DianaX6283 at 06:14, 9 February 2026

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{{Short description|Indian ascetic}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2023}}
'''Kalangi [[Natha]]r''' was an Indian ascetic who belonged to both the [[natha]] tradition of northern India and the [[siddha]] tradition of southern India. He was the [[guru]] of saint [[Bhogar]] and was born in [[Varanasi]] and belonged to the ancient tradition of [[Navnath|nava (nine) nātha]] [[sadhu]]s (holy ascetics), tracing their tradition to [[Shiva]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=An Oceanic Life Story {{!}} Palani Temple|url=http://palani.org/bhogar_biography.htm|website=Palani.org}}</ref>

There are [[Siddhar|18 Siddhars]] popularly known in [[Tamil literature]]. Kalangi Nathar is the one among the 18 Siddhars.<ref>{{Cite book |last=V Prasad |first=Kaushik |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Predicting_Career_Through_Nadi_Astrology/bUWWEQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Kalangi%20Nathar%22%20-Bharatpedia&pg=PP11&printsec=frontcover |title=Predicting Career through Nadi Astrology |year=2025 |isbn=9798900077789}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Salem District |first=Government of Tamilnadu |title=Temples |url=https://salem.nic.in/tourism/temples/#:~:text=Kalangi%20Siddhar%20is%20one%20among,on%20the%20way%20to%20EIampillai.}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Kalani Nathar {{!}} ADHIPARASAKTHI Temple |url=https://pallikaranaisakthi.org/18-siddhas/18-tamil-siddhas/kalanginathar/ |website=pallikaranaisakthi.org}}</ref> Kalangi stayed in [[Sathuragiri Hills]] and in [[Pothigai]] hills and is believed to have controlled wild animals with [[mantra]]s. Kalangi is known for his tall physique and was an expert in the art of breath control (vaasi [[yoga]]m).<ref name=":0" />

Kalangi nathar is a disiple of siddhar [[Tirumular|Thirumular]] and he is considered to be one of his seven pupils.<ref>{{Cite book |last=V.R.R |first=Dikshitar |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/45436553?read-now=1&seq=4#page_scan_tab_contents |title=THE SIDDHARS OF SOUTH INDIA |year=1944 |pages=162-67 |jstor=}}</ref> He is associated with the [[Kanjamalai]] hill in southern India and is often referred to us "Kanjamalai [[Siddhar]]".{{efn|The word "kanjam" stands for the following — gold, copper and iron and "malai" means hill. It is said that [[Parantaka I|Parantaka Chola]] who built [[Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram|Sri Nataraja temple]] with the golden roof, took gold from this hill. The water falls seen on this hill are called "Ponni Nadhi".}} He attained [[moksha|mukti]] on this hill, near [[Kanchipuram]], where his [[samadhi]], now known as the Sidhhar Kovil temple, is still located. The hill is found in Sivathapuram a small village, 12 km away from [[Salem, India]], enroute to [[Elampillai]]. The temple is also associated with [[Kali]] and [[Murugan]].

==Biography==
Kalangi Nathar was born in Kasi (benares).<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Prasuram |first=Vijayabharatham |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Pride_of_Tamilnadu_Spiritual_Gurus/r4o2EQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1 |title=Pride of Tamilnadu Spiritual Gurus |year=2024}}</ref> According to Bhogar's poems Kalangi was his father, which would mean that he was from the Porkollar (goldsmith) or the [[Vishwakarma]] caste.<ref>{{Cite book |last=B.K |first=Pandey |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Encyclopaedia_of_Indian_Philosophers/zsROAQAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22Kalangi+Nathar%22+-Bharatpedia&dq=%22Kalangi+Nathar%22+-Bharatpedia&printsec=frontcover |title=Encyclopaedia of indian Philosophers by B.K.Pandey |year=2008}}</ref> Boghar glorifies Kalangi in many of his verses. Kalangi and Bhogar were considered to possess an ideal master and student relationship. It is said that they had a mutual spiritual progresses. Kalangi especially took care of the spiritual advancement of his disciple Bhogar and was behind Bhogar's development and innovations.

He was the disciple of the great [[siddhar]] [[Tirumular]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Proceedings/bx7jAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22Kalangi+Nathar%22+-Bharatpedia&dq=%22Kalangi+Nathar%22+-Bharatpedia&printsec=frontcover |title=Proceedings |publisher=Indian History Congress |year=1944}}</ref> He is one among the seven disciples whom Tirumular bestowed his knowledge, the other six being Indran, Soman, Rudhran, Kanduru, Brahman, and Kanjamalaiyan.

