They saw a siddha in a meditative state under the ground

Seyyar River was totally dry. The villagers used to cross the dry land to fetch things required for their household. One day, they noticed smoke coming from inside the earth. When the smoke was found to be that of incense, the villagers dug the spot. They were surprised to see a siddha in a meditative state under the ground. He was in a state of trance with his eyes closed. He was breathing however. People named him Malapeedaan Siddha. They left him there itself and started worshipping him like a God.

Rains came. Seyyar was overflowing and there was threat of flood. People were afraid that the floodwaters would wash off the siddha also. But to their surprise, they found the water only flowing around him and not disturbing him! When the waters subsided, the people fell at the feet of the siddha and requested him not to continue there in the middle of the river and come to the bank. But the siddha granted their request after so many days only. He walked down to the shade of a tree on the bank. He got another name, Poondi siddha. Whoever prayed to this siddha and made requests, his prayers were answered immediately. Girls, waiting for marriage got married within three months with the blessings of Poondi siddha. Also, many unemployed youth got jobs with his blessings and started leading very good lives. At this juncture, some evil elements wanted to tarnish the image of the siddha and with that intention they set fire around him. The fire started growing. The villagers, on seeing the fire, poured water and tried to extinguish it. But the fire became more widespread and burst into flames. Surprised at this, they stopped pouring water. Within seconds, the fire turned into rose water and the fragrance turned the spot into a scented place. At the same time, the houses of all those who set fire around the siddha caught fire and fireballs chased all those wicked men. Only when they realized their mistake and fell at the feet of Pondi siddha and begged for pardon, the fireballs disappeared. When word spread about this miraculous incident, people from across the world thronged to see the siddha.

At one time, there was no water in Seyyar River. Crops started drying. Farming became an occupation of nobody’s choice. And, there was drought too. Thanks to Poondi siddha, the rain God graced the place with heavy rains. Seyyar was flooding. Poondi siddha became a real God to the villagers.

At a later stage, people started feeling that Poondi siddha’s appearance and actions were like those of Agasthya siddha. They all believed that he was no other than another appearance of sage Agasthya on earth.

Today, Poondi siddha may not be in his physical form, but he is very much with us, helping us during our times of hardship. Problems will come and go, but we shouldn’t lose our heart. Siddhas are with us to encourage us during our times of misery. They give us self-confidence when we pray to them. Poondi siddha is one among the many siddhas who rush to the help of people in trouble.