Madhwa seers and their Brindavana

There are 28 Madhwa mathas and all of them trace their origin to Madhwacharya. All the mathas have a common lineage till some seers after which they were divided.

I have tried to compile a list of some of the major mathas and the places where the seers of these mathas entered Brindavana. Let me start with Uttaradhi Matha for the sake of convenience.

The founder of the Madhwa parampare is Madhwacharya. He was born at Pajaka Kshetra near Udupi and he disappeared from view on Magha Shudha Navami while giving a discourse on Upanishads from the Anantheshwara Temple in Udupi.

The Uttaradhi Matha seers who entered Brindavana are as follows. I have classified them as names, day of entering Brindavana and place:

1 Padmanabha Theertha- Nava Brindavana, Hampi - Kartika bahula chaturdashi.

2 Narahari Theertha- Chakratheertha, Hampi- Pushya bahula saptami

3 Madhava Theertha-Mannur, Bhadrapada bahula amavaasya

4 Akshobhya Theertha- Malkhed, Margashira krishna panchami

5 Jaya Theertha -Malkhed -Ashada bahula panchami

6 Vidyadhiraja Theertha -Puri, Orissa-Vaishakha shuda tritiya

7 Kavindra Theertha- Nava Brindavana- Chaitra shudha saptami.

8 Vageesha Theertha- Nava Brindavana -Chaitra bahula tritiya

9 Ramachandra Theertha-Yaragol- Vaishakha shuda shasti

10 Vidyanidhi Theertha- Yaragol- Kartika bahula chaturdashi

11 Raghunatha Theertha-Malkhed -Margashira krishna pratipada

12 Raghuvarya Theertha- Nava Brindavana -Jeshta bahula tritiya

13Raghuttama Theertha- Tirukoilur- Pushya shuda ekadashi

14 Vedavyasa Theertha- Penakonda, Chaitra shuda tritiya

15 Vidyadheesha Theertha-Ekachakranagar -Pushya bahula chaturdashi

16 Vedanidhi Theertha- Panadrapur- Kartika shuda ekadashi

17 Satyavrata Theertha- Sangli- Phalguna shuda shasti

18 Satyanidhi Theertha- Kurnool- Margashira shuda dwadashi

19 Satyanatha Theertha- Veeracholapuram, Margashira shuda ekadashi

20 Satyabhinava Theertha- Nachirkoil, Jeshta shuda chaturdashi

21 Satyapurna Theertha- Kolhapur-Jeshta bahula tritiya

22 Satyavijaya Teertha -Arani- Chaithra bahula ekadashi

23 Satyapriya Theertha- Mana Madurai, Chaitra shuda traiodishi

24 Satyabodha Theertha- Savanur, Phalguna krishna pratipada

25 Satyasandha Teertha- Mahisi Jeshta shuda dwithiya

26 Satyavara Theertha- Santhebidanoor - Shravana shuda saptami

27 Satyadharma Theertha-Holehonnur, Shravana krishna traiodishi

28 Satyasankalpa Theertha-Mysore- Ashada shuda poornima

29 Satyasantushata Theertha- Mysore -Phalguna bahula amavasya

30Satyaparayana Theertha- Santhebidanoor, Karnataka-ashwija shuda saptami

31 Satyakaama Theertha-Athkur, Karnataka- Pushya Bahula Shashti

32 Satyeshata Theertha- Athkur- Bhadrapada Shuda Ekadashi

33 Satyaparakrama Theertha- Chitthapur Ashwija Shuda Ashtami

34 Satyaveera Theertha- Korlahalli - Kartika Shudha Dwadashi

35 Satyadheera Theertha-Athkur -Jeshtha Bahula Navami

36 Satyajnana Theertha- Rajamundry- Magha Shuda Ekadashi

37 Satyadhyana Theertha- Pandrapur- Chaitra shuda ashtami

38 Satyaprajna Theertha- Athkur- Chaithra shuda tritiya

39 Satyabhijna Theertha- Ranebennur, - Pushya bahula ashtami

40 Satyapramoda Theertha- Irukoilur- Kartika shudha tadige

41Satyatma Theertha  is the present pontiff  of the Uttaradhi Matha.

The next Matha and its seers is the Raghavendra Swamy Matha. Even here, the parampare is same till Ramachandra Theertha. He gave deekshe first to Vibhudendra Theertha and then to Vidyanidhi Theertha. This is the second break of the Madhwa Matha.

Vibhudendra Theertha goes on to found the Sri Matha at Kumbokanam which subsequently came to known was Raghavendra or Rayaru Matha.

So let me start with Vibhudendra Theertha.

    

