Vallalar opens the Sathya Gnana Sabhai at Vadalur

25 Jan 1872 to 30 Jan 1874 · Vadalur

At Vadalur, Ramalinga Swamigal (Vallalar) opened the Sathya Gnana Sabhai, which taught compassion for every living being regardless of caste.

Known as Vallalar, Ramalinga Swamigal taught Jeevakarunyam, a creed of compassion, non-violence and vegetarianism, and refused to recognise caste divisions. In 1865 he established the Samarasa Vedha Sanmarga Sangam, and in 1867 he opened the Sathya Dharma Salai at Vadalur, where the poor were fed free of charge. On 25 January 1872 he followed these with the Sathya Gnana Sabhai (Hall of True Knowledge), also in Vadalur. He shut himself inside a room on 30 January 1874 and was never seen afterwards. Later currents of Tamil social and religious reform drew on his ideas.

Related events

1823

5 Oct 1823ChidambaramReligion
Birth of Ramalinga Swamigal (Vallalar)
Ramalinga Swamigal, the Tamil saint-poet known as Vallalar, was born at Marudur near Chidambaram.

1833

1833 to 1851SwamithoppeReligion
Ayya Vaikundar begins his mission
Ayya Vaikundar began the teachings that gave rise to Ayyavazhi, a movement that challenged caste rules in southern Travancore.

1851

2 Jun 1851SwamithopeReligion
Ayya Vaikundar's mission ends
Ayyavazhi tradition records that Ayya Vaikundar's earthly mission ended on 2 June 1851.

1865

1865VadalurReligion
Vallalar starts the Samarasa Vedha Sanmarga Sangam
Vallalar, or Ramalinga Swamigal, formed a fellowship of devotees against caste distinctions, which was later renamed the Samarasa Suddha Sanmarga Sathya Sangam.

1867

1867VadalurSocial Reform
Vallalar opens the Sathya Dharma Salai at Vadalur
At Vadalur, Ramalinga Swamigal opened a free kitchen for the needy of every caste and lit a stove that was never to be put out.

1874

30 Jan 1874VadalurReligion
Disappearance of Vallalar
Ramalinga Swamigal shut himself in a room and told followers not to open it; when officials broke in that May, nobody was inside.