Our Story
About Ramanalayam
History
From a quiet sitting to an Ashram.
Ramanalayam began in 1958 as a small shrine in the home of a devotee of Sri Ramana Maharshi. Through the efforts of devotees in Jaffna and the gracious guidance of the Ramana Ashram at Tiruvannamalai, it grew into a modest monastery — a place of silence, study, and service.
Purpose
To keep the lamp lit.
Our sole purpose is to keep alive the teaching of Self-enquiry as given by Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, and to make it freely accessible to all who seek it — regardless of background, language, or means.
Mission
To offer the direct path.
To maintain a quiet place of Self-enquiry, daily pooja, and meditation; to translate and freely distribute the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi in Tamil, English, and Sinhala; and to serve pilgrims and seekers with humility and without commercial motive.
Vision
A world that remembers itself.
We imagine — quietly — a world in which the question “Who am I?” is known to every heart, in which silence is honoured, and in which service is given without expectation of return. We do not seek to be large; we seek to be true.
Timeline
Milestones of the Ashram.
1879
Birth of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi in Tirucchi, Tamil Nadu.
1896
Bhagavan's Self-realisation at Arunachala; the beginning of his silence.
1950
Mahasamadhi of Sri Ramana Maharshi.
1958
Foundation of Ramanalayam in Jaffna, in a modest house on Ramanar Road.
1968
Inauguration of the present main shrine, built with offerings from devotees.
1981
Opening of the Ashram Library, with texts in Tamil, Sanskrit, English and Sinhala.
1996
Beginning of the free Annadanam programme — daily meals for all visitors.
2010
Launch of the online sangha, with audio and video freely shared.
2020
Online retreats begin during the pandemic, reaching seekers in 60+ countries.
2026
Multilingual website re-launched — Tamil, English and Sinhala.
Values
What we hold quietly.
Silence
We honour silence as the highest teaching. Speech, when it occurs, is offered with care.
Simplicity
The Ashram lives simply. We do not seek to grow large, but to be true.
Service
Service is a form of worship. Every task, however small, is offered to the Self.
Openness
All who come in sincerity are welcome. There are no barriers of caste, language or nation.
Non-commercial
All teachings are offered freely. The Ashram is supported entirely by donations.
Devotion
The path is lived with devotion — surrender, love, and steady remembrance.
Trust & Management
Those who serve the Ashram.
Swami Nirgunananda
Resident Swami
Long-time devotee of Sri Ramana Maharshi, guiding the daily spiritual life of the Ashram.
Dr. V. Ramachandran
Chairman, Trust Board
Retired professor of philosophy; author of two commentaries on the teachings.
Smt. Lakshmi Subramaniam
Treasurer
Oversees the Ashram's accounts with care and full transparency.
Sri. K. Sivalingam
Trustee
Temple architect; led the restoration of the main shrine in 2014.
Smt. Nirmala Senanayake
Trustee
Heads the Annadanam programme; coordinates the volunteer kitchen.
Sri. M. Thiruchelvam
Trustee
Leads the children's classes and the Ashram's outreach to schools.