Sadguru Sri Nannagaru (1934 – 2017)
Shri Bhupathiraju Venkata Lakshmi Narasimharaju, lovingly called "Nannagaru" by his devotees — "Nanna" meaning "Father" in Telugu and "Garu" being an honorific — was born on September 23, 1934 in the village of Kommara, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh, India. He later settled in Jinnur of the same district.
His father passed away during his childhood, and he was raised by his mother Rajayamma and grandmother in a devout family of pious disposition. Sri Sivananda of Rishikesh blessed him with the words: "Be Good and Do Good."
A pivotal moment occurred in 1957 when Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi appeared in a vivid dream and kissed him on his cheeks thrice, marking a profound turn in his daily life. From that moment, he devoted his life to propagating the message of Sat-Guru Ramana.
People thronged around him in thousands to listen to his teachings. His meditation sittings attracted men and women from all corners of the world. He preached the path of Jnana in a manner understandable to a common man, making the highest spiritual truths accessible to householders, students, and seekers alike. He was known for his "piercing" meditative glances and profound silence that communicated spiritual truths beyond words.
He taught: "You must harmonize all the four yogas — Karma, Bhakti, Dhyana and Jnana — and attain spiritual evolution. Harmonizing all the four paths is the safest path."
Nannagaru dropped his mortal frame on December 29, 2017 at 12:00 PM, but his spiritual influence continues among devotees worldwide. Reading Ramana Bhaskara, which holds the heart of Nannagaru's teachings spanning over 50 years, has quelled the sorrow of many devotees and filled their hearts with peace and joy.
About the Trust
Sri Nanna Hridayam Trust is a charitable organisation established to honour Sadguru Sri Nannagaru and continue his legacy of spiritual and humanitarian work. The trust represents the boundless and unconditional love the spiritual teacher extended to his followers.
His love continues to inspire acts of kindness, support, and service. Sri Nanna Hridayam Trust serves as a platform to continue the compassionate work of Nannagaru, focusing on initiatives that positively impact and bring about meaningful change in the lives of those in need.
Our Activities
Food Assistance: Feeding the poor and ensuring that no one in the community goes hungry, embodying Nannagaru's compassion for the underprivileged.
Healthcare: Providing medical assistance and elderly care services, supporting devotees and their families during illness and health challenges.
Educational Scholarships: Offering educational scholarships and support to students, nurturing the next generation with Nannagaru's values — rooted in his teaching that "Without humility one cannot obtain education."
Social Welfare: General support for underprivileged communities, coming together as one family in the spirit of selfless service that Nannagaru exemplified. As he taught: "Devotees are our real relatives."
Lineage & Teachings
Sri Nannagaru stands in the sacred lineage of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, one of the greatest saints of modern India. Ramana Maharshi's teaching of "Who am I?" — the path of Self-inquiry — is the foundation of all that the Trust shares.
Nannagaru often said: "Speech is silver but silence is gold. You all want silver but not gold. You always want me to teach you the subject in words. You like to listen my words, but you don't like my silence."
His core teachings emphasised: "If you identify yourselves with the Truth, you will view both men and women as Truth only. You must attain such a standard and level of Consciousness." Through Nannagaru's grace, Ramana's timeless wisdom continues to guide seekers on the path to liberation.