Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashramam - Background
Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashramam is a Sri Vaishnava organization that belongs to the Munithreya sampradayam and traces itself back to many centuries. Sri Vaishnavism essentially means followers of Lord Vishnu (one of the triumvirate of Indian Gods, viz. Brahma,Vishnu and Shiva). The central tenet of its teachings is the concept os Saranagati i.e. total surrender to God and His representation on earth, the Guru. Munitreyam simply means Three Munis. The first Munitreyam, by ancient legend and common belief were the first Azhwars, namely Sri Poigai Azhwar, Sri Bhoodath Azhwar and Sri Pey Azhwar. These three Azhwars lived around 2500 B.C. Between then and the 8th century A.D. SriVaishnavaite philosophy came under attack from other cultures and philosophies, and its revival had to wait for the arrival of the second Munitreyam.

The second Munitreyam was Srimad Natha Muni (8th century A.D.), Srimad Yamuna Muni (10th century A.D.) and Srimad Ramanuja Muni (1017-1137 A.D.). In particular, Srimad Ramanuja Muni re-established the Vishistadvaita philosophy very strongly. He became a sanyasin at the age of 18 and observed over 100 Chaatur Masyas. During his era of over 100 years as a sanyasi and spiritual leader, he ordained 74 Simhasanapathis, great scholars and Acharyas in their own right to spread the philosophy through all corners of India and to ensure that the basic tenets of the philosophy including Saranagathi were propagated to future generations. Since the time of Sri Ramanuja Muni up until the 18th century, there were 21 Acharyas, and Srimad Andavan Ashramam was founded by the 22nd Acharya, Sri Tirukudanthai Desikan. The complete lineage (referred to as Sri Bhasya parampara) is as follows Sri Tirukkudanthai Desikan was a scholar of peerless repute and three of his disciples, Sri Srirangam Swami, Sri Vathirairuppu Swami and Sri Cheyyar Swami are referred to as the third Munitreyam. Sri Srirangam Swami later on moved to Vazhuthur and came to be known as Srimad Vazhuthur Andavan Swami, and was the first Peetathipathi of Srirangam Srimad Andavan Ashram in the 18th century.

Since the time of Sri Vazhuthur Andavan, there have been 11 Acharyas, with the present (12th) Peetathipathi being Sri Varaha Mahadesikan. The Ashramam lineage is as follows: The Ashramam head quarters are on the banks of river Kollidam (parallel to Cauvery) in Srirangam, Tamilnadu. In addition to the main Ashramam, several other branches have also been established in many places. The Ashramam for all practical purposes functions as a Mutt and conducts daily poojas, rituals and other activities in conformity with the protocol established by Sri Ramanuja Muni. The Ashramam has also contributed to renovation of old temples, building of new temples, establishment of Sanksrit Patasalas where the Vedas/Sastras/Prabandas/Agamas are taught thus ensuring that the knowledge is not lost to future generations.

In addition to religious activities, the Ashramam also runs an Arts and Sciences college in Srirangam that caters to impoverished youth and imparts career-based education to these students from rural/semi-urban areas. The Ashramam is also in the process of expanding these activities to include a college of nursing, pharmacy, management, herbal reserch center and hospitals.