Sree Dharma Paripalana Yogam

The Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) was founded in 1903 with the guidance and blessings of Sree Narayana Guru. The SNDP is a charitable society working for the spiritual and educational upliftment of the Ezhava community for the past 102 years.It is the social development of Ezhava from (according to the 824 Royal Order) mere ‘owner of thalappu and ladder” to the present state. It is also the shining story of the change of an almost food-gathering society into a cosmopolitan world order. Yogam is the first organisation which envizaged Kerala as a whole.

During the 1890s the caste system in Kerala was very rigid, with untouchability. Dr. Palpu started works towards getting the rights of Ezhava community. With the 1891 Malayali Memorial Revolt, he came forward by taking the leadership of the community. He tried to make an organization called ‘Ezhava Sabha’. In 1896, he created the bye-law of it and published the same in Malayali, a newspaper published from Thankussery. Even though he organised some meetings at Paravur and Mayyanad, that movement failed.

Then,

In 1889, Vavoottu Yogam had been expanded. Thus an organization, ‘Aruvippuram Kshetra Yogam’ had formed. 1898 Formation of Aruvippuram Temple Society: known as Vavoottu Yogam.

On Malayalam Era 1078 Dhanu 23, (1903), a special meeting of Aruvippuram Kshetra Yogam was conducted. They decided to change that into a big Yogam for the progress of Ezhavas both in religious and material ways. Thus, on 1078 Edavam 2, (1903, May 15), with Narayana Guru as its President, ‘Aruvippuram Kshetra Yogam’ has been registered as’Aruvippuram Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam’ according to the Indian Companies Act, No.6, 1882

The main institution under the SNDP is the Sree Bhavaneeswara Temple(Mahakshetram). The deity at the temple Lord Shiva was consecrated by Sree Narayana Guru on 8 March 1916 (24-07-1091 M.E.). After the ceremony, Gurudevan laid the foundation stone for the Lower Primary School under the SNDP.