Tailanga Swami Shrine: The Story Of The Walking Shiva

Tailanga Swami was a great Hindu Yogi who inspired several people over the years. The ashram is nestled in Varanasi, his shrine is a must-visit place. Filled with positive energy, a deep insight into his life, and inspirational chants, the shrine is one of the best places to visit if you wish to get some spiritual guidance. So, just pack your bags, and with a heart filled with devotion head over to this lovely shrine in the holy city of Varanasi.

The Shrine of Sri Tailang Swami Ji

•  Tailanga Swami was called ” The Walking Shiva ” since he had pulled a massive stone from the bottom of the Holy River and placed it right in the middle of the center. And, he was a very close friend of the Lahiri Mahasaya (who revived the Kriya Yoga again to this world.)
• He then worshipped the day and night and believed that the stone was a Shiva Lingam. Since then the stone has been kept inside the temple and is worshipped as Lord Shiva. You can do a proper puja of the Lingam if you wish.

Life of Tailanga Swami JI

• The great Trailanga Swami was born in the holy city of Vizianagaram on 27 November 1607 and left his body in Varanasi on 26 December 1887.  Many people believed that he was the reincarnation of Shiva.
• Tailanga Swami also sat in penance for 250 years to attain enlightenment and achieve tremendous spiritual knowledge. Several stories and legends suggest that Trailanga Swami was born with Godly powers.
• For example, He could drink toxic substances and still survive, or He could sit on water or He could be at two different places at the same time.
• The great saint Shree Maa is also a huge believer and follower of Tailanga Swami and worships him every day.

A Sacred Journey to Varanasi

• Varanasi is a land of great saints and sadhus, who because of their penance achieved enlightenment. One such saint was Tailanga Swami.
• Over the years, Tailanga Swami acquired a lot of followers all of whom are devoted to this great saint. His shrine is located in the heart of the sacred city of Varanasi and is visited by thousands every day.
• The shrine is the epitome of peace and tranquillity. Swamiji’s Mahasamadhi is also kept inside the temple.

Varanasi

• Varanasi has always been one of my favorite cities in India. There is so much to do and learn about Varanasi, that every time I come here I find something new.
• Tailanga Swami was a hugely popular and revered sadhu. His ashram is thus, visited by a lot of people every day. People from all over the world come here to seek some peace or just a break away from their hectic life.

The Ashram Location in Varanasi

• The Temple or ashram is located at Panch Ganga ghat, which itself is an extremely sacred location. The wonderful ashram is located amid relatively large buildings.
• There is nothing so grand about the looks of the ashram, on the other hand, it is humble and modest. The cacophony of the city having into the background. The walls of the shrine are adorned with lovely portraits of Tailanga Swami, Sarada Devi, Ramakrishna, and Swami Vivekananda.

Samadhi Place & Temple Building

• The uniqueness of this ashram is that this complex is not just a shrine or ashram it is also the place of Trailanga Swami’s Samadhi. In the middle of the temple, there is a beautifully sculpted idol of Tailanga Swami.
• The idol was so lovely. Right below this idol is the Maha Samadhi room. This was also the room wherein Tailanga Swami practiced his meditation.
• The room is relatively small and only three people at a time can go there. When it was finally my turn to go into the room. There is complete silence, and even the smallest noise was blocked away.
• The air was still fresh, which was miraculous since basements usually have damp air. There is a positive energy that flows through the rooms.
• They said that Tailanga Swami after finishing his prayers and looked towards his followers and announced that he would now go into his Mahasamadhi.
• However, his followers began to weep inconsolably and were not in favor of this. Eventually, he told his followers that if they built an idol of his here then he would always be with them. Hence, the idol of Tailanga Swami came into being at this very place.

How to get there

• There are different ways to reach the ashram and chose to come here by boat. Just floating idly on the Holy River fills you with great joy and devotion. There is nothing more pious than silently sailing through Ganga as the city of Varanasi is by your side or you can reach the Ashram by a good amount of walks through the lanes of Varanasi.