1  Vibhudendra Theertha- Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu- Margha navami

2 Jitamitra Theertha-Jitamitra Gadde, near Raichur-Marghashira amavyasa

3 Raghunanda Theertha- Hampi-Karthika ashtami

4  Surendra Theertha-Madera- Pushya Sudha dwadeshi

5 Vijendra Theertha – Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu- Jesta triodashi

6 Sudheendra Theertha- Nava Brindavana- Phalguna dwithiya

7 Raghavendra Theertha –Mantralaya, Shravana krishna dwithiya

8 Yogendra Theertha-Srirangam, Magha shuda dashami

9 Surendra Theerta-Madurai, Jesta shuda dwithiya

10 Sumateendra Theertha- Srirangam, Ashwini bahula saptami

11 Upendra Theertha- Srirangam- Margha ashtami

12 Vadeendra Theertha-Mantralaya- Jeshta shuda navami

13 Vasudeendra Theertha-Kanchangudu-Ashwini saptami

14 Varadendra Theertha- Pune, Ashada Shuda Shasti

15 Direndra Theertha- Hosarati-Phalguna shuda traiodashi

16 Bhuvendra Theertha-Rajavilli- Vaishaka bahula saptami

17 Shubadendra Theertha -Nanjangud –Chaitra bahula trithiya

18 Sujanendra Theertha-Tiruthani-Karthika aastami

19 Sugjanendra Theertha-Najangud –Shravana chaturthi

20 Sudharmendra Theertha-Mantralaya-pushya panchami

21 Sugunendra Theertha- Chitoor, Margha shuda poornima

22 Supragnandra Theertha-Nanjangud, Margha shasti

23 Sukratheendra Theertha-Nanjangud –Ashwini dashami

24 Susheelendra Theertha- Hosarati-Ashada shuda tritiya

25 Suvratheendra Theertha- Mantralaya-Vaishaka shuda dwadashi

26 Suyamendra Theertha-Mantralaya- Pushya shuda dwithia

27 Sujayeendra Thertha-Mantralaya-Magha chaturthi

28 Sushmeendra Theertha –Mantralaya-

29-Suyatendra Theerta-the present pontiff

The parampara of Sri Vyasaraja matha

Here too the parampare is the same as the Uttaradhi Matha till Vidyadhiraja Theertha. He gives Deekshe to two disciples-Vageehsa Theerta who continues the Uttaradhi Matha tradition and Rajendra Theertha who sets up the Sri Matha at Sosale which later came to be known as Sosale Vyasaraja Matha. This is the first  break in the Madhwa pontificate.

