Gurumandiram, Pangappara

Pangappara is at a distance of 12 km. north of Thiruvananthapuram by the side of National Highway-47 and 500 m. southeast of Karyavattam University campus. It is the mid-point between Chembazhanthi (the birth place of Sree Narayana Gurudevan) and Kolattukara (the site where the first Siva idol was installed). The Mandiram is established to spread the messages of Sree Narayana Gurudevan who was a renowned Rshi, poet and a religious reformer.

In 1888 A.D. on his way from Chembazhanthi to Kolattukara there Gurudevan met Sri S.Kunjuraman of Mottalummood house at Pangappara. Later Sri Kunjuraman became an ardent devotee of him and later became his disciple with the name Swami Aadarsanananda and engaged in propagating the great ideals of his Guru. In 1971 he built a small Gurumandiram in his own property, located on the side of NH-47, with the liberal contribution of local devotees of the Guru. Vaidyakalanidhi Mavelikkara Sree Kunjuraman was gracious enough to donate an idol of Gurudevan made in cement concrete. The Mandiram was formally inaugurated by Sree R. Sankar, former Chief Minister of Kerala on 8th February 1971.

Later the ownership of the Mandiram was vested with Sri K. Purushothaman, eldest son of Swami Aadarsanananda. At the request of ardent devotees Sri Purushothaman entrusted the administration of the Mandiram to a temporary committee, which included Sri V.K Surendran (President) and B. Rajendran (Secretary). When the National Highway was realigned in 1984 it became imperative to shift the Gurumandiram to the present site. Late Sri Narayana Pillai of Putumangalath veedu commenced the construction of the new Mandiram. The consecration rites were performed by Brahmasree Pavithrananda Swamikal on 30th November 1984. The Mandiram was formally inaugurated on that day by Sri Vakkam Purushothaman, former Speaker of Kerala Legislature, while Smt. Madhavi Sukumaran lighted the Bhadradeepam. As per the Kerala Charitable Society Act a new Samiti (by name Pangappara Gurumandira Samiti) bearing No. 516/84 was constituted and the administration of the Mandiram was taken over by this Samiti. The term of the Samiti is two calendar years.

The new Samiti took earnest efforts to develop the Mandiram and propagate the ideals of Gurudevan. The contributions of the first Pravarthaka Samiti consisting of Sri S. Chellappan (President), Sri P. Sivan Nair (Vice-President), Sri K. Devendran (General Secretary), Sri Prahladan (Treasurer) and other members deserve special mention as they laid the foundation of all future developmental schemes and projects. The Samiti herby records the contributions of all members of the Committees which geared the affairs of Gurumandiram and allied activities for the past 24 years.

Following the saying of Gurudevan, ‘Get enlightenment by education’ a Reading room hall, called ‘Dr.C.K. Gopi reading room hall’ was started by laying the foundation stone by Smt. Sumangala Amma, Chaitanya, Pangappara and inauguration of construction work by Sri Gangadharan Pillai of Mutivilakath house. His Excellency the Governor of Kerala Sri P. Ramachandran inaugurated the Administrative building and the Reading Room on 30th August 1986 for the use of the public.

On 31st August 2001 Sri Vellappilli Natesan, General Secretary, S.N.D.P. Yogam opened the hall built by Sri K. Jayadevan, Vinayaka, Pangappara for the use of Computer education.

The latest addition is the construction of a mukha-mandapam to suit the Mandiram complex was built and donated by Sri B. Sivdasan , Chittattu veedu, Pangappara.

As the idol of Gurudevan has been damaged, it was decided to replace it with a panchaloha idol designed by Sri Prateep Sasi of Paravoor and cast by Sri Mannar Netiyizhath Rajan. Sremad Sookshmananda Swamikal has consecrated this new idol on 4th September 2008.

The Samiti also executes various routine and special activities as noted below:

Routine activities

Special activities

Sree Narayana Dance School

Started in 2007 A.D. it has facilities for 25 students.

Gurusaanthvana scheme

The scheme which helps the poor and destitute persons, both financially and in kind and by social service has acclaimed as one of the important schemes introduced by the Samiti.

Annadanam is arranged on all days in a year at the Gurumandiram as per the request of a person who wish to observe remembrance days of his parents or relatives.

Settling of disputes

All disputes between members are settled at their request amicably by dialogues and persuasions.

Organizing awareness camps on diseases and extending medical help is another activity.

About Guru Mandiram

Routine activities

Special activities