On 28th April 2017, Chief Guest Isaikkavi Ramanan, a renowned speaker on literature and spirituality, explained in simple language, the greatness of Sri Ramanuja Acharya, as the forerunner for Sevalaya’s inspirers, Mahakavi Bharathiyar, Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Vivekananda.
Ramanan highlighted the following essential aspects of Acharya’s life: Acharya’s role in establishing temple administration, regularising the way prayers are to be offered, making recitation of Alwar Pasurams compulsory during prayers at Vaishnavite temples , as a means to preserve the Pasurams for posterity, simplifying the recitation form of Pasurams, teaching the mantra of Om Namo Narayana to all people irrespective of caste/creed , thus ensuring social justice, asserting the right of people of all castes to offer prayers at the temple and advocating social service as an essential part of worship.
The idol of Sri Ramanujacharya was brought to Sevalaya from Sri Ramanuja Kaingarya Trust and prayers were offered by Manivannan Bhattacharya from Sri Bhakthavatsala Perumal temple at Thiruninravur.