1 Rajendra Theertha-Yaragola- Vaishaka shuda poornima

2 Jayadwaja Theertha-Yaragola- Karthika shuda poornima

3 Purushottama Theertha-disappeared into a cave near Abbur,  Chaitra shuda prathipada

4 Bramanye Theertha- Abbur- Vaishaka bahula dwadashi

5 Vyasa Raja-Nava Brindavana- Phalguna bahula chaturthi

6 Srinivasa Theertha-Nava Brindavana-Vaishaka bahula panchami

7 Rama Theertha - Nava Brindavana –Awijitha shuda chaturdashi

8 Lakshmikanta Theertha-Penukonda, Shravana shuda saptami

9 Sripathi Theertha-Vellore- Ashada shuda dwadeshi

10 Ramachandra Theertha-Vellore- Marghashira shuda trithiya

11 Lakshmivallabha Theertha- Vellore-Pushya shuda panchami

12  Lakshminatha Theertha- Srirangam,  Shravana, shuda dwadashi

13 Lakshmipathi Theertha- Srirangam, Karthika shuda  ekadashi

14 Lakshminarayana Theertha-Badarikshrama, Karthika shuda triyodashi

15 Raghunatha Theetha-Malladalu, Ashada shuda chaturthi

16 Jagannatha Theertha-Kumbakonam,

17 Srinatha Theertha- Pushya shuda chaturthi

18 Vidyanatha Theertha- Kumbakonam,Vaishaka shuda ekadashi

19 Vidyapathi Theertha- Kumbakonam, Vaishaka shuda chaturthi

20 VidyavallabhaTheertha- Mukkudalu, Margashira shuda navami

21 Vidyakantha Theertha- Sosale, Jesta shuda navami

22 Vidyanidhi Teertha- Sosale, Ashada, bahula ekadashi

23 Vidyapoorna Theertha-Sosale, Shravana shuda shasti

24 Vidya  SrisindhuTheertha-Sosale, Ashada shuda aastami

25 Vidya Sreedhara Theertha- Srirangam, Chaitra bahula, chaturdashi

26 Vidya Srinivasa Theertha- Sosale, Vaishaka shuda chaturthi

27 Vidya Samudra Theertha-Sosale, Karthika shuda dwithiya

28 Vidya Ratnakara Theertha-Sosale, Vaishaka bahula navami

29 Vidyavaritha Theertha – Srirangam, Bhadrapada, bahula panchami

30 Vidya Prasanna Theertha-Sosale,  Margashira shuda poornima

31 Vidya Payonidhi Theertha- Mukkadalu

32 Vidya Vachaspathi Theertha-Sosale

33 Vidya Manohara Theertha is the present pontiff

The parampara of Sripadaraja matha

1 Madhwachayra-Udupi, Magha shuda navami

2 Padmanabha Theertha- Nava Brindavana

3 Lakshmidhara Theertha

4 Sankarshana Theertha- Srirangam-

5 Parashurama Theertha-Srirangam-

6 Aadhiraja  Theertha-Srirangam-

7 Satyavrata Theertha-Srirangam-

8 Swarnavarana Theertha-Srirangam-

9 Sripadaraja- Mulabagal, Jeshta shuda chaturdashi

10 Hayagriva Theertha- Mulabagal- Karthika shuda pournima

11Sripathi Theertha- Vaishaka bahula panchami

12Sridhara Theertha-Mulabagal, Ashwayuja shuda chaturdashi

13Gopalaswamy Theertha-Mulabagal, Shravana shuda poornima

14Uddanda Ramachandra Theertha-Penukonda,

15Raghunatha Theertha-Yeragamballi, Ashada Shuda panchami

16Lakshmi Manohara Theertha- Erode, Pushya shuda poornima

17Lakshmipathi Theertha- Ashada shuda dwadashi

18Lakshaminatha Theertha-Abbur, Vaishakha shuda poornima

19Lalshmikantha Theertha-Davangere, Jesta shuda chaturdashi

20Srikantha Theertha- Nangli, Magha bahula amavasya

21Srinidhi Theertha- Erode, Ashwayuja bahula sapthami

22Tejonidhi Theertha-

23Yoganidhi Theertha-

24Vidyanidhi Theertha-Erode, Vaishakha shuda padya

25Gnananidhi Theertha-Srirangapatna,

26Gunanidhi Theertha, Matturpuram, Magha bahula sapthami

27Gunasaranidhi Theertha- Mulabagal, Pushya shuda dashami

28Pragnanidhi Theertha-Mulabagal, Chitra shuda dashami

29Subodhanidhi Theertha- Mulabagal, Ashada bahula chaturadashi

30Vairagyanidhi Theertha- Mulabagal, Ashada shuda saptami

31Sugyananidhi Theertha-Mulabagal, Phaluguna shuda poornima

32Sugunanidhi Theertha-Bhavani,

33Sudhinidhi Theertha-Erode,  phaluguna bahula ashtami

34Medhanidhi Theertha-Erode, karthika amavasya

35Dayanidhi Theertha- Mulabagal, Margashira shuda trayodashi

36Satyanidhi Theertha-Mulabagal, Ashada bahula shashti

37Vijayanidhi Theertha-Mulabagal, Phalguna bahula dwitiya

38Vigyananidhi Theertha is the present pontiff

The parampara of  Palimar matha

1 Hrishikesha Theertha- Kashi, Magha Shuda Saptami

2 Samaatmesha Theertha- Krishnateera, Shravana Shuda Dwithiya

3 Sambhava Theertha- Ayodhya, Vaishakha Shuda Panchami

4 Aparajitha Theertha -Godavari - Magha Shuda Saptami

5Vidyamurthi Theertha –Rameshwaram, Vaishakha krishna astami

6 Srinidhi Theertha -Jagannatha Puri, Ashada shuda shasti

7 Vidaisha Theertha- Godavari, Shravana krishna saptami

8 Vallaba Theertha-Kashi, Pushya shuda pratipadha

9 Jagadbhushana Theertha- Palimaru, Chaitra shuda dwadasi

10 Ramachandra Theertha –Palimar, Kartika krishna chaturdashi.

11 Vidyanidhi Theertha- Palimaru, Vaishakha shuda pournima

12 Suresha Theertha-Palimaru, Jeshta krishna panchami

13 Raghavendra Theertha-Ubaya Magha shuda, ashtami

14 Raghunandana Theertha –Palimaru, Bhadrapada shuda Navami

15 Vidyapati Theertha-Godavari, Vaishakha shuda saptami

16 Raghupati Theertha-Kashi, Jeshta krishna dwitiya

17 Raghunatha Theertha-Ayodhya, Chaitra shuda navami

18 Raghutthama Theertha- Palimaru, Magha shuda panchami

19 Ramabhadra Theertha-Palimaru, Ashwija shuda pournima

20 Raghuvarya Theertha- Palimaru, Magha shuda shashti

21 Raghupungha Theertha-Palimaru, Ashada krishna

22 Raghuvara Theertha- Palimaru, Ashwija shuda saptami

23 Raghupraveera Theertha –Udupi, Shravana krishna dwithiya

