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The
'Sivagiri Mutt' is a 'Ashram' founded by the great Hindu reformer and
philosopher, Sree Naravana Guru.
Even decades after the Guru breathed his last here in 1928 AD, his
'Samadhi' (restling place) continues to be thronged by thousands every
year. The 'Sivagiri Pilgrimage' is conducted between December 30 and
January 1.
The Mutt is also the headquarter of the 'Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham', a
religious organisation established by the Guru to propagate his concept of
'One Caste, One Religion, One God'. The Sarada Temple and Sivagiri Mutt
set in picturesque hill of Sivagiri near Varkala have now become a place
of pilgrimage with great fanfare.
Colourful processions, debates and seminars, public meetings, cultural
shows, community feasts, group wedding, rituals all mark the celebrations
in Sivagiri hills.
Sree Narayana Guru was one of the greatest social reformers of India and
a contemporary of Mahatma Gandhi. His call for equality among people found
a great following.
His teachings have had a profound effect on the caste-ridden society of
Kerala and helped the state achieve great social progress when compared to
the other states of India. Founded many ashrams, the most important being
at Sivagiri near Kollam.