Ranganathan was born in Shiyali in Tanjavoor District of Tamil Nadu (then part of
Madras Presidency) in his maternal grandfather's house in North Rampart Street,
(Vadakku Madavilaga Theruvu) around 9.30 A.M. on 9th August 1892. It was a
Gayathri Japam day in the month of Adi of the year Nandana. On that day and at that
time, South Indian Brahmins recite Manthram to Gayathri to redeem them from the
sins committed by them thus far. His Janmanakshatra was Danishta and Lagna Kanya.
He was the first child of his parents and the first grandchild of the grandparents both
paternal and maternal.