Swami Shivananda was born 8th September 1887 ,to Parents Shri PS Vengu Iyyer and Srimati Parvati.The village name is  Pattamadai in Tamil Nadu.His pre-monastic name was Kuppuswami.Kuppuswami was a very intelligent boy in school. He studied in the Rajah’s High School in Ettayapuram and later on at SPG College n Tiruchirapalli. After the completion of First Arts Examination, Kuppuswami went to the Medical School in Tanjore.He practised medicine in Trichi and then moved to Malaya (Burma) where he became a very reputed doctor and flourished in his career.

He was regarded as a miracle worker. He served the poor patients free of charge.Inspite of his busy life, Dr Kuppuswami served the Sadhus, Sannyasis and beggars.At last Dr Kuppuswami,renounced the world in 1923 and came to Rishikesh.

Swami Sivananda did intense Sadhana. He continued to serve Sadhus, Sannyasis, and travellers to Badrinath.He practised all the noble teachings, gave up his ego, and surrendered to God. He did intense Japa, meditation and study living in a small hut by the banks of the river Ganges.He survived on taking bhiksha and consumed dry rotis with water of Ganges. Thus with intense desire to realize God, Swami Shivananda did rigorous Sadhana for 10 years and reached the supreme goal namely God realization. He shone as a Jivanmukta, a great yogi, and a liberated saint.

Swami Sivananda had numerous sincere seekers to him.He paid personal attention to the growth of each disciple. He worked to awaken people from ignorance and guided them to attain the object of human life.Swami Shivananda created legendary spiritual giants out of his disciples; Swami Chidananda, Swami Krishnananda, Swami Vishnudevananda, Swami Venkatesananda, Swami Omkarananda.