== Legacy ==
Kalangi Nathar is an [[Immortality|immortal]] Siddha and a world-renowned teacher of [[alchemy]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mark amaru |first=Pinkham |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/The_Return_of_the_Serpents_of_Wisdom/IspS46HFPv0C?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22Kalangi+Nathar%22+-Bharatpedia&pg=PT194&printsec=frontcover |title=The return of the serpents of wisdom |publisher=Adventures Unlimited Press |year=2011 |isbn=9781935487371}}</ref> He was well-versed in the [[Siddhi|ashtama siddhi]] (eight great siddhis), which include the ability to transfer one's soul into another body.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |year=2026 |title=Deepam |url=https://kalkionline.com/magazines/deepam/kalangi-nathar-siddhar-temple-kanjamalai-salem-guide}}</ref> He established and guided seven monasteries. He met many Siddhas. It is said that he possessed the power to fly like the wind.<ref name=":2" /> In China, Kalanginathar instructed Siddhar Bogar in all aspects of the Siddha sciences.<ref name=":3" /> These included the preparation and use of the [[kayakalpa]] herbal formulae to promote longevity. He is talented in the medicinal field and uses herbs to cure the diseases of his devotees.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Linker |first=Ione |title=Kaya kalpa and the alchemical tradition in ayurveda and siddha medicine |url=https://www.ayurvedacollege.com |publisher=California College of Ayurveda (2009)}}</ref> Bhogar Jnana Sagarama (Bhogar’s Oceanic Life Story, consisting of 557 verses, verse number 2, lines number 3 and 4), Bogar states that the great Siddha Kalangi Nathar initiated him in [[Jñāna yoga|Jnana Yoga]] (''Kriya Dhyana yogam'') - supreme self-knowledge.<ref name=":4" /> Bogar received initiation from the illustrious Natha Yogi, Kalangi. Contemplative insight allegedly guided Bogar to construct a primitive form of [[aircraft]] that he used in a journey to China.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Siddha Boganathar, An Oceanic Life Story |url=https://www.energyenhancement.org/BHOGAR-The-Tamil-Siddar-Kundalini-Yoga-Spiritual-Alchemy-THE-KUNDALINI-KEY-SUFI-DOME-MINARET-CHAKRAS-JHANAS-STUPA-BUDDHISM-ATLAS-GREEK-MYTH.htm |website=energyenhancement.org}}</ref>

== Works ==
Kalanginathar Vagara Thiraviyam

Kalanginathar Vaithiya Kaaviyam

Kalanginathar Gnanasaraamsam

Kalanginathar Gnana poojavithi

Kalanginathar Indirajaala Gnanam

Kalanginathar Gnana Soothiram

Kalanginathar Upadesa Gnanam

Kalanginathar Thandagam

== Last part of life ==
Kalangi nathar decided to enter into samadhi in seclusion for 3000 years. He summoned bhoganathar telepathically from tamilnadu to china to take over his mission. Bhoganathar traveled by sea, following the trade route. After Kalagi Nathar entered into trance, Bhoganathar assumed his teaching mission to the chinese. Kalanginathar attained the immortal state at the ago of 315.<ref name=":1" />

==Identification with other saints==
===Kamalamuni===
Kalangi Nathar is often believed to be the same as the saint Kamalamuni. In the 63rd song of ''Kamalamuni Suthiram 76'', a line states "Kamalamuni alias Kalangi".

The following information is available about Sri Kamalamuni in the book ''Bogar 7000'' written by Bhogar.
*Song 5729: Kamalamuni was born in the Tamil month of [[Vaikasi]] (May — June), his birth star being the second part of [[Poosam]].
*Song 5725: The [[siddhar]] named Kamalamuni belongs to Kuravar caste. He lived for six-eight generations.
*Song 5841: Kamalamuni is 4000 years and some 300 odd (days) old. He lived in China for a long time.

However, [[Karuvurar]] in his book ''Vadha Kaviyam'' (song 584) says that "Maamuni" belonged to the "Kannar" caste. He does not explicitly say "Kamalamuni", but only mentions the name of "Maamuni". It is not clearly known whether Karuvurar refers to Kamalamuni or not.{{citation needed|date=November 2014}}

In ''Bhogar Janana Sasthra'', it is mentioned that Kamalamuni attained samadhi at [[Madurai]]. It is believed that siddhar Kamalamuni attained samadhi at [[Thiruvarur]].

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://palani.org/bhogar-biography.htm Bhogar]. ''Palani.org''.

[[Category:Indian Hindu saints]]
[[Category:Indian expatriates in China]]
[[Category:Confucius]]
[[Category:Tamil Hindu saints]]
[[Category:Scholars from Varanasi]]
[[Category:People from Salem, Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:People from Kanchipuram district]]
[[Category:Gurus]]
[[Category:Indian Shaivite religious leaders]]
[[Category:Navnath]]
[[Category:Indian yogis]]
[[Category:Rishis]]

Kalangi Nathar - Revision history

DianaX6283 at 06:14, 9 February 2026