Abalashram was founded at the dawn of 20th century by the late Smt and Sri Venkatavarada Iyengar as a "Home" for total orphan girls and women with post-marital problems. Sri Iyengar paved the way for establishing Abalashram by marrying Smt.Krishnamma, a childhood widow. The burning ideals of Arya Samaj, his personal zeal for helping deprived women and the support he received from his life partner sowed the seeds. Both of them resolved to make a beginning in a small way and converted their own modest home, which was located at Basavanagudi, Bangalore, into a santuary for abandoned women and totally orphaned girls in 1905.
Soon the need was felt to expand the activity and Abalashrama moved to its own spacious premises on Dr. D.V.G Road (formerly know as Nagasandra Road) in 1911. It was registered as a society in 1943-44 and when an elected body took over the reins to run the organization, it started functioning as a full-fledged formal institution. Since then, it has not only been providing shelter and food for the residents, but also has strived to integrate them into the social mainstream by providing education and vocational training. It has also successfully arranged marriages when suitable boys approach it, after thorough scrutiny, there by providing a whole new meaning to their lives.
Abalashram strictly enforces the following criteria before admitting a new resident.
* Total orphan girls (without both the parents) and women with problems after marriage (desertion, widowhood and divorce).
* Girls above 15 years and women below 25 years. They should be physically and mentally fit.
* Should provide a truthful and complete background of the applicant.