In the 1700s, the town of Kaiwara became the blessed site of the birth of Sri Yogi Naraeyana Yathindra. It is in his honour that the Sri Yogi Naraeyana Mutt was built.
Sri Naraeyana – or Thataiya as he is fondly referred to – worked as a bangle seller for several years before renouncing the material world and beginning his quest for enlightenment.
After nine months of rigorous meditation, he achieved siddhi and dedicated his life to making it accessible to the common man.
Through his teachings, Thataiya promoted spirituality and cautioned against the evils of blind superstition and meaningless rituals.
He also severely condemned discrimination on the basis of caste and religion.
The timeless wisdom of Thataiya’s teachings, his down-to-earth manner, his relentless fight for the upliftment of the common man, his dispensation of timely advice and help, and his insightful Vedantic writing drew thousands of loyal devotees from across the country. These faithful bhaktas came from far and wide to seek his blessings and gain enlightenment in his divine presence.
Over the 110 years of his blessed existence, Thataiya played the crucial role of spiritual leader and social reformer.
The town of Kaiwara transformed under the quiet guidance of Thataiya. He nudged the town’s residents onto the right path, dispelling the darkness of ignorance from their lives and filling it with the exuberant light of knowledge.
Moved by the unquestionable truth of his teachings, and wishing to express their gratitude for all he had bestowed on them, the residents of Kaiwara built a small hut made of leaves and grass (called parnakuti) for Thataiya. They requested the learned sage to move into it and continue to guide Kaiwara’s residents in their quest for moksha.
This humble parnakuti evolved to the magnificent and awe-inspiring ashram that is today called the Sri Yogi Naraeyana Mutt.
Devout followers throng the temple not only to seek divine blessings, but also a sense of calm and tranquillity in the premises.
The Mutt also houses the final resting place, or samadhi of Thataiya. Located in the inner sanctum of the temple, the place marks the spot where the accomplished sage chose – of his own volition – to leave the mortal world through jeeva samadhi.
The Mutt has made several provisions to ensure that the needs of the thousands of devotees who visit the temple every year, are met. Nutritious meals are offered to all, free of charge, in the Mutt’s large dining hall. Additionally, out-of-station visitors can choose to stay in any of the Mutt’s 250 guest rooms.
Throughout the day, the temple echoes with the sounds of Thataiya’s keerthanas and other devotional songs being sung by bhajan singers in the Mutt premises.
The Mutt offers visitors the chance to buy bangles in the premises, in memory of Thataiya’s own time as a bangle-seller.
A large auditorium, five wedding halls as well as the administrative offices of the Mutt are also located in the premises.