About Sivagiri
Varkala 50 KMS North of Trivandrum, which was popularly known as ‘Dhakshina Kasi’ is a famous holy place from Centuries ago. Sree Narayana Guru was attracted to this place not only because of its natural beauty and serene surroundings, but was also due to its geographical nature of hill tops and valleys. During the year 1903 Guru used to come to Varkala regularly and rest here in search of Truth. In the beginning he sat near a jack tree. Later Guru made a temporary ‘Parnasala’ and stayed there. On its south side, there was a no mans land hill, Guru managed to get it registered in his name and established his Asramom on the top of the hill and reside there. The place became known as Sivagiri from then onwards.
Sivagiri today has become one of the most sacred centres of pilgrimage for the people from all walks of life irrespective of caste, creed, religion or language. Gandhiji came here thrice - while Swamiji was alive, Gandhiji came to Sivagiri on 12-3-1925 and stayed a day in the Asramom, and twice after Swamiji’s Samadhi. Acharya Vinobabhave visited Sivagiri in 1925 and he proclaimed later that the Guru is an ‘Avathar’. Varkala 50 KMS North of Trivandrum, which was popularly known as ‘Dhakshina Kasi’ is a famous holy place from Centuries ago. Sree Narayana Guru was attracted to this place not only because of its natural beauty and serene surroundings, but was also due to its geographical nature of hill tops and valleys. During the year 1903 Guru used to come to Varkala regularly and rest here in search of Truth. In the beginning he sat near a jack tree. Later Guru made a temporary ‘Parnasala’ and stayed there. On its south side, there was a no mans land hill, Guru managed to get it registered in his name and established his Asramom on the top of the hill and reside there. The place became known as Sivagiri from then onwards. Varkala 50 KMS North of Trivandrum, which was popularly known as ‘Dhakshina Kasi’ is a famous holy place from Centuries ago. Sree Narayana Guru was attracted to this place not only because of its natural beauty and serene surroundings, but was also due to its geographical nature of hill tops and valleys. During the year 1903 Guru used to come to Varkala regularly and rest here in search of Truth. In the beginning he sat near a jack tree. Later Guru made a temporary ‘Parnasala’ and stayed there. On its south side, there was a no mans land hill, Guru managed to get it registered in his name and established his Asramom on the top of the hill and reside there. The place became known as Sivagiri from then onwards.
The Pilgrimage
History of Pilgrimage
At the beginning of 1928 while the Sree Narayana Guru was camping at Nagampadam temple at Kottayam, a couple of his ardent disciples - Vallabhasseri Govindan Vaidyan and Kittan writer - hesitantly mooted the idea of “ Pligrimage to Sivagiri”. Swamiji enquired them about the object of the pilgrimage but they couldn’t reply. Hence the Guru himself explained that the aim of Theerthadana (pilgrimage) must be for the creation of a comprehensive knowledge among the people for their overall development and prosperity and suggested certain norms to be observed. The pilgrims should reach Sivagiri in yellow garb as the symbol of devotees, after following a brief ten day austerity based on Sree Budha’s five purities of Body, Word, Mind, Food and Deed. Guru underlined the need for education, cultural and moral purity for the yearly meet. January 1, the new year day was suggested for the Pilgrimage and it should be so planned to focus attention on eight subjects - Education, Cleanliness, Piety, Organised Endeavour, Agriculture, Trade , Handicrafts and Technical Training. Experts on these subjects should be invited to lecture on them and the pilgrims should listen attentively. What they have heard should be practised in the day to day life which will lead them to prosperity. The Guru concluded that this should be the main goal of the pilgrimage to Sivagiri.
Overview
Maha Samadhi Mandapam
The most prominent Mandir under the Mutt where the eternal mortal remains of Jagath Guru Sree Narayana Gurudev was cremated after his trance. The Mandir is 73 feet height and situated in the Hill Top of Sivagiri is the Central worship place of the pilgrims from all over the world. The tomb shaped Mandir is the main attraction of Sivagiri Mutt and precious to the devotees of Sree Narayana Guru Dev.
Sarada Mutt
The Jagath Guru Sree Narayana Guru concecrated Goddess “Sree Sarada” (the Goddess of Knowledge) in this Mutt in 1912. Now 100 years have elapsed after the concecration. All pilgrims who came to Maha Samadhi will come here also to shower their worship. It is the only one consecration of “Sree Sarada” made in South India. Annual Festival of Sarada Mutt is celebrated every year during the month of April. It is from here Guru guided and led till the end of the Socio-religious rehabilitation movement.
Vaidika Mutt
Sree Narayana Gurudev was lived in this building which is more than 100 years old, now termed as a heritage building. All the articles used by Guru such as Stick, Chair, Cot, etc., are stored here. All devotees who came Sivagiri will visit the Vaidika Mutt as well. Mahadhma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Rabindra Nath Tagore, Vinoba Bhave, Dr. Ambedkar, C. Rajagopalachari had held discussions and conversations at this Mutt during their visit to Sivagiri. It should be protected as a heritage building.
