Thiruvarutprakasa Vallalār Chidambaram Ramalingam, commonly known as Vallalār or Ramalinga Swamigal, was a renowned Tamil saint and poet of the 19th century. He belonged to the lineage of "gnana siddhars" and propagated the Samarasa Suddha Sanmarga Sathiya Sangam, which aimed to eradicate the caste system. Ramalingam emphasized love, charity, and divine practice as essential aspects of human life, leading to the attainment of pure knowledge.

He advocated the worship of the flame of a lighted lamp as a symbol of the eternal power. Ramalingam had divine experiences from a young age, including a profound spiritual encounter while witnessing the adoration of a lamp in the Chidambaram Natarājar Temple. He renounced worldly life at the age of thirteen but was compelled to marry his niece. Legends suggest that he displayed indifference towards material possessions, reduced his eating and sleeping, and underwent a physical transformation.

Ramalingam's spiritual journey progressed from being a devout devotee of Lord Shiva to embracing the worship of the formless. He is revered for his teachings and contributions to Tamil literature and spirituality.

Here are the key teachings and contributions of Vallalār, Ramalinga Swamigal:

Elimination of caste system: Vallalār was strongly against the caste system and worked towards its eradication. He established the "Samarasa Suddha Sanmarga Sathya Sangam" with the aim of promoting equality and universal self-hood.

Emphasis on love, compassion, and non-violence: Vallalār taught the importance of compassion and non-violence through the teachings of Tirukkural. He emphasized non-killing and a meatless way of life, promoting the concept of Jeeva Karunyam (compassion for all living beings).

Free food and equality: Vallalār established the Sathya Dharma Salai, a facility in Vadalur that provided free food to all people without any discrimination based on caste. He believed in serving humanity and advocated against eating non-vegetarian food.

Sathya Gnana Sabha: In Vadalur, Vallalār opened the Sathya Gnana Sabha, a Hall of True Knowledge. He emphasized that service to living beings is the path to liberation (Moksha) and declared that religion itself is a form of darkness. The hall was open to people of all castes except those who consumed meat.

Rejection of rituals and superstitions: Vallalār opposed superstitions and rituals and promoted a rational and spiritual approach to life. He emphasized the importance of inner transformation and self-realization.

Concept of Arul Perum Jothi: Vallalār believed in the concept of Arul Perum Jothi, which represents the divine grace and knowledge. He emphasized that the path to God lies in compassion and mercy.

Spiritual practices and teachings: Vallalār provided instructions on various spiritual practices, including poojas and meditation. He described the veils that blind the soul and advocated for the realization of one's true nature.

Influence on Chennai Kandha Kottam: Vallalār spent significant time at the Kandha Kottam Kandaswāmi Temple in Chennai. He composed the work "Deiva mani malai" there. The locality where he lived has been renamed "Vallalār Nagar" in his honor.

Vallalār's teachings continue to be followed by spiritual groups worldwide, emphasizing love, compassion, equality, and the pursuit of inner knowledge.