The Hebbar Srivaishnava Sabha is a Community Organization created in 1918 for the Development of Education, Culture and Good Citizenship of Hebbar Iyengar Community in Karnataka and across the world. The Hebbar Srivaishnava Sabha is a Community Organization created in 1918 for the Development of Education, Culture and Good Citizenship of Hebbar Iyengar Community in Karnataka and across the world.
About The 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. 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
It means one who is characterised by five attributes (Ainduangangal)
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, Kadaba, Nonavinakere, Bindiganavile, Malur 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. So when Ramanuja preached Vishistadvaita,Srivaishnavism became popular in Tamilnadu and when Sri Ramanjuaru came from TN and settled in Karnataka for 12 long years and it spread 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 of Ramanuja in Karnataka named "Dhanya" gives similar answers to the origin of Hebbar Srivaishnavas. During the time when Ramanuja was in Tondanur(Tonnur) near Melukote, a group of elderly Kannada Brahmins came to Sri Ramanujar and offered to convert toSrivaishnava Religion impressed by Ramanujas philosophy of Vishistadvaita. Sri Ramanujar affectionately called the group of HiriyaHaruva (Elderly Brahmin Kannadigas) as Hebbar and thus originated the sect called Hebbar Sivaishnava (Iyengars). So Hebbar Srivaishnavas are originally Kannada Brahmins (Advaitins) who got converted to Srivaishnavas impressed by the teachings of Sri Ramanujacharyar. Sri Ramanujaru asked them to settle in different places of the Hoysala Kingdom(Current South Karnataka) and thus one can find many Hebbar Srivaishnavas 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 the Ramanuja’s philosophical works and Alwars DivyaPrabhandams translated to Kannada or English. However, they recite Nalayira DivyaPrabhandams in Temples in Karnataka forming Goshtis. They are called Melnatu Iyengars as they are residing in the High plateau of Karnataka. Another sect called Keelnatu Iyengars are those who migrated to Karnataka from Tamil Nadu, which is lower than the Plateau of Karnataka. Objectives of The Hebbar Sreevaishnava Sabha
Development of Education, Culture and Good Citizenship
Such other objectives as are calculated to promote the aims noted at (a) above
To carry out the above objectives effectively by the formation of Branches also known as Upasabhas at suitable regions affiliating them to the Parent Sabha
To undertake and administer Trusts created by the Sabha for achieving objectives noted at (a) above
Without prejudice to the generality of the powers of the Sabha, to take all such steps as may be necessary to carry out the above objectives
The Sabha, in particular, shall pay particular attention to build up adequate capital fund and, use the income generated thereby plus other funds to grant educational scholarships and to establish schools and other educational institutions
Enrichment of the members’ knowledge in the economical, educational, social and cultural fields and to take all necessary actions for the benefit of the members
Publication of material that includes religious and cultural matters and establishment of educational institutions
Offering assistance and scholarships to all deserving members in need of finances and offering help to the members in distress
Establishment of Old age homes to take care of the food and accommodation of the senior members of the community
Spreading the ideology and preaching of Sri Ramanujacharya, and establishment of institutions/schools for teaching Vedas and DivyaPrabhandas including training the priests
