Sivagiri, Kerala

Sivagiri, Kerala
varkala sivagiri captured by Aju

Sivagiri
Kaithakunnu
Sivagiri
Location in Kerala, India
Coordinates: 8°44′20″N 76°43′55″E / 8.739°N 76.732°E / 8.739; 76.732
Country India
StateKerala
DistrictThiruvananthapuram
Government
  TypeMunicipality
  BodyVarkala Municipality
Languages
  OfficialMalayalam, English
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
695141
Telephone code0470
Vehicle registrationKL-81
Nearest cityVarkala
Literacy100%
Lok Sabha constituencyAttingal
Civic agencyVarkala municipality

Sivagiri is an area in Varkala Municipality of Thiruvananthapuram district in Kerala. It is a pilgrimage centre of Varkala Town where the tomb, or samadhi, of Sree Narayana Guru is situated. It is a place where Guru built the Sarada Temple dedicated to Sarada Devi. The tomb is an attraction for thousands of devotees every year, especially during the Sivagiri Pilgrimage days (Sivagiri Theerthadanam) from 30 December to 1 January.

The Sivagiri Matha, built in 1904, is atop the Sivagiri hill in Varkala Town. This is also the headquarters of the Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham, an organisation of his disciples and saints, established by the Guru to propagate his concept of "One Caste, One Religion, One God". The Guru Deva Jayanti, the birthday of the Guru, and the samadhi day are celebrated in August and September respectively every year. Colourful processions, debates and seminars, public meetings, cultural shows, community feasts, group wedding and rituals mark the celebrations.