Inspired by the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, Bala Mandir was started in 1949 by late Sri. K.Kamaraj and Smt. S. Manjubhashini. It is today a premier Social Welfare Organisation, which has over the years sheltered thousands of children in difficult circumstances – orphans, destitute and socio-economically deprived children – and now the activities are expanded to include children with special needs. Bala Mandir is a registered society under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975.

The institution has excellent facilities for all its activities – children’s home (infants, toddlers, girls and boys), crèche with a Montessori environment, schools teaching in English mediums (primary, high school, children with special needs), resource centre, administrative block etc., due to the wonderful work done over the years with the support of its well-wishers and donors. It is housed in 5 acres of prime land in Chennai. Bala Mandir also has one unit outside of Chennai, located in Nagercoil in Tamil Nadu.

Bala Mandir is an independently run organisation which is not affiliated to any specific corporate organisation or individual or group. The institution is largely funded through Government grants for specific programmes and donations from a limited group of Corporates as well as people from within India and outside, who know about Bala Mandir and have had many years of association with it. Bala Mandir has all necessary approvals as a charitable institution including FCRA approval.