Sri Shanmugananda Ashram - Kottaiyur Swamimalai Near - Kumbakonam

Contact Person	-	Sri N. Ramadoss Anna
Address	-	Sri Kodeeswarar South, East Kottaiyur
Place	-	Kumbakonam - 612 002.
Phone	-	+91 435 - 2422655

All acts of kindness are wonderful. We feel good when we give something to others and help and help them reach their full potential in life. Our rewards are the warm feelings that touch our heart. The Ashram was established in 1936. They are running the following institutions:

History: In 1936, Thavathiru Ramadass Anna and Thiru M S Pichaimuthu established Sri Shanmugananda Ashram on the banks of Cauvery River. These golden hearted devotees of Vallalar provided food, a place to stay and quality education to orphan boys in the area so as to bring them up as valuable citizens.

Vallalar Maanavar Illam (Orphanage) Vallalar Baalar School (Kindergarten) Vallalar Primary School Vallalar Higher Secondary School (High & Junior College) Vallalar Computer Centre Vallalar School for the Integrated Education of the Blind Jain Hospital

In 1954 Thirumuruga Kripananda Variar formally opened the orphanage. When they were short of place, Thiru Kodumudi Sengoda Gounder bought and donated the present place in East Kottaiyur on the banks of the Cauvery River. In addition he contributed valuable time and effort as the president of the Ashram.

In 1963, a Primary School was opened to provide basic education to the orphan boys and the neighbourhood poor children. It slowly grew into a Middle School. In 1981, with the blessings of Thavathiru Motaji and generous support of his devotee Thiru Hasmukhlal Gopaldas Mehta the High School was added. In 1980, a Kindergarten school was opened to teach English and Hindi to the neighbourhood children.

In 1993- 94 a School for Blind Children was opened to teach them technical skills and music. In 1994, Thiru L Mangilal Jain bought and donated adjoining land to move the Primary School to a larger place.

Children: Today there are about 100 orphan boys in the Illam. They provide them food, dress, shelter, education, books etc and bring them up as model citizens. There are about 3300 pupils studying in the educational institutions and they are mainly from villages. There are about 35 blind boys. As the school is located in a poor neighbourhood, our services benefit the socially weaker section of the society and act as a catalyst in their development.

Vallalar: "Arutperumjothi! Arutperumjothi!! Thanipperumkarunai! Arutperumjothi!! Yella Uyirkulam Inbutru Vazhga!"

Saint Ramalinga Thiruvarutprakasa Vallalar, popularly known as Vallalar (meaning Philanthropist) preached kindness towards all living things, especially animals. ‘Let all live in happiness’ was his creed.

Though not related to us, there are a number of organisations devoted to Vallalar and his cause, helping humanity wherever they are located. The site www.vallalar.org provides more information about Vallalar.