Nava Jyothi Sree Karunakara Guru (September 1, 1927 – May 6, 1999) was born in Chandiroor, Alappuzha district, Kerala.[1] The humility, dignity and calm poise of this ascetic attracted to this young aspirant the devotees who came in large numbers to the institution of Sivagiri Madom of Sri Narayana Guru.Before long, in the year 1957, the Guru bid farewell to Sivagiri and shifted to Varkala. Guru's new abode came to be known as Santhigiri. While at Sivagiri, people used to call the Guru as Karunakaran Santhi. The word Santhi stands for the one who performs pooja -worship. The word giri stands for mountain. Thus, the giri -mountain- where Karunakaran Santhi shifted, became Santhigiri, which now truly signifies ‘the mountain of peace,’ a place where tens of thousands of people have come seeking directions in their material, emotional and spiritual life so as to be led to the supreme aim of human life, which is the communion with the Supreme Light. This was the beginning of Santhigiri Ashram....
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The teachings of Karunakara Guru inspired many personalities of India and abroad.
Inspired by the Guru's life and message, Sri K R Narayanan donated his ancestral home at Uzhavoor in Kerala to Santhigiri Ashram for starting a research centre. Also wished that his last rites be performed by sanyasis of the Santhigiri Ashram. [2]
Guru's immense influence inspired O. V. Vijayan to write Gurusagaram.After the publication of `Khasakhinte Ithihasam' (Saga of Khazakh), described as Vijayan's masterpiece, he went through a barren phase which ended after his first encounter with the Guru. And then followed other works like `Dharmapuranam' and `Gurusagaram,' all dedicated to Karunakara Guru.[3]
Super hit Malayalam movie Guru was made by Director Rajeev Anchal due to the influence of Karunakara Guru's teachings.[4]