Sree Narayana Guru | 06 Jan 2025
Recently, the head of the Sivagiri Mutt in Kerala, called for the abolition of the practice requiring men to remove their upper garments before entering temples, terming it an "evil" practice.
- He held that the practice, originally introduced to ensure men wore the "punool" (sacred thread worn by Brahmins), contradicted the social reform principles of Sree Narayana Guru.
Sree Narayana Guru:
- Birth: He was born on 22nd August 1856 in Chempazhanthy in Kerala. He belonged to the Ezhava caste, considered 'avarna' by the social norms of the time.
- Philosophy: He advocated for equality, education, and social upliftment, transcending caste distinctions.
- His core belief was expressed in the slogan "One Caste, One Religion, One God for All".
- He became a major proponent of Advaita Vedanta, the non-dualistic philosophy introduced by Adi Shankara.
- Social Reforms: He founded the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP), a philanthropic society for uplifting marginalized
- Aruvippuram Movement (1888): He installed a Shiva idol at Aravipuram, symbolizing resistance against social injustice, particularly the caste-based restrictions that barred lower castes from temple entry.
- He established Sivagiri Mutt in 1904.
- Literary Contributions: He authored several important works, including Advaitha Deepika, Atmavilasam, Daiva Dasakam, and Brahmavidya Panchakam.
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