Vadalur

     Vadalur is an important place associated with Saint Ramalinga Adigal, southwest of Cuddalore.  He is the author of Thiruvarutpa and a spiritual superman of yester years.  He finally settled in this place and built an octagonal structure called ‘Satya Gnana Sabha’ here.  This spot was chosen purposefully by him because one could see all the four towers of Chidambaram temple from here.  The sanctum of this sabhai or temple is sanctum of this sabhai or temple is separated from the main hall by seven screens and only on ‘Thai Poosam Day’ in December-January all of them are lifted, otherwise only three will be removed.  Jothi or eternal light is worshipped here.  There is also a dharmasala which feeds all the people who came here.  It is said that the hearth lighted by Ramalinga Adigal is still kept burning.  Nearby is Mettukuppam where one can see the room in which the saint located himself and instructed not to open it till a stipulated time.  People in anxiety opened it before the due date and to their surprise no trace of him could be seen there.

Vallalar

     Sri Ramalinga Adigalar (Arutperum jothi) was born in Vadalur on 5.10.1823 as 5th son of Sri Ramaiya Pillai & Sinnammaiyar. From 1870, Vallalar lived in Siththi Valagam at Metukuppam.  On 30.1.1874 (death) he became “” Arutperum Jothi”. A unique prayer hall was built by Vallalar in this place in 1872.