Śrī Sathya Chandi Mandali (SSCM) is a spiritual organisation rooted in the profound teachings of Śrī Vidyā – a traditional Vedic and Tantric path dedicated to the worship of the Divine Mother, primarily in the form of Goddess Śrī Lalitā mahātripurasundarī . The Mandali belongs to the illustrious Valangaiman lineage of Śrī Vidyā upasakas, distinguished by an unbroken tradition of Gurus who have preserved the teachings with utmost sanctity. This lineage holds the rare and unique distinction of maintaining a single adiṣṭana (resting place) for three revered preceptors at one sacred site. The adiṣṭana is located in the village of Valangaiman in the Kumbakonam district, from which the lineage draws its name.

Founding and Stewardship

Śrī Sathya Chandi Mandali was founded by Gurumatha Sathyamaba in 2005 in order to be a center for the practice and dissemination of the ancient wisdom of Śrī Vidyā  in its undiluted form as followed by the lineage. Following her, the Mandali was nurtured under the stewardship of Smt. Radha Anantharaman, a devoted disciple of Gurumatha whose life of seva, unwavering faith, and steadfast dedication to rituals safeguarded the living spirit of the tradition.

Sri Avinash Ganesan (Shri Sahajanandhanatha) is the present Guru of this lineage, a role he assumed in 2012 under the direct instructions of his Guru, Gurumatha Sathyamaba. He has since embraced the sacred responsibility of reviving and rejuvenating the Śrī Vidyā tradition across the world, carrying the flame of the lineage forward with profound dedication. Through his teachings, community-building efforts, and spiritual initiatives, the Mandali continues to flourish as a vibrant center for Śrī Vidyā upasana.

Process

As the Śrī Vidyā practices are considered highly potent and secretive in nature, initiation (dīkṣā) into Śrī Vidyā is traditionally given by a Guru after testing the disciple’s earnestness and readiness. Under the guidance of Shri Sahajanandhanatha, the Mandali is continuing its journey of providing correct and proper guidance for such earnest seekers. The practice includes mantra japā, yantra worship (especially the śrī yantra), pārāyaṇas and other elaborate pūjas and rituals. A formal initiation starts with mūlamantra japā  along with mūlamantra nyāsas, lalitha sahasranāma pārāyaṇa and teaching the Saptaśatī pārāyaṇaa Krama. Based on the earnestness of the sishya, this is usually followed by Caturāvṛtti Tarpaņam, other Vishesha devathā tarpanams, mantra purascaraṇa, Guru Dhyanam and Śrī Vidyā nitya anuṣṭanas like ajapā samarpaṇa & raśmimālā parāyaṇa . As one advances in the path, Navāvarana Pūja, śakthopaniśad pārāyaṇa, bhūtha śuddī, advanced nyāsas like laghu & mahāśodanyasā and shad pārāyaṇas(nātha, gāṭikā, tatva,nityā, mantra & nāma)are introduced.

When the Guru feels that the śiṣyā is qualified to be relieved from the cycle of birth and death, the Guru gives pūrṇadīkṣā to the shisya as per parasurāma kālapasutra vākyā and bestows the śiṣyā with a dīkṣā nāmā. This is said to nullify the pāpā and puṇyā of the shishya resulting in sripura sāyujyā.

Activities

Śrī Sathya Chandi mandali’s activities include regular satsangs, special pūjas and pārāyaṇas at various auspicious times of the year. The mandali performs the following activities through the year: Śrī Vidyā Navāvarana pūja, navarāthrī pūja including suvasinī , bālā & vatuka pūja and caṇḍī homa to name a few. Online and offline classes are conducted to teach Durgā Saptaśatī , a sacred text containing over 700 verses glorifying goddess Durga.

In addition to these regular activities, an annual Pooja is performed to commemorate Gurumatha Sathyamba