Ramachandrapura Math

"Sri Sri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamstanam SriSamstana Gokarna Shree Ramachandrapura Matha" is a Hindu religious establishment that was established in Gokarna by Shree Shankaracharya for the propagation of Sanathana Dharma. Initially, the Math was called as Shree Raghotham Peeta, and subsequently came known to be the “Shree Ramachandrapura Math".

History

Shree Math has an illustrious history of more than 1300 Years and was established by Shree Adi Shankaracharya. It is the only Math with an unbroken lineage (Avichchinna Parampara) of Peethadhishas. The first Peethadhisha Shree Vidyananda Acharya was the disciple of Adi Shankara. Shree Shankaracharya bestowed a rare Chandramouleeshwara Lingam and Idols of Shree Rama, Seetha, Lakshmana and other deities to the Math. These were worshiped with great devotion and reverence by the subsequent Swamijis and to this day the worship continues. The twelfth pontiff Shree Ramachandra Bharathi Swamiji built a new Math on the banks of River Sharavathi in Hosanagara, Shimoga District, Karnataka, in the 15th century and since then the Math at Hosanagara has gained prominence as the main one. Historical documents state that the Math was revered and held in great esteem by the Emperors of Vijayanagara, Keladi and Mysore. Even the Nawabs of Hyderabad and Nawabs of Mysore like Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan acknowledged both the temporal and spiritual sway of the Shree Math which is symbolised by the Throne and Crown of the Peeta.

Crown

The Ramachandrapura Math is a Raja Peeta/Jagadguru Peeta, (a blending of both Adhyatmika/Sanyasa and Royal patronage). The Gold Crown was honoured at the time of Vijayanagar Dynasty, with few of royal patronage as Adda Pallaki (Palkin), Hagalu Deevatike, Boparak (Praise of Honour), etc. It is the peeta which conducts, Addapallaki & Keeritotsava on special occasions, since ages. It is the peeta which has seen many Dynasties, Rulers, its rise & fall, had been considered a moral guideline by many in past & even present.

Throne

The Shree Math has a stunningly beautiful ivory throne. This invaluable piece of art was carved during the period of Shree Ramachandra Bharathi Swamiji (the 34th pontiff), out of the tusks of Ramabhadra, the elephant whose love and devotion to Shree Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji (33rd pontiff) is legendary. This manually carved throne with its intricate designs, which depict scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharatha and Bhagavatha, is studded with precious stones and gold inlay work.

Prospects

Shree Shree Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji is the 36th Jagadguru and he is greatly revered by some as the an illustrious and illuminating personality in the field of Sanskrit, Vedanta and social welfare. Shree Math under the holy and able guidance of it‘s current pontiff Shree Shree Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji is helping people to live in a better world not only by preserving and propagating the Sanathana Dharma but also by taking-up social welfare programmes.

The present pontiff, greatly revered by all as the incarnation of Adi Shankara. Shree Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji believes that the Math has to help the people live in a better world not only by preserving and propagating the Sanathana Dharma but also by taking-up social welfare programmes. Relentlessly working on his dream, Shree Swamiji has embarked on massive social welfare programmes such as Value Based Education System, Hospitals & Health Care for Rural Poor, Food distribution for poor, Cancer Research, Protecting & Preserving native Indian breed Cows, Propagation of organic farming, etc. to name a few. Some of these projects are unique and are being widely appreciated in India and Abroad. The success of these projects are already visible and people from all walks of life are involving themselves in realizing Swamiji’s dream of gifting ourselves a better tomorrow.

The Mutt has majority in recent years concentrated on Indian breed cattle preservation ( Cows). In fact, the census by Animal Husbandry shows decline in Cattle over years, & most of Indian breed are in verge of extinction (eg., Vachuru breed of Kerala is expected around 100 Nos. in all & after the initiation to protect Indian breed by math, the Keral Govt.very recently has taken steps to protect the same). Of 36 Indian cattle breeds now known in India, all are found in Math, which are preserved for future generation. It is the only institution in India with single largest collection of Indian Cow breed (Bos Indicos), & the present pontiff, have declared his future work to concentrate only around the protection of the Indian cow breed( Bharathiya Go Samrakshane). Furture concentration is on research, on them to give more to society of the benefits of these breeds, & also it ‘Gavyautpanna’or products from Cow, as, Gavya Arka, Doopa, Danthamanjana, Medicines, etc. In fact, the State Governments have noted the importance from here, & have announced projects based on the work developments here.

In April 2006, the Math organized the mega festival of the epic Ramayana - the Ramayana Mahasatra - at its premises at Hosanagar in Karnataka. It attracted 15 lakhs of devotees from all walks of life. The event was a whole bunch Ramayana Festival. All the cultural, deity forms of Ramayana as worshiped in different parts of India, was brought under the event, so that people can have the glimpse of the entire cultural events of Ramayana in India. Many of dignitaries attended the event with praise, and food was served to all with name of Maha Annasantharpana (ie, megha food charity/offerings).

This August 2008, was a historical period in the math history, with receiving back the full administration, of Sri Samstan Gokarna Mahabaleshwar Temple in Gokarna. The Temple was under full control of math for over 1,200 years, with just missing administration for a short period. The temple was officially passed to the math by the Government of Karnataka, as there were sufficient documents & scriptures supporting the past administration by the math.

World Conference on Indian Breed Cattle

The mega festival “Vishwa Gou Sammelana - 2007”, (ie, World Conference on Indian Breed Cattle) was held from 21 April to 29 April, 2007. It was a unique festival concentrating on anything and everything on protection of Indian Cow breed (Bos Indicos), which is on vast declining in count. A gathering of over 40 lakh people had visited the event criss-crossing the religion & caste boundaries, & around 26 Lakh people had taken food(Maha annasantharpana). Dignitaries from 13 countries, representation from over 20 nations from all religion community had participated in the event, & some even in seminars on Indian Cow Breed discources, which were held daily, & the event was televised in 42 countries all over the world. The theme of the event “Vande Gomatharam” (ie, Great bows to Cattle(in India, among animals Cattle’s are considered god.)) was echoed everywhere, & people greeted each other in the name of cow (ie, go-matha).

The Sammelan finally concluded with few of points as, 1). Non-violent protest to ban cow slaughter, 2). To appeal to mass to stop cross-breeding of Indian cattle breeding, and to let to grow Indian breed in its indigenous natural setup, 3). To appeal to rural folk / farmers, to rear the cows even in its old age, and to transfer to go-shala only if the event doesn't favour (ie, to rear the cows in each houses), 4). To pressure the administration authority to implement the strict rules laid in law on transportation of cattle, 5). To pressure all ruling governments to introduce a subject in education on the Indian cattle breed, its necessity to livelihood, agriculture, & economy as whole, 6). Promote the cow products other than milk products, & Go-Arke, its use as medicine, etc. In short, to emphasis on Go-matha(Cows), "a natural birth - a natural life - a natural death ".

External links

* [http://www.srimath.org/ Shree Ramachandrapura Math's home page]
* [http://vishwagou.org/ vishwagou.org]

ee also

*Swarnavalli Mutt
*Vishwa Gou Sammelana