18 Siddhars

The 18 Siddhars are revered saints and yogis in the Tamil Siddha tradition of Southern India. The word “Siddhar” means “one who has attained perfection” and they are believed to have achieved spiritual and material perfection through intense meditation and yoga practices.

The 18 Siddhars are:

1. Agathiyar: He is considered the father of Tamil Siddha tradition and one of the most revered Siddhars. He is believed to have lived during the prehistoric period and authored many works on medicine, astrology, and spirituality.

• Bogar: He is said to have lived during the 6th century AD and was a master of alchemy and medicine. He is known for his work on Kundalini Yoga and his treatise on the use of mercury in medicine.

• Thirumoolar: He is one of the most revered Siddhars and author of the Thirumandiram, a classic Tamil text on yoga and spiritual practice.

• Karuvoorar: He is considered the father of Siddha medicine and is said to have lived during the 10th century AD.

• Pattinathar: He was a wealthy merchant who gave up his worldly possessions and became a wandering ascetic. He is known for his poetry that explores the nature of the divine.

• Sattaimuni: He was a master of Kundalini Yoga and is said to have achieved spiritual enlightenment through intense meditation.

• Ramadevar: He is said to have lived during the 11th century AD and is known for his poetry on the nature of the divine.

• Konganar: He was a master of Kundalini Yoga and is said to have lived during the 10th century AD.

• Sundarar: He was a poet-saint who lived during the 8th century AD and is known for his devotional hymns.

1. Sundaranandar: He was a master of Kundalini Yoga and is said to have lived during the 9th century AD.

1. Cheraman Perumal: He was a king who gave up his throne and became a wandering ascetic. He is known for his poetry on the nature of the divine.

1. Machamuni: He was a master of Kundalini Yoga and is said to have lived during the 9th century AD.

1. Dhanvantri: He is considered the father of Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine.

1. Pambatti Siddhar: He was a master of Kundalini Yoga and is said to have lived during the 10th century AD.

1. Korakkar: He was a master of Kundalini Yoga and is said to have lived during the 11th century AD.

1. Edaikadar: He was a master of Kundalini Yoga and is said to have lived during the 10th century AD.

1. Boganathar: He is known for his work on alchemy and is said to have lived during the 3rd century AD.

1. Agapai Siddhar: Not much is known about him, but he is believed to have lived during the 10th century AD.

The 18 Siddhars are highly revered in the Tamil Siddha tradition and their teachings and practices continue to inspire seekers on the path of spirituality and self-realization.