24 Raghubhushana Theertha-Udupi, Ashada krishna tritiya

25 Raghuratna Theertha-Kantavara,Vaishakha shuda chaturdashi.

26 Raghupriya Theertha-Palimaru, Chaitra shuda panchami

27 Raghumanya Theertha-Ghatikachala, Margashira shuda pratipada

28 Vidyamanya Theertha-Palimaru, Vaishakha shuda ekadashi

29 Vidyadeesha Theertha is the present pontiff

The parampara of Adamar matha

1 Narashima Theertha-Bhageerathi, Chaitra shuda panchami

2 Kamaleksha Theertha -Bhageerathi, Magha shuda dwadasi

3. Shri Ramachandra Theertha-Ayodhya, Vaishakha shuda pournima

4 Vidydeesha Theertha- Dwaraka, Pushya shuda pournima

5Vishwapati Theertha- Godavari, Jeshta shuda dashami

6 Vishwesha Theertha -Vrindavana,Jeshta shuda tritiya

7Vedanidhi Theertha-Moolakaveri, Jyeshta shuda panchami

8Vedaraja Theertha-Ramasetu. Kartika krishna dwithiya

9Vidyamurthi Theertha- Nammatuvi, Bhadrapada krishna panchami

10 Vaikuntaraja Theertha- Theertharajapura, Bhadrapada krishna panchami

11Vishwaraja Theertha -Talakad matha, Chaitra krishna tritiya

12Vedagharba Theertha -Pajaka, Chaitra shuda dwadasi

13 Hiranyagharbha Theertha- Pajaka, Vaishakha shuda dwadasi

14 Vishwadeesha Teertha-Bhageerathi, Bhadrapada shuda panchami

15Vishwavallaba Theertha-Ramasetu, Pushya Shudha panchami

16Vishwendra Theertha Shurpali Jeshta krishna pratipada

17Vedapati Theertha- Dharmapuri, Vaishakha krishna amavaasya

18Vadeendra Theertha- Pajaka, Magha shudha tritiya

19Vidyapati Theertha-Udupi, Vaishakha shuda panchami

20Vibhudapati Teertha-Adamar, Kartika shuda dwadasi

21Vedavallaba Teertha- Bhageerathi, Margashira krishna tritiya

22Vedavandhya Theertha-Adamar, Phalguna krishna dasami

23Videshya Theertha- Udupi, Bhadrapada krishna dasami

24VibhudaVallabav Theertha- Udupi, Pushya krishna shasti

25 VibhudaVandhya Theertha- Adamar, Margashira krishna tritiya

26VibhudaVarya Theertha -Udupi,

27Vibhudendra Theertha- Udupi,  

28VibhudadiRaja Theertha- Adamar,

29VibhudaPriya Theertha-Ghatikachala,  

30Vibhuamanya Theertha-Adamar,

31Vibhudesha Theertha is the present pontiff

32Vishwapriya Theertha is the junior seer

The parampara of Puttige matha

1UpendraTheertha-Krishna river, Magha Shuda dwadasi

2 Kavindra Thheertha- Bhageerathi, Shravana shuda panchami

3 Hamsendra Theertha- Puttige, Phalguna shuda panchami

4 Yadavendra Theertha- Udupi, Chaitra shuda pratipada

5 Dharanidara Theertha-Kashi. Pushya krishna panchami

6 Damodara Theertha- Kashi,

7 Raghunatha Theertha- Udupi, Chaitra shuda panchami

8 Matsaanka Theertha- Rameshwara, Bhadrapada shuda saptami

9 Gopinatha Theertha -Vrindavana, Shravana krishna panchami

10Ranganatha Theertha- Udupi, Ashwija lrishna amavaasya

11Lokanatha Theertha- Godavari Teera, Ashwija Shudha Panchami

12 Ramanatha Theertha- Puttige, Chaitra krishna panchami

13Vallaba Theertha- Udupi, Vaishakha krishna amavaasya

14 Srinivasa Theertha- Udupi, Jyeshta shuda pratipada

15Shrinidhi Theertha- Udupi, Chaitra shuda panchami

16 Gunanidhi Theertha -

17 Anandanidhi Theertha-Puttige, Magha krishna panchami

18 Taponidhi Theertha-Teerthahalli, Magha krishna amavaasya

19 Yadavendra Theertha- Madallu, Chaitra krishna panchami

20 Kavindra Theertha -Puttige, Vaishakha shuda dasami

21 Raghavendra Theertha- Puttige, Ashada shuda pratipada

22 Vibhudhendra Theertha- Udupi, Jeshta shuda panchami

23Surendra Teertha- Nagapuri, Phalguna shuda dwadasi

24Bhuvanendra Theertha Teerthahalli Kartika shuda tritiya

25Yogendra Theertha- Udupi, Ashada shuda pratipada

26 Sumatindra Theertha Udupi -

27 Upendendra Theertha Udupi -

28 Sugnyanendra Theertha Udupi-

29 Sugunendra Theertha is the present pontiff

The parampara of Shirur matha

1 Vamana Theertha Ganga-Yamuna Sangam,

Vaishakha shuda dasami

2 Vaasudeva Theertha- Dwaraka, Magha shuda dwithiya

3 Punyasholka Theertha-Kumbakonam, Kartika shuda dwithiya

4. Shri Vedagamya Teertha- Tirunalveli, Chaitra shuda panchami

5 Vedavyasa Theertha-Tungabhadra, Pushya krishna panchami

6Vedavaidya Theertha- Gokarna, Phalguna krishna amavaasya

7 Mahesha Theertha-Godavari,Shravana shuda dwithiya

8 Krishna Theertha- Krishna teera, Margashira shuda dasami

9 Raghava Theertha-Netravati teera, Jeshta shudha panchami

10 Suresha Theertha- Bhageerathiteera, Vaishakha shuda Samptami

11Vedabhushana Theertha-Shivapura, Bhadrapada krishna tritiya

12 Srinivasa Theertha –Vekataadri, Ashwija shuda saptami

13 Vedaindhi Theertha- Shivapura, Pushya shuda panchami

14 Sridhara Theertha- Paavajengrama. Phalguna krishna dasami

15 Yadavotthama Theertha- Shivapura, Vaishakha shuda Trayodashi

16 Lakshminarayana Theertha-Kaveriteera, Kartika krishna panchami

17 Vishwabhushana Theertha-Shivapura, Shravana krishna trayodashi

18 Trilokyapavana Theertha- Malarimatta, Ashada krishna panchami

19 Laksmikantha Theertha- Nivrtha Sangama, Vaishakha krishna tritiya

20 Lakshminarayana Theertha- Udupi, Ashada shuda panchami

21Laksmipati Theertha- Udupi, Shravana krishna dasami

22Laksmidharati Theertha- Udupi, chaitra shuda dwithiya

23Laksmiramama Theertha- Udupi, Jeshta krishna panchami

24 Laksmimanohara Theertha Udupi-

