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.

1. Sri Adi Sankara Bhagavatpada
2. Sri Suresvaracharya
3. Sri Sarvajnatman
4. Sri Sathyabodhendra Saraswati
5. Sri Jnanandendra Saraswati
6. Sri Suddhanandendra Saraswati
7. Sri Aanandaghanendra Saraswati
8. Sri Kaivalyanandayogendra Saraswati
9. Sri Krpa Sankarendra Saraswati
10. Sri Sureswara
11. Sri Sivananda Chidghanendra Saraswati
12. Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati
13. Sri Satchidghanendra Saraswati
14. Sri Vidyaghanendra Saraswati
15. Sri Gangadharendra Saraswati
16. Sri Ujjvala Sankarendra Saraswati
17. Sri Sadasivendra Saraswati
18. Sri Yogafilaka Surendra Saraswati
19. Sri Martanda Vidyaghanendra Saraswati
20. Sri Muka Sankarendra Saraswati
21. Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati II
22. Sri Bodhendra Saraswati
23. Sri Satchisukhendra Saraswati
24. Sri Chitsukhendra Saraswati
25. Sri Satchidanandaghanendra Saraswati
26. Sri Prajnaghanendra Saraswati
27. Sri Chidvilasendra Saraswati
28. Sri Mahadeve11dra Saraswati I
29. Sri Purnabhodhendra Saraswati
30. Sri Bhodhendra Saraswati II
31. Sri Brahmanandaghanendra Saraswati
32. Sri Chidanandaghanendra Saraswati
33. Sri Satchidananda Saraswati
34. Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati III
35. Sri Chitsukhendra Saraswati
36. Sri Chitsukhanandendra Saraswati
37. Sri Vidyaghanendra Saraswati III
38. Sri Abhinava Sankarendra Saraswati
39. Sri Satchidvilaasendra Saraswati
40. Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati II
41. Sri Gangadharendra Saraswati II
42. Sri Brahmanandaghanendra Saraswati
43. Sri Anandaghanendra Saraswati
44. Sri Purnabhodhendra Saraswati II
45. Sri Paramasivendra Saraswati I
46. Sri Sandranandabhodhendra Saraswati
47. Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati IV
48. Sri Advaitanandabodhendra Saraswati
49. Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati III
50. Sri Chandrachudendra Saraswati I
51. Sri Vidyateerthendra Saraswati
52. Sri Sankaranandendra Saraswati
53. Sri Purnananda Sadasivendra Saraswati
54. Sri Vyasachala Mahadevendra Saraswati
55. Sri Chandrachudhendra Saraswati II
56. Sri Sarvajna Sadasiva Bhodhendra Saraswati
57. Sri Paramasivendra Saraswati II
58. Sri Atma Bodhendra Saraswati
59. Sri Bhagavannama Bodhendra Saraswati
60. Sri Advaitatma Prakasendra Saraswati
61. Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati IV
62. Sri ChandrasekharendraSaraswati V
63. Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati V
64. Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati VI
65. Sri Sudarsana Mahadevendra Saraswati
66. Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati VII
67. Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati V
68. Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal
69. Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal
70. 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.