Community Services
The Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashramam runs several charitable trusts that are involved in community services in different ways.
Some of the broad community service activities of the Ashramam are:
1. Renovation and grants to ancient temples
The Srimad Andavan Ashramam regularly contributes to festivals and utsavams at divya-desam temples such as the annual brahmotsavam at the Oppiliappan temple in Kumbakonam, the Sarangapani temple in Kumbakonam, the Adi Jagannatha Perumal temple in Thirupullani and several others.
The Ashramam supported the renovation of the ancient Kurugai Kaval Appan temple near Jeyamkondan.
It built a shrine for Srimad Gopalarya Mahadesikan at his birthplace in Rayampettai.
The Ashramam regularly offers gifts of gold, silver, jewellery, silver utensils and silk vastrams to the deities of many divya-desam temples: for instance a silver covered simhasanam was offered to Thooppul Vedanta Desikan in 2001.
Recently, the Ashramam gifted a svarna-thiruvadi (golden armour for the Lord’s lotus feet) to the main deity – the mulavar – of Lord Varadaraja Perumal, and a svarna-pitambaram (a golden garment) to the festival deity – the utsavar – of Dipaprakashar Perumal at Kanchipuram on 28th September 2019. The gifts weighed over 31 kilogrammes in gold, donated by many shishyas and abhimanis from around the world.
2. Annadanam or free food for pilgrims and vaidikas
Daily thadiyaradhanais or free meals are offered to pilgrims and vaidikas in the Ashramam premises in Tirupati, Srirangam and Thiruvahindrapuram, while Kanchipuram serves the community by providing a free feast every Dvadashi day for breaking the Ekadashi fast.
3. Goshalas
The Ashramam maintains and protects over 200 cows in Srirangam, Tiruchanoor and Mumbai. Protecting and providing for cows is considered to be a very sacred duty, and therefore is an activity of great importance to the Ashramam.
4. Support to poor families for conducting Vedic ceremonies
The Ashramam provides free thirumangalyam pendants in gold to brides from poor families to support the institution of matrimony.
It also conducts a community upanayanam ceremony every year for 35 brahmin boys from poor families in the Tamil month of Masi.
The Ashramam also runs and maintains community marriage halls in places such as Chennai, Thiruvinnagar etc.
Charitable Trusts run by the Andavan Ashramam
The community activities of the Andavan Ashramam are overseen by the following charitable trusts:
- Srimad Andavan Ashramam
- Ranganatha Paduka Magazine
- Publication of sampradayam books
- Sri Paduka Charities, No.33,Desikachari Road, Mylapore Chennai 600004
- Maintaining of marriage hall in Chennai
- Veda Patasala in Thiruvahindrapuram
- Annual Samashti Upanayanam for poor families who cannot afford the cost of the ceremony
- Sri Ranganatha Paduka Vidyalaya Trust, No.7, Nelson road, Tiruvanaikkaval,Trichy 620005
- Administers the Veda Patasalas of the Ashramam at Srirangam, Tiruchanur and Vaduvoor
- Runs the Srimad Andavan Arts & Science College
- Srimad Andavan Trust, No.33, Desikachari Road, Mylapore,Chennai 600004
- Support marriage expenses of poor families by giving the bride a thirumangalyam pendant in gold
- Sri Srimath Bhagavad Bhashyakara Thathiyaradanai Trust, Ring Road, Tirumala 517504
- Organise Perumal and Paduka aradhanam everyday
- Annadanam (free meals) called thadhiyaradhanai to sevarthis, volunteers and visitors
- Organise veda-parayanam and divya-prabandha-parayanam at large festivals such as Brahmotsavams.
Donations are usually covered for exemption under section 80G of the Income Tax Act, but donors are advised to check about each individual case before donating, as it may not apply in some cases.