25Laksmipriya Theertha- Udupi-

26Laksmivallaba Theertha- Udupi-

27Laksmisamudra Theertha- Udupi-

28Laksmindra Theertha- Udupi-

29 Laksmivara Theertha is the present pontiff

The  parampara of Krishnapur matha

1 Janardhana Theertha- Prayag, Vaishakha shuda dwadasi

2 Shrimathsanka Theertha- Prayag, Kartika krishna panchami

3 Vageesha Theertha- Brahmavara, Margashira shuda navami

4 Lokesha Theertha- Krishnateera, Ashada shuda ashtami

5 Lokanatha Theertha- Haridwara, Margashira krishna shasti

6 Lokapujya Theertha- Rutimatikatti, Ashwija shuda ashtami

7 VidhyadhirajaTheertha-Varahiteera, Kartika shuda ashtami

8 Vishwadhiraja Theertha Jagannatha-

9 Vishwadeesha Theertha Kaveri teera -

10Visheshwa Theertha-Ramasetu, Ashada shudha tritiya

11Vishwavandhya Theertha-Kasi, Shravana shudha shasti

12 Vishwaraja Theertha-Netravati teera, Ashwija krishna amavaasya

13Dharanidhara Theertha-Shukthimathiteera, Vaishakha krishna amavaasya

14 Dharaadhara Theertha-Prabhasa, Vaishakha shudha navami

15 Pragnyanamurthi Theertha-Shukthimathiteera, Magha krishna tritiya

16 Tapomurthi Theertha-Neramballi, Phalguna krishna panchami

17 Sureshwara Theertha-Krishnateera, Chaitra shuda dwithiya

18 Jagannatha Theertha- Prayag,vaishakha shuda samptami

19 Suresha Theertha-Gandaki teera, Ashada shuda tritiya

20 Vishwapunga Theertha-Gandaki teera, Kartika shuda dasami

21Vishwavallaba Theertha- Gandaki teera, Margashira krishna amavaasya

22 Vishwabhushana Theertha -Neramballi, Kartika shuda ashtami

23Yadavendra Theertha-Rameshwara, Phalguna krishna dasami

24 Pragnyanamurthi Theertha -Vishwanatha, Magha krishna navami

25 Vidhyadhiraja Theertha- Godavari teera, Vaishakha krishna panchami

26Vidyamurthi Theertha-Bailu pejawara, Bhadrapada shuda ashtami

27 Vidyavallaba Theertha -Bailu pejawara, Bhadrapada shuda saptami

28 Vidyendra Theertha-Ganga-Yamuna Sangam,

Bhadrapada shuda pratipada

29 Vidyanidhi Theertha -Krishna teera, Bhadrapada shuda navami

30 Vidyasamudra Theertha-Krishna teera, Magha shuda navami

31 Vidyapati Theertha-Udupi, Phalguna krishna chathurthi

32Vidyadeesha Theertha-Bangalore, Jeshta Krishna Ekadashi

33 Vidyapoorna Theertha- Udupi,Phalguna krishna pratipada

34 Vidyaratna Theertha Peramballi-

35 Vidyasagara Theertha is the present pontiff

The parampara of Sri Sode matha

1 Vishnu Theertha-Kumaraparvata,Rohana margashira krishna trayodashi

2 Vedavyasa Theertha- Vaishakha shudha chathurthi

3 Vedhya Theertha

4 Agharba Theertha- Phalguna krishna panchami

5 Varesha Theertha-

6Vamana Theertha - Magha shuda pratipada

7Vasudeva Theertha-Shravana shuda shasti

8Vedavyasa Theertha- Ashwija shuda chathurthi

9Varaha Theertha- Vaishakha shuda chathurthi

10Vedatma Theertha -

11Vishwavandya Theertha - Jeshta Sudha dasami

12Ratnagharba Theertha - Magha Panchami

13Vedanga Theertha- Bilagi, Pushya shuda ashtami

14Vidyapati Teertha - Bhadrapada shuda panchami

15Vishwavandya Theertha- Jeshta krishna amavaasya

16Vishwa Teertha -

17Vittalla Theertha - Ashwija shuda panchami

18 Varadaraja Theertha- Kumbasi, Kartika shuda ashtami

19 Vageesha Theertha-Udupi, Magha shuda dasami

20 Vadiraja Theertha-Sonda, Phalguna krishna tritiya

21 Vedavedya Teertha Sonda Ashwija Shudha Dwithiya

22VidyanidhiTeertha- Kumbasi, Vaishakha Krishna Dasami

23Vedanidhi Teertha -Sonda, Phalguna Krishna Chaturdashi.

24Varadaraja Teertha- Teerthahalli, Jyeshta Krishna Chaturdashi.

25Vishwadhirajendra Theertha-Sonda, Phalguna krishna ashtami

26 Vadivandhya Theertha- Sonda, Ashwija Shudha Shashti

27 Vishwavandya Theertha –Udupi, Kartika Krishna Chathurthi

28 Vibhudhavarya Theertha- Udupi, Margashira Shudha Panchami

29 Vishwanidhi Theertha- Undaru, Margashira shuda tritiya

30Vishwadhishwara Theertha-Undaru, Pushya shuda trayodashi

31Vishwesha Theertha-Kenchagaru, Magha krishna trayodashi

32 Vishwapriya Theertha-Udupi, ashada krishna amavaasya

33Vishwadhisha Theertha-Udupi, Ashada krishna amavaasya

34Vishwendra Theertha-Udyavara, Ashwija shudha navami

35 Vishwotthama Theertha

36 Vishwa Vallabha Theertha is the present pontiff

The parampara of  Pejawar matha

1Adhokshaja Theertha-Dhanushkoti, Magha shuda samptami

2 Kamalaksha Theertha-Bhageerathi, Kartika shuda panchami

3Pushkaraksha Theertha - Pushya shuda pratipada

4 Amarendra Theertha-Moolakaveri, Phalguna shuda Navami

5Vijaya Teertha -Vrindavana, Jeshta krishna dasami

6Mahendra Teertha- Godavari

7 Vijayadwaja Theertha-Kanva teertha,Vaishakha shuda dwadasi

8 Uttama Teertha-

9 Chintamani Theertha-Kanva teertha, Jeshta shuda panchami

10 Damodara Theertha -Udupi, Bhadrapada krishna chaturdashi.

11Vasudeva Theertha- Bhageerathi, Kartika shuda pournima

12Vadeendra Theertha- Moolakaveri, Pushya shuda dasami

13Vedagharba Theertha –Vrindavana, Ashwija shuda pournima

14Anupragnya Theertha -Jagannath, Jyeshta krishna panchami

15Vishwapragnya Theertha-Tryambak, Shravana krishna saptami

16 Vishwesha Theertha-Proshti, Jeshta krishna navami

17Vishwabhushana Theertha- Ramanathapura, Kartika krishna panchami

18Vishwavandhya Theertha-Kudli, Magha shuda chaturdashi.

