Among the sacred objects associated with Sree Narayana Guru, a few items such as his cot and walking sticks have been preserved at different locations. However, the only surviving physical relic of Guru Devan in the world today—comprising one original tooth and two artificial teeth—is presently in the custody of the Sreenarayana Mandira Samiti, Mumbai.
These sacred relics were formally received by the Samiti on 11 January 2004. They are reverently preserved in a gold-plated casket within a specially constructed shrine at the International Study Centre of the Samiti at Nerul, Navi Mumbai.
Inspired by the spiritual path of the historic Sivagiri Theerthadanam, the Samiti initiated the annual Gurudevagiri Theerthadanam at this sacred site. Every year, the pilgrimage features grand processions, cultural conventions, spiritual discourses, and artistic programmes. Traditionally, the Theerthadanam is held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the first week of February.
As this year marks the Silver Jubilee of Gurudevagiri Theerthadanam, the celebrations are scheduled for 30 and 31 January and 1 February. The sacred relics are displayed for public darshan only during the pilgrimage days, drawing thousands of devotees from across India and abroad.
Historical Background
Whenever Sree Narayana Guru visited Thiruvananthapuram, he would often stay at the residence of Dr. G. O. Pal, a dental surgeon. Dr. Pal’s mother and uncles were devoted followers of the Guru. His dental dispensary was located opposite the present-day Secretariat.
Dr. Pal hailed from a family whose lineage runs parallel to the historical evolution of Kerala, tracing its roots to trading communities that migrated from Cheramadavi near Madurai via Aruvamozhi.
On one such visit, Guru Devan mentioned severe tooth pain. Acting on the advice of his elder relative, Dr. Pal fitted an artificial tooth for the Guru. However, when the pain persisted later, Dr. Pal assured Guru Devan that he would extract the affected tooth and replace it at Sivagiri.
Accordingly, in 1926, Dr. Pal visited Sivagiri with his elder relative and examined the Guru’s teeth. Severe inflammation was found in the upper gum of a molar. The following morning, Dr. Pal carefully extracted the affected natural tooth along with two artificial teeth that had earlier been fitted.
Guru Devan then told him:
“Keep these teeth with you.”
When Dr. Pal hesitantly asked whether new teeth should be fitted, the Guru responded with profound philosophical depth:
“Are teeth meant merely to smile? Does one need teeth to smile with the soul?”
Preservation of the Sacred Relics
Dr. Pal preserved these teeth as a priceless treasure, carrying them wherever he went. Even when he later travelled to the United States to stay with his son Dr. Gopal Shivraj Pal, he ensured the relics remained with him. Dr. Shivraj Pal later served as a panel doctor to the President of the United States.
In a letter written to M. Radhakrishnan of the Alummoottu family, Dr. Pal stated:
“In 1925, as a practising dentist, I was divinely blessed to extract one of Guru Devan’s teeth. I have preserved it ever since in a silver vessel like a sacred treasure. Wherever I go, the relics remain with me. After my lifetime, my son Shivraj Pal will safeguard them. The world-renowned Smithsonian Institution has expressed interest in acquiring and preserving this sacred object, but my desire is to keep it with me throughout my life. Guru Devan himself inaugurated my dental practice in Thiruvananthapuram. Whatever progress and prosperity my family and I have attained is solely due to his blessings.”
Journey to Mumbai
Shivadasan Madhavan of the Alummoottu family was a close friend of Dr. Shivraj Pal in the United States. In 1984, during a visit to Shivraj Pal’s residence, he met Dr. G. O. Pal. Upon learning of Shivadasan’s family lineage, Dr. Pal grew deeply attached to him, and their interactions became frequent and meaningful.
During these conversations, Dr. Pal revealed that he possessed Guru Devan’s sacred teeth. Shivadasan still vividly recalls the first moment he held those divine relics.
In his advanced age, Dr. Pal returned permanently to Thiruvananthapuram and passed away in 1996 at the age of 96. Before his death, he expressed his wish that the relics be handed over to Shivadasan Madhavan and preserved at a suitable place for public darshan.
Honouring this wish, Shivadasan Madhavan undertook a careful search for a worthy organisation. After discussions with late Dr. K. K. Damodaran, then President of the Samiti, and understanding the Samiti’s values and functioning, he concluded that Sreenarayana Mandira Samiti was the most appropriate custodian.
Shivadasan personally brought the relics from the United States to Mumbai. On 11 January 2004, during a solemn ceremony held at the International Sree Narayana Study Centre, Navi Mumbai, the relics were formally received on behalf of the Samiti by R. K. Krishnakumar, former Director of Tata Sons, and handed over to Dr. K. K. Damodaran.
A Sacred Fulfilment
Following the handover, Shivadasan Madhavan recorded that he felt a deep sense of peace and fulfilment. In an emotional letter to the Samiti, he wrote that his long search had finally come to an end and that the offering was made in reverence to Dr. G. O. Pal and Dr. Shivraj Pal.
Every year, thousands of devotees from different parts of the world gather at Gurudevagiri, Nerul to have darshan of Guru Devan’s sacred relics—much like the revered preservation of Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth relic in Sri Lanka.
N. S. Salim Kumar Former General Secretary Sreenarayana Mandira Samiti
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