It was a regional movement born out of conflict between the depressed classes and upper castes.
It was started by Sree Narayana Guru Swamy among the Ezhavas of Kerala, who were a backward caste of toddy-tappers and were considered to be untouchables, denied education and entry into temples.
Aruvippuram movement (1888): Narayan Guru who himself is a Ezhavas, took a stone from the Neyyar river and installed it as a Sivalinga at Aruvippuram temple. It was intended to show that consecration of an idol was not the monopoly of the higher castes.
With this he began a revolution that soon led to the removal of many discriminations in Kerala’s society.
The famous poet Kumaran Asan was a disciple of Narayana Guru.
Narayan Guru decided to expand into a big organisation to help the Ezhavas to progress materially as well as spiritually.
In 1913, he founded the Advaita Ashram at Aluva. This was an important event in his spiritual quest. This Ashram was dedicated to a great principle – Om Sahodaryam Sarvatra (all men are equal in the eyes of God).
Thus the Aruvippuram Sree Narayana Guru Dharma Paripalana Yogam (in short SNDP) was registered in 1903 under the Indian Companies Act, with Narayana Guru as its permanent chairman, and Kumaran Asan as the general secretary.
