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When and where was Swami Sivananda born?

Swami Sivananda’s earthly journey began on 8 September 1887, in the quiet village of Pattamadai, situated in the Tirunelveli district of what is now Tamil Nadu, India. This specific time and place form the historical seedbed from which his later spiritual influence would grow and spread. The precision of the date and the clear identification of the village and district help anchor his life not only in spiritual memory but also in verifiable history. Such grounding reminds seekers that even great sages emerge within particular cultural and geographical contexts, rather than appearing as figures detached from time and place.

Pattamadai, as a village in Tirunelveli district, offers a glimpse into the traditional South Indian milieu that shaped Swami Sivananda’s early environment. The confluence of regional culture, language, and devotional practices in that part of Tamil Nadu provided a fertile background for the unfolding of his spiritual aspirations. Recognizing the details of his birth—8 September 1887 in Pattamadai, Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu—allows a contemplative appreciation of how a seemingly ordinary birth in a small village can later radiate profound spiritual influence across the world.