Hebbar Sreevaishnava Sabha
Bhagavadh Ramanujacharya
Iyengar or Ayyangar is a caste given to Hindu Iyengar Brahmins of Tamil origin, who follow the Visishtadvaita philosophy propounded by Ramanuja. They are found mostly in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu but some live in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Iyengar are divided into two different sub-sects and, as with other Hindu communities, they are also classified based on their gotra, or patrilineal descent. The original language of the Iyengar Brahmins is Tamil, but they also speak other languages, notably Telugu and Kannada. The Iyengar community traces their origin in Tamil Nadu from the period of Ramanuja.
Iyengars sport a namam (Thiruman+Srichurnam) as a caste-mark.
Etymology
There are various opinions regarding the etymology of Iyengar.
It is derived from Ayya, a Prakrit version of the Sanskrit word Arya, along with the Telugu honorific plural suffix garu
Robert Lester says that the word “Ayyangaar”,an alternate transliteration, was first used by KandhaadaiRamanujaAyyangaar of Tirupathi around 1450 AD.
By origin
Hebbar
The Hebbars speak a Tamil dialect known as Hebbar Tamil. Once found only in the Karnataka towns of Belur, Shanti Grama, Nuggehalli, Nonavinakere, Bindiganavile and Hiremagalur, Hebbar Iyengars are now found in many parts of India, across Europe, and North America.
Hebbar Iyengars
Hebbar Iyengars were not originally Srivaishnavas and even Sri Ramanujacharya was not a Srivaishnava when he wasborn. He was born to an advaitin! So when Ramanuja preachedVishistadvaita,Srivaishnavism became popular in Tamilnadu and whenSriRamanjua fled from TN and settled in Karnataka for 12 long years itspread to Southern Parts of Karnataka.
The details of Hebbar Srivaishnava origin was published long back in the Hebbar Srivaishnava magazine called “Hebbar Kshema”. Also a historical novel written by Smt. Neeladevi about the life ofRamanuja in Karnataka named “Dhanya” gives similar answers to the origin ofHebbar Srivaishnavas.
During the time when Ramanuja was in Tondanur(Tonnur)near Melukote, agroup of elderly Kannada Brahmins came to Ramanuja and offered to convert toSrivaishnava Religion impressed by Ramanujas philosophy of Vishistadvaita.Ramanuja affectionately called the group of HiriyaHaruva(Elderly BrahminKannadigas) as Hebbar and thus originated the sect called HebbarSivaishnava(Iyengars). So Hebbar Srivaishnavas are originally KannadaBrahmins (Advaitins) who got converted to Srivaishnavas impressed by theteachings of Sri Ramanuja, and not of backward Caste.
Ramanuja asked them to settle in different places of the HoysalaKingdom(Current South Karnataka) and thus one can find many HebbarSrivaishnavas mainly in the southern districts of Karnataka especially,Bangalore, Mysore, Mandya, Tumkur, Hassan, Kolar and Chamarajanagardistricts.
They have their kuladaivams or Haathperumal in different places of thesedistricts. Formore info please visit Karnatka Vaishanava Temples
Since their mother tongue was Kannada they still have the affliction towards Kannada. Gradually they learnt to speak Tamil mainly to learn the DivyaPrabhandams.
But still many Hebbar Srivaishnavas cannot read and write in Tamil. They read theRamanuja’s philosophical works and AlwarsDivyaPrabhandams translated toKannada or English. However, they recite NalayiraDivyaPrabhandams in Temples inKarnataka forming Goshtis. They are called Melnatu Iyengars as they areresiding in the High plateau of Karnataka. Another sect called KeelnatuIyengars are those who migrated to Karnataka from Tamil Nadu, which is lowerthan the Plateau of Karnataka.
History
The Iyengar community traces its philosophical origins to Nathamuni, a Sri Vaishnavaacharya who lived around 900 CE. Nathamuni was influenced by Nammalvar and other alvars (Sri Vaishnava poet-saints of southern India) and he introduced their philosophy into temple worship. Nathamuni’s efforts were formalised into a religious system of lifestyle, practice and worship by Ramanuja who propounded the philosophy of Visishtadvaita.
