Home

siddhars

Siddhars are a group of mystics and healers in the Tamil tradition who are said to have attained spiritual and physical perfection, known as siddhis. The term siddha signifies one who has achieved mastery of ultimate truth. The Siddhar tradition is rooted in Tamil Nadu and, in some accounts, in Sri Lanka; the historical origins are obscure, with many figures and works dating from late antiquity through the medieval period. The Siddha corpus is associated with Siddha medicine, a traditional system combining herbal pharmacology, mineral and metal preparations, and alchemical techniques with yoga and moral discipline.

Practices and beliefs: Siddhars pursued knowledge through yoga, breath control, meditation, and alchemical experimentation. Their medical

Literature and influence: The Siddha literature comprises numerous Tamil works on medicine, yoga, and ethics, often

Legacy and modern context: Siddha medicine continues to be practiced in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, with

and
philosophical
writings
advocate
a
disciplined
lifestyle,
vegetarianism
in
some
cases,
and
the
purification
of
substances
used
in
therapy.
The
tradition
emphasizes
the
attainment
of
siddhis,
or
extraordinary
powers,
and
the
elongation
of
life,
though
the
practical
focus
is
healing
and
self-realization.
attributed
to
legendary
saints.
The
dating
and
authorship
are
uncertain,
and
the
texts
are
poetical
and
aphoristic
in
style.
The
influence
of
Siddha
thought
is
evident
in
traditional
Tamil
medicine,
local
healing
practices,
and
certain
strands
of
yoga
and
alchemy.
practitioners
integrating
traditional
remedies
with
contemporary
healthcare.
It
is
recognized
under
India’s
AYUSH
framework
as
one
of
the
traditional
medical
systems,
and
modern
institutions
study
its
pharmacology
and
therapeutic
approaches.