Rambhapuri Matha

Rambhapuri Matha is a foremost Acharya Peetha of the Pancha Peethas for people practicing Veerashaivism. Veerashaivism is a great religion as old as human race. This religion was founded and established by the panchacahryas who are the incarnation of God.

Shree Rambhapuri Peetha is located in integral part of a small town known as Balehonnur, 45 km to the North - West of Chickmagalur town, Karnataka, India. This Veerashaiva Math with mythical connections to Ramba, celestial dancer, as also to the giant Rambasura, is one of the five great panchacharya mathas. The Shree Veerabhadra temple attached to the matha has sturdy metallic images of Veerabhadra and Bhadrakali.

Rambhapuri Peetha is one of the most important pilgrimage centre due to the three prominent temples in its place

1) The existence of Shri Kshethra Natha and Gotra Purusha Shree Veerabhadra Temple.

2) Shakti Mata Shri Choudeshwari temple.

3) Shri Jagadguru Renukacharyaji as one of the glorious forms of God enshrined in the temple at Balehonnur Rambhapuri Peetha.

Shree Rambhapuri Peetha is a Heavenly Abode, Anybody who visits this place are awed by its pristine beauty and cannot escape the feel of spiritual bliss. This institution of spiritual bliss is headed by His Holiness Shri Jagadguru Veer Someshwara Bhagavatpadaru.

Contrary to popular belief that Veerashaivism or Lingayatism was started by Shree Basavanna, its emergence dates back more any available dates or data on its emergence, probably more than 2000 years old and passed through strict revered practice of God Worship mainly Lord Shiva.

History of the Peetha

Shree Rambhapuri Peetha is the first peetha of The Panchapeethas established by panchacharyas

1)The Rambhapuri2)The Ujjaini3) The Srishaila4) The Kedar5) The Kashi Peetha

Shri Jagadguru Renukacharyaji who is the Incarnation of Someshwar Linga of Kollipaki at Andhra Pradesh established the Rambhapuri Peetha 1st among the PanchaMahapeethas of Veerashaivism.

The Rambhapuri Peetha at Balehonnur, Chickmangalore District, Karnataka which is well known as the Kashmir of Karnataka. Shri Jagadguru Renukacharyajis conquest over religion started from Kollipakki to Malayachala. He traveled all the way to Malayachala or the present Rambhapuri Peetha at Balehonnur where the great Maharshi Agastya Muni was anxiously waiting to receive him. Shri Jagadguru Renukacharya preached him the 101 STHALAS of the Siddhanta Sikhamani the religious book of Veerashaivism.

Rambhapuri Peetha is a heaven on earth which is nestled on the river Tunga and rich in its natural beauty with ever green flora and founa. Its holistic spirit has made the people to pour in it form all the parts of the world .The moment the name of this Peetha is uttered the peoples hearts swell with great respect, pride and pleasure. Their devotional fervors rises sky high such is the enchanting power of this ancient Peetha.

The Rambhapuri Peetha or the Veera Simhasana Mahasamsthana Peetha of Balihalli has given birth to many a great souls from time immemorial. In all these years the Jagadgurus have unswervingly adhered to the ordinances of the practices. When we view events in retrospect of this yuga or this millennium we find that so far 120 Jagadgurus have reigned this Rambhapuri Peetha. To mention a few Jagadgurus starting from the 120th former Shri Jagadguru Rudramani shivacharya, 119 Peethadhipathi Shri Veera Gangadhara Jagadguru, 118 Jagadguru Shri Shivananda Shivacharya and so on goes the list of who have been placed on record. All these Jagadgurus have kindled the religious zeal in people and enlightened the common man by stating the purpose of religion as the creation of ˜DIVINE CONSCIOUNESS". Their unflinching dedication and the power of meditation have cast away the ignorance from the minds of the people. Thus they have all elevated the honor, dignity and the status of Rambhapuri Peetha in their own significant style.

The credit of proclaiming the slogan of Veerashaivas goes to the 119th Jagadguru Shri Veera Gangadhara Shivacharyaji. The slogan declared was :

"Victory be to the religion of humanity or hail oh human religion."Religion is the only road to universal peace"

"Manava Dharmakke Jayavagali,"Dharmadindale Vishwakke Shanti"

The present Rambhapuri Jagadguru Shri Someshwara Bhagavatpadaru added laurels to the feather in the cap of Rambhapuri Peetha by adding to the slogan his motto which is :"Let Literature and culture flourish andLet Peace and Prosperity reach everyone"

This is the specialty of Rambhapuri Peetha. These slogans and mottos has been unanimously accepted by all the Veerashaivas.

Seer who strove for Religious freedom 121st Jagadguru Shri Veera Someshwara Shivacharya

The Acharyas should not be mistaken to ordinary man. They are the LIVING GODS and chosen representatives of Gods. These Gurus alone can awaken the dormant power in us.

It was the turn of the magnanimous soul Shri Jagadguru Veera Someshwara Shivacharya to the noble inheritance of The Rambhapuri Peetha and make real the dream come true through numerous achievements in culture and heritage. Time cannot wither or stale the luster of the sacristies that this Present Jagadguru Shri Rambhapureeshji has made.

His transformation of the demoralized veerashaiva society at this time is a landmark forever. His spiritual ideals and practical adherences have sprouted and blossomed in the hearts of his followers.

A study of his life and personality and all that he has accomplished in a short span of 12 years in his reign has become a necessity be documented and placed on record.