About Nachiyapuram
Nachiapuram, a nagarathar village in Sivagangai District of Tamil Nadu in India has a history of XXX years and was named after the goddess 'Nachiar Amman'. While a small village, nachiapuram have been historically blessed with many temples: Nachiar Amman Temple, Sivan Temple, ‘Mapillai’ Vinayagar Temple, and Thandayuthapani Temple in the village while Kaattu Nachi Amman Temple in the outskirts. There are two ponds in the village, the Amman Kovil Oorani and Sivan Koil Oorani, which make it even more flourishing. Schools are present there for more than a century, the Jeyamkonda Vinayagar Elementary School and Jeyamkonda Vinayagar High School adds to the glory of the village. The new jewel in this God’s paradise is Shri Sai Paani Baba Temple in the Kambanur - Nachiapuram route.
Shri Sai Manika Vinayagar
The temple ouses Shri Sai Manika Vinayagar, the god of new beginnings and success, for worship at the entrance. An interesting aspect about Shri Sai Manika Vinayagar is that this sculpture was found at the shores of Mahabalipuram, the land of Pallavas, worshipped by a trustee family for nearly two decades before coming to Shri Sai Paani Baba temple.
Shri Sai Paani Baba
Shri Sai Paani Baba, the divine, the healer, the guide, the companion, the friend, the philosopher, the gentle parent, the strict master, and the universe, who takes infinite forms in the hearts of the devotees grace us as “Shri Paani Baba” in Nachiapuram. Shri Paani Baba, the main deity, made in marble(?) weighing a ton sits elegantly in the sanctum gazing at the devotees with his glowing face, merciful eyes, and mesmerizing smile creates a serene ambience. A spiritual connection between Shri Paani Baba and the devotees is instant, inevitable, eternal, filled with elated emotions which one never wants to part with.
Shri Sai Paani Baba
A unique feature in Shri Paani Baba temple in Nachiapuram is that any devotee can personally perform abhishegam with water (in hindi “Paani” “पानी”) at any time during the temple hours for a small Paani Baba replica housed right beside the main deity. This gives devotees an opportunity to be intimate with Shri Paani Baba and to be grateful for his blessings. An eco-friendly infrastructure is built in the form of “Raasathi Kinaru” (ராசாத்தி கிணறு) to provide water for abhishegam throughout the year. The water showered on Shri Paani Baba reaches Raasathi Kinaru and is recycled. Historically, Nachiapuram had limited underground water as well as rainfall. Whether it is a miracle or coincidence, ever since Shri Paani Baba arrived, Nachiapuram had substantial rainfall.
Both the main deity and the replica has Nandi Devar (Lord Mahadeva Vaganam) and Tortoise (Lord Vishnu’s Avathar) in front of them, respectively. Nandi symbolizes success, calm, assertive, guardian or protector, and master (Guru). Tortoise symbolizes health and prosperity. As described in vedic literature where kurma avatar (gave stability to churn the ocean for amirtham (Elixir), worshiping Tortoise in Shri Paani Baba temple will give devotees the strength and the focus on life.
Shri Sai Anna Baba
Shri Sai Paani Baba temple also has a 7 feet tall Sai Anna Baba (Anam meaning Food) who has both his hands immersed in a cooking pot inviting the devotees into the temple as “Aavo” Sai [Aavo means ‘come in'] right at the entrance. Amongst all types of charities, annadhanam is believed to be the finest because one who senses the hunger and feeds the needy, feeds God himself. Sai Baba wanted to feed the universe and started cooking food for every one with love. Universality and Equality were his principles. Aligned with his vision, “annadhanam to all” is a frequent feature in Shri Paani Baba temple.
It's surprising to note that, this anna baba here is actually 2nd of the twins. First of twins, was the Anna Baba at Chennai, who was planned to be kept at Paani Baba temple. It was an early arrival. The blessed devotees, developed a quick bonding with him within a short span of time and was not ready to part with him and he was forced to stay back. He was portrayed, praised, loved and taken care till date with the Chennai devotees. Since then he became the Almighty of the people living nearby, thus not wanting him to leave. He is the one who decides.
Shri Gopuram
On the gopuram of Shri Anna Baba, is the “garden” baba who holds a pot and waters (literally) the gardens in the temple since Sai Baba loves watering plants.
Outside the temple, right in front of Shri Sai Paani Baba, is a divine stone seat under a neem tree where the devotees can sit and meditate peacefully.
Shri Dhuni
Dhuni, the sacred fire created by a magic spell by Baba himself is also created in Shri Sai Paani Baba Temple. This is yet another speciality of this temple. 'Dhuni' is a fire lit by Sai Baba with his metal musical instrument . Dhuni was part and parcel of Sai Baba’s life and it represents the fire inside us that burns our sins and purifies our souls. This Dhuni is lit throughout the year 24 hours a day and the ash produced is collected and given as prasadam to the devotees. Like the thiruneetru padigam says “Mandiram avadhu neeru”, this holy ash (udhi) heals the ailments and gives a secured peaceful feeling.