Sree Narayana Vidyarthini Sadanam Ernakulam, Cochin, is one of the most eminent women's institutions in Kerala. The S.N.V. Sadanam started in the name of Sree Narayana Guru, 84 years ago has always upheld the ideals of the Guru and has been giving many creditable services to the general public.

S.N.V. Sadanam, started 84 years ago as a tiny seedling has grown into a mighty banyan tree. In the beginning it was in a small rented building with five school girls as its inmates. In those times there were no hostels in Ernakulam giving accommodation to girls belonging to backward and schedule classes. Providing accommodation for girl students who came to Ernakulam to pursue their studies from distant parts of Kerala, was the need of the hour. It was with a view to satisfy this long felt need that Thapaswini Amma and three others started Sadanam on June 6, 1921.

The hostel was to provide board and acommodation at cheap rates to girl students irrespective of caste, creed and community. Later S.N.V. Sadanam was registered as a Public Charitable Trust on 30th April 1956. The hostel which had been functioning in rented buildings one after another, finally managed to have a building of its own on 29th March, 1960, in the heart of the city near Ernakulam South Railway Station.

S.N.V. Sadanam is a shining example of how the pioneering efforts of a band of dedicated people can lead to the fulfillment of a dream. Eminent social workers like Mrs. Parvathy Ayyappan and Mrs. Bhavani Krishnan literally built this institution with their  "blood, toil, tears and sweat". The Sadanam has been in the forefront of all social service activities launched by the State or public at large ever since its inception. At present the Sadanam Trust has 150 members who have chosen to become members out of genuine spirit of service and spontaneous regard of the institution.