19Vidyaraja Theertha-Srirangam, Phalguna shuda panchami

20Vishwamurthi Theertha -Pejawar, Pushya shudha dwadasi

21 Vishwapati Theertha- Vaishakha shuda dwithiya

22 Vishwanidhi Theertha- Pejawar, Phalguna shuda samptami

23 Vishwadeesha Theertha- Udupi, Kartika shuda dasami

24 VishwaDheeraja Teertha- Udupi, Jyeshta Shudha DWITIYA

25VishwaBhoda Teertha- Pejawar, Ashada Krishna Chathurthi

26 Vishwavallaba Theertha- Mulabagal, Phalguna krishna chaturdashi.

27 Vishwapriya Theertha

28Vishwavarya Theertha-Peranamkila-

29 Vishwaraja Theertha-Peranamkila-

30Vishwamanohara Theertha- Peranamkila-

31Vishwagnya Theertha Udupi-

32 Vishwamanya Theertha-Kanva Teertha-

33VishweshaTheertha is the present pontiff

The parampara of Kaniyoor matha

1 Rama Theertha-Himatkitara, Magha krishna panchami

2 Raghunatha Theertha- Bhagirati, Chaitra Shudha Panchami

3 Raghupati Theertha-Tryambak,Vaishakha krishna yrayodashi

4 Raghunanadana Theertha-Moolakaveri, Magha shuda Tritiya

5 Yadunandana Theertha-Dakshina rameshwara, Phalguna krishna dashami

6 Vishwatma Teertha-

7 Vishwanatha Theertha-Dwaraka, Kartika shuda panchami

8 Vedagharba Theertha-Tungabhadra, Pushya shuda Pournima

9 Vageesha Theertha-Ganga bhagirati, Magha hsuda pratipada

10Varadapati Theertha- Puri, Magha krishna panchami

11Vishwapati Thertha-Kurukshetra, Kartika shuda chaturdashi.

12Vishwamurthi Theertha-Moolakaveri, Kartika shuda ashtami

13Vedapati Theertha-Krishnakshetra, Magha shuda Dwithiya

14 Vedaraja Theertha- Godavari, Shravana krishna navami

15 Vidyadeesha Theertha-Balyamatha, Chaitra shuda panchami

16 Vibhudhesha Theertha- Mannargudi, Magha krishna dashami

17 Varijaksha Theertha- Vaishakha shuda panchami

18 Vishwendra Theertha- Kaniyoor, Magha krishna dasami

19Vibhudhavandya Theertha-Kaniyoor, Magha Shuda pratipada

20Vibhudhadhiraja Teertha-Kanioor, Chaitra krishna panchami

21 Vidyaraja Teertha- Kaniyuru, Margashira krishna shasti

22 Vibhudapriya Teertha- Udupi, Ashada Shudha Dwadasi

23 Vidyasagara Teertha Udupi

24 Vasudeva Teertha Udupi

25 Vidyapati Teertha Udupi

26 Vamana Teertha

27 Vidyanidhi Teertha Udupi

28 Vidyasamudra Teertha Udupi

29 Vidyavarinidhi Teertha Udupi

30 VidyaVallabaTeertha Present pontiff

The parampara of Subrahmanya matha

1 Vishnu Theertha- Kumaraparvata

2 Aniruddha Theertha- Samputa Matha

3 Varaaha Theertha - Samputa Matha

4 Vaageesha Theertha - Samputa Matha

5 Vishwesha Theertha - Samputa Matha

6 Venkatesha Theertha - Samputa Matha

7 Vakyadheesha Theertha- Hampi

8 Vidyaapathi Theertha Janardana

9 Vaasudeva Theertha Kashi

10 Vaamana Theertha Udupi Balaghatta Matha

11 Vedavyaasa Theertha Prayaga

12 Vaikuntavallabha Theertha Puri Jagannatha

13 Vijnaana Theertha Puttur Aladkalu

14 Vimalathma Theertha Balpadagundaje

15 Vibhudhesha Theertha Ramanathapura

16 Vedagarbha Theertha Mannarugudi

17 Vedapoojya Theertha Kaayambadi

18 Vedesha Theertha Rameshwaram

19 Vidyaadhiraaja Theertha Nagara

20 Varadaraaja Theertha -Samputa Matha

21 Varadesha Theertha -Samputa Matha

22 Vidyaanidhi Theertha- Samputa Matha

23 Vedaanthanidhi Theertha -Samputa Matha

24 Vidyaadhipathi Theertha- Samputa Matha

25Vishwapooja Theertha-Udupi

26Vishwavanddya Theertha-Bhandya

27Vishwaadhipathi Theertha -Samputa Matha

28Vishwapathi Theertha Nagar

29Vishwaadheesha Theertha-Samputa Matha

30Vidhyadheesha Theertha Ananthashayana

31Vidhyaavallabha Theertha Pundyooru

32Vedaraaja Theertha - Samputa Matha

33Vidyaaraaja Theertha- Samputa Matha

34 Vidyaapoorna Theertha- Samputa Matha

35 Vyasa Theertha-Padamunnuru

36 Vishwaanja Theertha- Samputa Matha

37 Vidyaasindhu Theertha -Samputa Matha

38Vidhyabhooshana Theertha

39Vidyaaprasanna Theertha is the present pontiff

The parampara of Kudli Matha

The Madhwa line continues till Akshobya Theertha. It is from here that the Matha gets another parampare.

