A famous religious center and history can be traced back to the period of Adi Shankara who professed Advaita (Non-Dualism) philosophy, established Maths to propagate it. Shri Vishwavandya Saraswati, the first Guru of this Peetha was blessed by Adi Shankara. The Matha was founded in Dashashwamedhaghat at Kashi, and later shifted to Ujjaini, Gokarna, Kadtoke, Sahasralinga and the present Swarnavalli, respectively.
About Shree Matha
SHREE SWARNAVALLI MAHA SAMSTHANA
Location
Shree Matha is situated amidst evergreen forests near Shalmala river in Sirsi Taluk of Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka, is a famous religious centre and history can be traced back to the period of Adi Shankara who professed Advaita (Non-Dualism) philosophy, established Maths to propagate it.
History Of Matha
Shri Vishwavandya Saraswati, the first Guru of this Peetha was blessed by Adi Shankara. The Matha was founded in Dashashwamedhaghat at Kashi, and later shifted to Ujjaini, Gokarna, Kadtoke, Sahasralinga and the present Swarnavalli, respectively. Owing to the royal patronage and people’s faith, the Matha besides becoming a Gurupeetha for the entire Gokarna-Mandala, developed a Mahasamsthana.
Devotees & Followers
Shree Matha has worldwide followers & Devotees. It includes 16 seemas in the Upperghat and several places in the Lowerghat and many more disciples across India. Havyakas, Ramakshatriyas, Sheeligas, Siddhis, Marathis, Goulis, Bhandaris and Kunbis and many more are the traditional disciples of this Math in addition to devotees and theists.
The Swarnavalli Matha, about 16 KM away from Sirsi, located on the bank of Shalmala, being surrounded by areca and coconut gardens, ever green forests, hillocks, valleys, paddy fields, rivulets and a number of historical monuments-Mathas, temples, tanks, fort, stone inscriptions, etc. Even though the Swrnavalli Matha came into prominence, ever since Arasappa Nayaka II, the king of Swadi, got erected the Swarnavalli Matha in Honnehalli grama and granted the same to Chandrashekhara Saraswati of the Sahasralinga Matha.
In the 9th century A.D Vishwavandya Saraswati was ordained sanyasa and installed as the first guru of the Matha at Dashashwamedha Ghat in Kashi, by Bhaskarendra Saraswati , one of the prominent disciple of Adi Shankaracharya. The sanyasa Parigrihana took place in the presence of Adi Shankara and Vishwavandya was blessed by the Acharya. The Shri Matha , during different periods, was shifted from Kashi to Ujjaini, Ujjaini to Gokarna, Gokarna to Kadtoke, Kadtoke to Sahsralinga, Sahasralinga to the present Swarnavalli , respectively.The Guru-Parampara from Vishwavandya Saraswati to the present Gangadjarendra Saraswati , the 54th in the illustrious line, is an unbroken line of succession. King of Kashi, emperors of Vijayanagara, Vikramaditya of Ujjaini, and Kings of Swadi during their respective reigns , made land and other endowments to Swarnavalli Matha, protected the grants made by their predecessors , extended warm reception to the gurus. And later Tipu Sultan and British continued to honor the rich traditional heritage of the Matha.
It is noteworthy that Yativaryas (ascetics) of this Matha take to Sanyasa from the State of Brahmacharya (continence) only, i.e. they belong to and strictly observe the true tradition of Shri Adi Shankara. Further, they are known for their penance and devotion.
Poojas are offered to the deities, three times every day i.e. Trikaala Pooja in the morning, noon and in the evening, in Panchayatana method, as prescribed by Shri Shankaracharya. In addition to that Shri Ratnagarbha Ganapati, Shri Ganga Vishweshwara, Shri Vyasa Maharshi, Shri Shankaracharya, and the Samaadhis (vault) at Gurumoorthy Mandira (monuments) are offered Poojas as usual. The students of the Sanskrit Mahapathashala perform the mass recitation of the Vedic hymns, such as Namaka, Chamaka etc., at the time of Rudranbhisheka. A number of disciples, devotees, and tourists watch the Poojas, with devotion every day. Special Poojas are offered on festival days and in particular, the Navaratri (October) and Narasimha Jayanti (May) are a treat to watch. During Navratri, daily, Shree Chakra Pooja (Navaavarana Pooja) is performed twice and in addition Shata Rudra Parayana, Devi Bhagavata Parayna etc is performed daily during Navaratri.
The Disciples Of Shri Matha
The Havyaka Brahmins of Sirsi, Yellapur, Siddapur, Ankola, Soraba, Mundagod and Joida taluks of Uttara Kannada district.
Ramakshatriyas in coastal region of Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.
Marathis, Sheeligas, Siddhis, Kunabis , Goulis and Bhandaris of Uttara Kannada.
Apart from these traditional disciples, followers or disciples of Shri Swarnavalli Matha are spread across many different parts of India.
All the sections/communities, of the society participate with equal zeal and honor, in the activities of the Shrimatha. It is very interesting to note that the Muslim community people assemble the Ratha (chariot) with devotion, for the annual Rathotsava of Shri Laxmi Narasimha. Teertha and Prasada are given, by Swamiji to devotees/tourists/disciples from all communities, without discrimination.