Sivagiri is a pilgrimage centre in Varkala municipality of Thiruvananthapuram where the tomb of the social reformer Narayana Guru is. The town is also the place where the Guru believed himself to have become enlightened. His tomb attracts thousands of devotees every year during the Sivagiri Pilgrimage days, from 30 December to 1 January. It is one of the popular pilgrim destinations in Kerala which captivates pilgrims from India and abroad. It is located on an elevated plateau and is enclosed by greenery.
The Sivagiri Mutt, built in 1904 A.D., is situated at the top of the Sivagiri hill near Varkala of Thiruvananthapuram. This is also the headquarters of the “Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham”, an organisation of his disciples and saints, established by the Guru to propagate his concept of “One Caste, One Religion, One God”. The Guru Deva Jayanti, the birthday of the Guru, and the samadhi day are celebrated in August and September respectively every year. These days thousands of pilgrims in yellow attire from different parts of Kerala gather at the Samadhi of the Guru. Colourful processions, debates and seminars, public meetings, cultural shows, community feasts, group wedding and rituals mark the celebrations.
It is said that SreeNarayana Guru himself fell in love with the overall ambience at Varkala and decided to build a hermitage atop the Sivagri hill. This is where the pilgrim centre we see today lies, and it also has the Samadhi of the Guru. The Guru set up an elementary school here, inviting people across caste lines. He built a new temple at the site and dedicated it to the “Goddess of Knowledge”, Saraswathi. Thus, the Saradha (Saraswathi) Temple here came into being in 1912 A.D.
Sivagiri Mutt is sprawled over an area of 200 acres and you will be attracted by the unique multi-tiered white terraces of the mutt while getting inside. It is believed that Sree Narayan Guru, the social reformer, breathed his last here in 1928. It was the residence of Sree Narayana Guru during his life and after his death the place holds his Samadhi and displays his personal belongings.
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sivagiri,_Kerala
https://www.keralatourism.org/varkala/sivagiri-mutt.php
https://www.tourmyindia.com/states/kerala/sivagiri-mutt-varkala.html