1 Trailokya Bhushana Theertha- Kudli, Chaitra shuda dwadashi

2 Lokavanditha Bhushana Theertha-Kudli, Vaishaka shuda dwadashi

3 Sulubha Theertha-Kudli, Jeshta bahula amavasye

4 Raghupungava Theertha- Harihar, Karnataka- Ashada bahula panchami

5 Ragunatha Theertha- Kudli- Shravana shuda hunime

6 Raguvarya Theertha- Hampi -Ashvija shuda dwadashi

7 Vidyanidhi Theertha- Hampi -Vaishaka shuda dwadashi

8 Raghupathi Theertha- Pushya bahula shasti

9 Narayana Theertha-Mayagundi, Magha shuda Bidige

10Mukunda Theertha, Ashvija shuda saptami

11 Raghupathi Theertha, Margashira shuda dashami

12 Ramachandra Theertha, Chaitra shuda saptami

13 Ragottama Theertha, Shravana bahula ashtami

14 Ragottama Theertha- Kudli -Phalguna shuda hunime

15 Ragupathi Theertha-Kudli- Jeshta shuda dwadashi

16 Ramachandra Theertha- Kudli-Ashada Bahula Tadige

17 Rama Theertha-Navooru, Dakshina Kannada-

Margashira Bahula Tadige

18 Raghuvarya Theertha- Kudli -Margashira Bahula Padya

19 Raghuvallabha Theertha- Kudli- Vaishaka Bahula Tadige

20 Raghupriya Theertha- Kudli- Ashweja Shudha Tadige

21 Raghuvara Theertha- Kudli -Vaishaka bahula Tadige

22 Ragottama Theertha -Kudli- Bhadrapada bahula padya

23 Raghushanta Theertha- Kudli- Pushya bahula chaturdashi

24 Ragukantha Theertha -Malkhed -Jeshta bahula shasti

25 Raghudanta Theertha- Kudli-Badrapada shuda saptami

26 Raghuveera Theertha- Kudli- Margashira shuda tadige

27 Ramadhyana Theertha- Kudli- Badrapada bahula

ekadashi

28 Raghupramathi Theertha-Kudli -Pushya bahula shasti

29 Raghupriya Theertha is the present pontiff

30 Raghuvijaya Theertha is the junior pontiff

Ashoka and the Temple of Chandralamba

I studied in Karnataka University Dharwad and one of my classmates was from Gulbarga. Karnataka University when I studied included colleges in Gulbarga and Bidar districts.

Both my friend and I were part of the University cricket team and on one of the matches, we had to play in Gulbarga.

Though the match was played over three days, I stayed back with my friend for a few more days. It was during these free days that I went around the towns and cities I visited and read up the history of the place. This habit of mine earned the ire of the head of department and my parents were summoned and told about the shortage of attendance.

Well, back to the story of Gulbarga. My friend took me to the temple of Chandralamba in Sannati. He told me that the temple is as famous as the other ruins in the small village.

Sannati is located between Yadgir and Kanaganahalli and it stands on the banks of the Bheema river. Till the 1990s the only place of interest in the village of Sannati was the temple of Chandralamba and a few other temples.

An unusual event changed the face of the village forever and earned it worldwide attention.  The roof of the Chandralamba Temple collapsed in 1986 and a part of it fell on the idol. When the idol and other places in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple were being cleaned up, the pedestal on which the idol of Chandralamba stood had some carvings.

When the pedestal was removed from the place and examined, it was found to contain inscriptions in Prakrit written in Brahmi script.

Epigraphists were stunned to know that it was an Ashokan inscription. One of the panels, discovered subsequently, had a carving of Ashoka seated on a throne. This is perhaps the only pictorial representation of India’s greatest Emperor.

I saw both the pictorial representation and the Ashokan edict. The edict is at the entrance of the ruins near the temple and it speaks about religious tolerance. The pictorial representation talks of Raya Ashoka.

Further excavations by archaeologists led to the unearthing of  the remnants of a huge stupa called Maha Stupa believed to have been constructed by Ashoka. The Stupa and other Buddhist remains are more than 2000 years old.

Historians say after Ashoka, the stupa was renovated and maintained by the Sathavahana emperors. Centuries later, the stupa came to be destroyed and many materials were used in the construction of other buildings in the area. This perhaps explains why the pedestal was a Buddhist epigraph,          

The site where the stupa stood still being excavated. As of now, it has yielded a lot of artifacts dating to the period of Ashoka and other Maurayan emperors. Many of the inscriptions and edicts discovered here are now housed in the Gulbarga museum.

The entire area of the Maha Stupa and other Buddhist buildings covered more than 210 acres. Only a few acres have bee excavated till now. The entire area is now called Ranamandala.

I then turned my attention back to the 800 year old Chandralamba Temple which is situated at the bend of the Bheema river.

It is circular in shape and dedicated to a devi who is believed to be an incarnation of Lakshmi. This temple is unique as it is built in the Kerala style of architecture. 

The courtyard of the temple is huge and it can easily accommodate 2,000 people at one time.

The priest there told me an interesting legend of Chandralamba. A King of the area, Rajasena, had a beautiful daughter called Chandrala. The King organised a Swayamavara for Chandrala Many process came in the hope of winning the hand of the beautiful princess. The king said he would give the hand of his daughter to the Prince who passed a test.

The test was this. The princes would have to look into the reflection of water and shoot down a pillar. No prince could complete the task.

This worried Rajasena and he prayed to the Gods. One night, a Goddess came in his dreams and told him that a person called Narayana Muni would come and succeed in the challenge.

Narayana came, saw and conquered both the pillar and the princess. They were married and when they left the area, Sethu Raya saw Chandrala and fell in love. While Chandrala ran into the Someshwara temple to escape the evil designs of  Raya, her husband went to Hingula in Afganisthan to seek the blessings of Goddess Hingulambike, an incarnation of  Lakshmi.

The Goddess agreed to help Narayana but put forth a condition. Do not turn around and see if I am following you, she warned. Narayana agreed and both of them began their journey from North to South.

Narayana always took care not to see back. He heard the sound of the anklets worn by the Goddess. When they both reached Shahabad, he failed to hear the sound of anklets Alarmed, he turned back and The Goddess turned inst stone.

When Narayana prayed to her to come to his rescue, the Goddess said she could not move further. However, she gave him a coconut and asked Narayana to break it near Sethu Raya’s palace.

Nartayana went to Sannati and broke the coconut. Bees came out of the coconut and attacked Sethu Raya, who ran screaming in fear from the palace. Finding no way to escape from the stinging bees, the king jumped into the Bheema only to drown.

Even today, you can see the Setu Raya Maduvu near the river. Well, to complete the story, Chandrala became one with God. She had gone into the Someshwara temple to do penance. This is the story of Chandralamba Temple.

Chandralamba is believed to be another incarnation of Lakshmi and she is the family deity of lakhs of Brahmin and Hindu families in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.

