Kanchi matha
The Kanchi matha is known formally as Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. It is a religious institution based in Kanchipuram. During the later 20th century, it became one of the most influential institutions of the Hindu religion in India.
Its current head is Jayendra Saraswati, who is often referred to by the title of Sankaracharya, or in English as the Pontiff. The appointed successor to the current head is Vijayendra Saraswati.
The matha's official history states that it was founded by Shankara of Kaladi, and that Jayendra Saraswati is its 69th head in succession to Shankara. A related claim is that Shankara came to Kanchipuram, and that prior to his death there, that he established the Kanchi matha in a position of supremacy over the other mathas of India. This claim is disputed. Alternative accounts state that the matha was established much more recently in Kumbhakonam, as a branch of the Sringeri matha, and that it later declared itself independent. It was then moved to Kanchipuram during the 19th century, by the former head Chandrasekharendra Saraswati. It should be noted that most accounts of Shankara give the place of his death as Kedarnath in the Himalayas.
From late 2004, the matha became embroiled in controversy when its current head and his successor were arrested and accused of instigating the murder of one of its staff. The matter is still being investigated.
Guru parampara
Chronological list of heads of the matha, according to the official account.
- Sri Adi Sankara Bhagavatpada
- Sri Suresvaracharya
- Sri Sarvajnatman
- Sri Sathyabodhendra Saraswati
- Sri Jnanandendra Saraswati
- Sri Suddhanandendra Saraswati
- Sri Aanandaghanendra Saraswati
- Sri Kaivalyanandayogendra Saraswati
- Sri Krpa Sankarendra Saraswati
- Sri Sureswara
- Sri Sivananda Chidghanendra Saraswati
- Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati
- Sri Satchidghanendra Saraswati
- Sri Vidyaghanendra Saraswati
- Sri Gangadharendra Saraswati
- Sri Ujjvala Sankarendra Saraswati
- Sri Sadasivendra Saraswati
- Sri Yogafilaka Surendra Saraswati
- Sri Martanda Vidyaghanendra Saraswati
- Sri Muka Sankarendra Saraswati
- Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati II
- Sri Bodhendra Saraswati
- Sri Satchisukhendra Saraswati
- Sri Chitsukhendra Saraswati
- Sri Satchidanandaghanendra Saraswati
- Sri Prajnaghanendra Saraswati
- Sri Chidvilasendra Saraswati
- Sri Mahadeve11dra Saraswati I
- Sri Purnabhodhendra Saraswati
- Sri Bhodhendra Saraswati II
- Sri Brahmanandaghanendra Saraswati
- Sri Chidanandaghanendra Saraswati
- Sri Satchidananda Saraswati
- Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati III
- Sri Chitsukhendra Saraswati
- Sri Chitsukhanandendra Saraswati
- Sri Vidyaghanendra Saraswati III
- Sri Abhinava Sankarendra Saraswati
- Sri Satchidvilaasendra Saraswati
- Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati II
- Sri Gangadharendra Saraswati II
- Sri Brahmanandaghanendra Saraswati
- Sri Anandaghanendra Saraswati
- Sri Purnabhodhendra Saraswati II
- Sri Paramasivendra Saraswati I
- Sri Sandranandabhodhendra Saraswati
- Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati IV
- Sri Advaitanandabodhendra Saraswati
- Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati III
- Sri Chandrachudendra Saraswati I
- Sri Vidyateerthendra Saraswati
- Sri Sankaranandendra Saraswati
- Sri Purnananda Sadasivendra Saraswati
- Sri Vyasachala Mahadevendra Saraswati
- Sri Chandrachudhendra Saraswati II
- Sri Sarvajna Sadasiva Bhodhendra Saraswati
- Sri Paramasivendra Saraswati II
- Sri Atma Bodhendra Saraswati
- Sri Bhagavannama Bodhendra Saraswati
- Sri Advaitatma Prakasendra Saraswati
- Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati IV
- Sri ChandrasekharendraSaraswati V
- Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati V
- Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati VI
- Sri Sudarsana Mahadevendra Saraswati
- Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati VII
- Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati V
- Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal
- Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal
- Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal
External links
- Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham – Official website
- Real History of the Kanchi math; disputes the claims of an ancient establishment.
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