They predicted that small boys would die of some mysterious disease

It was a small hamlet. The villagers mostly were dependent on farming for their livelihood. People had to travel for 5 km for education, medical aid etc. as there were no basic amenities. The Iyanar temple in the hamlet was considered the most powerful. And, there was a Kali temple near the cremation ground where a festival was being held annually. Meat was offered as the main nivedhana. In those days, buffalo, goat and fowl were sacrificed at the temple for Kali. But, subsequently this practice was discontinued.

One day, suddenly the statue of Kali was found damaged. The people believed it was an evil omen for the hamlet. The villagers gathered in front of the Iyanar temple. Many of them became hysterical as though possessed by some power. They all predicted that small boys would die due to some mysterious disease and that the time would be very bad for the hamlet. They prescribed that hundred buffaloes should be sacrificed at the Kali temple, one on each day. The villagers believed and accepted all their words. At that time, an elderly saint appeared before them. People were struck with wonder. He told the people not to kill any life and offered to pacify the Kali and install a calm Kaliyamma in the village. But the villagers didn’t believe him and considered him as an intruder and felt the saint didn’t have any authority to interfere in the happenings. The saint, who couldn’t convince the people, gave up and started meditating under a neem tree. On that night, the villagers took a buffalo to the Kali temple for sacrificing. But the buffalo, tied to a pillar with ropes broke open the knots and ran away hitting those who came near him with its horns. Then, it reached the neem tree and sat down before the saint calmly. The saint stroked the buffalo gently with love.

The next day morning the villagers rushed to the neem tree on learning that the sacrificial buffalo had taken shelter under the tree with the support of the saint. But the saint didn’t open his eyes, the buffalo also didn’t move. They took another buffalo on that night for sacrifice. And, it also behaved in the same manner and took shelter under the same neem tree. The villagers realized their mistake and apologized to the saint. After this incident, the saint went to the Kali temple and prayed earnestly. In five minutes, an idol of a calm and benevolent Kali appeared there and the people heard a voice from the sky which said, “The saint is Kali siddha, my devotee. You all listen to him. I don’t want any sacrifice, I’ll protect you all. If you pray to me earnestly, I’ll come to your rescue.” At this, all the villagers fell at the feet of the saint.

This incident happened in a small hamlet near Erumainaickenpatti village. People there are leading a very happy life even today. The God never comes straight to us; He sends siddhas as His representatives in times of need and emergency.