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2023 The Hebbar Sreevaishnava Sabha’s
Objectives
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Development of Education, Culture and Good Citizenship
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The Hebbar Sreevaishnava Sabha’s
Educational Trust
Now the new building is under construction at the same place
The Hebbar Sreevaishnava Sabha’s
Our Ambitious Project Srimath Polytechnic
To meet the AICTE deadline and address the structural inadequacies, a building committee led by Dr Y N I Anand was formed. The stone-laying ceremony occurred on 23 Sep 2012, with Dr Kamala Raman formally initiating construction on 15 Dec 2012, marked by operating the JCB.
The Hebbar Sreevaishnava Sabha’s
Scholarships
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Children of members are entitled to apply for Scholarship studying in 8th standard until their completion of education without any academic year breaks.
Applicants/Parents/Guardians must be Life members with a valid ID card.
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Children of members are entitled to apply for Merit Scholarship from 10th standard until their completion of education without any academic year breaks if the percentage of marks falls 98% to 100% (Top 5 such applications will be selected by the Scholarship committee)
Applicants/Parents/Guardians must be Life members with a valid ID card.
Contact Sabha Office at 080-48528222 / 8217544776 for more information.
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Any Donors who wish to contribute to the existing Student Scholarship fund
Contact Sabha Office at 080-48528222 / 8217544776 for more information.
Download the Donation Form
The Hebbar Sreevaishnava Sabha’s
Benefits
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Following Hospitals have tied up with The Hebbar Sreevaishnava Sabha and they have agreed to give concession in Medical treatment for Hebbar Sabha members
- A. V. Hospital, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru
- Neelanjana Ayurveda Speciality Clinic, Jayanagar, Bangalore
- Kamakshi Hospital, J.P Nagar, Mysuru
- Mangala Multi Speciality Hospital, K.R.Puram, Hassan
- Dharmastala Manjunatheshwara Hospital, Thanniruhalla, Hassan
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Nominee of the active member can avail the benefit of Death Relief fund on the death of the member to fulfil the expenses of the rituals to be performed.
Procedure to Apply for Death Relief Fund (DRF):
Download the Death Relief Fund Form (English) from here
Fill the application forms.
- Enclose the Original Death certificate.
- Enclose the Original ID Card given by Sabha.
- Submit filled application form to the Concerned Upasabha
Note: If deceased member ID card is not found, attach a letter written by nominee and pay Rs.300/- .
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- Separate rooms perform rituals
- 24 hours water
- Dining room
- Kitchen and vessels
- Parking place
The Hebbar Sreevaishnava Sabha’s
Membership
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Individual Membership of the Sabha is open to all Hebbar Sreevaishnava Iyengars only meaning, those born to the Hebbar Sreevaishnava Iyengar parents (both mother and father should be Hebbar Iyengars).
Membership application shall be forwarded through the respective Upasabhas after scrutiny to the main Sabha for acceptance.
A onetime Individual Membership fee prescribed from time to time (Currently 1000/- Rs) shall be paid by those seeking membership along with the prescribed application form, two passport sized photographs and proof of their residence/photo that includes any one of the following documents: Aadhar Card, Voter ID Card, Ration Card, Passport or Official Bank Passbook from any Nationalised or Scheduled Bank. Acceptance of such applications is subject to scrutiny by the Office Bearers of the Sabha. The President of the Main Sabha reserves the right to demand any of the above documents and his/her decision shall be deemed final including rejection of membership if the document is not furnished. Introduction by a current member as proof of the person seeking membership being a Hebbar Iyengar is mandatory. In case of any false certification, the membership will be terminated summarily and the introducer shall be liable for disciplinary action by the Sabha.
Currently there are many Joint Life Members, who do not fulfill the definition of Hebbar Iyengar mentioned at (1) above. In such instances, both the spouses shall apply for individual membership without paying any additional fees and by furnishing two passport sized photographs and any one of the documents mentioned at (4) above. They shall be deemed to be Ordinary Life Members with all the benefits except that they will not be eligible to contest any elections nor shall they be nominated for any post either at Upasabhas or at the Main Sabha.