Pujya Swami Dayananda Saraswati, a profound thinker, spiritual master and teacher of Vedanta, was born in Manjakkudi, on 15 August 1930. His parents, Sri Gopala lyer and Smt. Valambal named their son Natarajan. He studied in the village primary school until Class 5, and later in the Government High School at Ohai, Kudavasal. In 1948, after completing his high school, Swamiji left for Chennai to seek employment. In the next few decades, Swamiji’s life underwent a great transformation. The spiritual life beckoned him and he followed his guru Swami Chinmayanandaji, studying, teaching and travelling across the world spreading the vision of Vedanta. After taking Sanyas from his guru in 1962, he was given the name Swami Dayananda Saraswati. He attained Samadhi on 23rd September 2015 at Rishikesh. He was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2016.

Although he was always keenly aware of the needs of the people of this region, it was not until the year 2000. That he could focus on his birth village. In 2001, the Swami Dayananda College of Arts and Science was established. In quick succession it was followed by the Semmangudi Higher Secondary School, Swami Dayananda Veda Pathasala and finally in 2006, the Swami Dayananda Matric Higher Secondary School.

Despite his modest background, coming from a small village, Swamiji rose to become one of the greatest spiritual leaders and master of Vedanta. Every moment of his life was spent either in teaching, studying or helping people. His life is an inspiring example of determination, courage and untiring effort.

Swamiji’s vision was that each individual is taught to appreciate his or her culture he or she is born into; for only such a person who values his or her background can grow into a confident, mature human being, who can contribute to the growth of his community, of his country. It is this vision that guides each of our institution, in their efforts to reach out to the students of rural India.