His refusal to allow low-caste to enter Hindu temples is believed to have led to the Vaikom Satyagraha.
Raghavaiah was born in a Telugu-speaking family from the northern part of the Madras Presidency.
He had his education in Madras city and entered the provincial civil service when he was posted as Deputy Collector in 1893.
Raghavaiah was appointed Diwan of Travancore in 1920, replacing M. Krishnan Nair.
Raghavaih was made a Diwan Bahadur in 1921 and a Companion of the Order of the Star of India in 1924.