Sri Sarguru Appa Paithiyam Swamigal was born in a Zamin family of Karuvoor Fort in the Tamil month Chitirai, 28th, 1859. In his 16th year, he left his home and went to Palani. While he was roaming around the hills of Palani, he met his Gnana Guru, Sri Alukku Swamigal at Palani. He asked his devotees to call him as Paithiyam (Mad). As a Father (Appa) Swami solved the problems of his devotees. So, he was called as Sri Sarguru Appa Paithiyam Swamigal.
After Alukku Swamigal attained Samadhi at Pollachi, Sri Sarguru Appa Paithiyam Swamigal moved to several places like Tiruvannamalai, Tindivanam, Cuddalore, Pondicherry and finally to Salem where he attained Samadhi in the Tamil month Thai, 28th 2000 when he was 141 years old.
