Saranagati.online

On 1st September 2026, Saranagati e-magazine begins its 20th year of publication. Marking this event, among other things, the publication will be launching a website in response to requests to make Saranagati articles and content more accessible. The site will include a complete pdf archive of Saranagati issues published thus far for free downloading. —

Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi     

Sri Ramana Maharshi (Venkataraman Iyer) was born on 28th December 1879 in Tiruchuzhi, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, to Sundaram Iyer and Azhagammal. Following his father’s death in 1892, he moved to Madurai, where in July 1896, at the age of sixteen, he underwent a transformative death-experience that resulted in permanent Self-awareness. On 29th August 1896 he left home for Tiruvannamalai, arriving on 1st September 1896 and entering the Arunachaleswara Temple.

He resided successively in the temple precincts (1896-1897), Gurumurtham (1897-1898) Virupaksha Cave (1899–1916), and Skandasramam (1916–1922). After the death of his mother in May 1922, he moved in December 1922 to her samadhi at the foot of Arunachala, where Sri Ramanasramam subsequently grew up around him.

From 1927 until 1949 he remained in the Old Hall receiving visitors; he moved to the New Hall in March 1949. Afflicted with sarcoma in 1949, he attained Mahanirvana at 8:47 p.m. on 14 April 1950. Contemporary accounts record the appearance of a luminous meteor traversing Arunachala at the time of his passing.

His teaching, centered on ātma-vichāra (“Who am I?”), was conveyed primarily through silence, dialogue, and devotional hymns such as Aksharamanamalai and Upadesa Saram.

Sri Ramanasramam

When Sri Bhagavan moved to His Mother’s samadhi in December 1922, the Ashram gradually grew around Him. As the number of devotees increased, a more organized system became necessary. Bhagavan’s younger brother, Nagasundaram—who had taken sannyasa and was known as Niranjanananda Swami—assumed responsibility as Sarvadhikari, overseeing all administrative affairs.

After Bhagavan’s mahanirvana in 1950, a managing committee was formed, with Niranjanananda Swami as its permanent president. Its purpose was to maintain the Ashram, ensure regular worship at both Bhagavan’s and Mother’s samadhis, and preserve Tiruvannamalai as a living spiritual centre.

Following Niranjanananda Swami’s samadhi in 1953, his son T. N. Venkataraman took charge as head of the Trust. In 1994, leadership passed to his eldest son, V. Sundara Ramanan, who continued as president. His brothers, V. Ganesh (a sannyasi) and V. Mani, also devoted themselves to Ashram service.