathri Maa’s ashram. And since then, the idols are reaching the blessed ones who have helped with Sage Agastya’s work on auspicious days, just as the books did.

Everything works according to the great Sage's plan. Even the choice of Sculptor Lokesh of Appar Woodworks, Thiruvallur in TamilNadu.

It was only as I spoke to him I realized how much importance and devotion Lokesh has put into this work. The much-awaited Agastya Muni series by noted documentary film maker Prem K.V will feature this sacred work in the episode dedicated to Agathiyar Vazhipaadu.

Venkat Gururajan is another blessed soul in United States who has been inspired to get an additional 50 replicas made for distribution in the US.

Others who are interested in ordering statues, may contact Lokesh of Appa Woodworks on +91 70108 69738.