Sannati is also the place where Markendaya Rishi meditated and composed Markendaya Upanishads. I saw a small temple here where it is believed that Markendaya wrote parts of the Upanishads.

By the way, there is a small temple dedicated to Chandralamba in Hongunti. It is called Hongunti Hingulambike.      

Sannati is nearer to Hyderabad which is 231 kms than Bangalore. Yadgir in Gulbarga district is just 31 kms from Sannati. Gulbarga itself is 60 kms away. This place can be reached by train from Wadi junction or Nalwar station. You can also stay at Shahapur and drive down to Sannati.

Yeregol is also nearby. This is the place where Jaya Theertha or Teeka Char wrote all his commentaries in a cave. Malked, which has the Brindavana of Jaya Theertha and his guru, Akshoba Theerth and other Madhwa saints is also near.

The only known Chandralamba temple outside Sannati is in Jayanagar Bangalore. The temple founders are Dr. S. R. Rao, archaeologist, and his wife Kamala Rao. It is called Lakshmi Chandrala Parameshwari Temple and it was consecrated in June 1999.

It is located between 20 and 22nd Main, 32nd cross, 4th T Block, Jayanagar. There is a Ganesha and Shiva Temple next to the Chandralamba Temple. The Temple is off 18th Main bus stop. Ask for HOPCOPMS outlet or BBMP office if you are confused. The temple is behind these offices.  

Let me end the story with what happened after I returned to Dharwad. I wads called by the head of the department and reprimanded for being frequently absent from class. All play and no study is dangerous I was told. I was warned not to repeat such acts and allowed to take the examinations, much to the relief of my parents.  

The temple of Bedara Kanappa

It was a Sunday evening and I was watching television with my family. As I was surfing the channels, a melodious voice on a local Kannada channel stopped me from switching or surfing channels.

The song that was being aired was Shivappa Kaypo Thande and it was featured on Rajkumar in the film Bedara Kanappa.  The intensity of the song and the pathos left all of us in tears. All of continued to watch the film and we were amazed to know that both Rajkumar and comedian Narasimha Raju had made their debut in this 1954 film.

My mother was at hand to narrate the tale of Bedara Kannapa and all of us marveled at the manner in which Kannappa, the hunter, donated both his eyes to Shiva. The film directed by H L N Simha and written by G.V. Iyer as well as the tale told by my mother remained in my memory for long.

My family and I visited Tirupathi and one of my friends told me to visit Kalahasti, which is one of the sacred place for Shiva. I did not show much interest and said I would go if time permits. I perked up when he told me that I could also visit the Bedara Kanappa Temple which is at the foothills of Kalahasti.

I completed the darshan of Lord Venkateshwara twice in a day and, therefore, I had a say to spare. As I was in my own vehicle, transport was not a problem. I took my friend’s advice and drove to Kalahasti.

Kalahasti had been in the news after its main gopura constructed by the Vijayanagar emperor Krishna Deve Raya collapsed. I saw the heap of rubble on one side of the temple and it pained me that our generation had failed to protect even Gods property. When I went, officials from several Government departments of Andhra Pradesh were there and the blames game was on. Each one was blaming the other but himself  for the mishap.

I visited the Kalahasti shrine and made way to a much smaller and much less known shrine of Shiva which is better known as Kanappa Temple.  

Kannappa today has been elevated to the status of Nayanmars whichs is another name for Shaivite saints. There are 63 such saints or Nayanmars and they are all staunch devotees of Shiva.

Kannappa was born in the region of Kalahsati and he belonged to Kongu Vettuvagounders community. He was also known as Boya Tinnadu, Thinappan, Kannapan or Kanappa. Another name for him was Dheeran.

The actual birthplace of Kanappa is Udupuru, now called Vutukuru which is very near to Rajampet in Andhra Pradesh. He was a good hunter and he hunted animals in the surrounding forests. As was the custom of  his caste, he was a worshipper of the Linga.

When he had gone hunting around the forests of Kalahasti in Sripuram and Mummidicholapuram, he had once found a shivalinga. This linga was called Vayu linga but Kanappa did not how to worship it as per Hindu custom and tradition.

As he did not have any device-jug or mug for bringing water from the nearby Swarnamukhi river, he poured water into his mouth and walked to the linga and poured the water from his mouth over the linga. He also offered the linga whatever animal he had killed.

This was the daily routine of Kanappa and Shiva once decided to test his devotion. The rooftop of the Shivaling began to crumble and everyone fled from the temple, faring that the structure would collapse completely. Kanappa was unperturbed. He threw himself on the linga to prevent the roof from falling on the idol. People marvelled at his devotion and named him Dheera.

A few days later, Kanappa noticed that one eye of the linga was oozing blood and tears. Kanappa thought that the eye had been injured and realised that the only way to stop the flow of blood and tears was to pluck out an eye and place it on the linga. He decided to pluck out one of his own eyes and did so with an arrow. He then placed the eye on the injured eye of the linga.

Imagine Kanappa’s anxiety when the other eye too began to bleed and shed tears. Without thinking, Kanappa decided to gourge out his other eye. But there was a problem. He was already blind in one eye and if he plucked out his other eye, how could he place the eye exactly on the injured linga.

Kanappa then placed the toe of his  foot on the injured eye of the linga. He then took out his other eye and even as he was bleeding profusely, he placed it on the other eye of the linga.       

Moved by the  extreme devotion of his devotee,  Shiva appeared before Kanappa and  restored both his eyes. He called out to Kannapa saying “Nillu Kannapa” ("Stop Kannapa"). From that day on, he came to be known as Bedara (Hunter) Kanappa.

This shrine I saw of Bedara Kanappa is on the southern side of the hill where the Kalahasti Temple is located. The shrine here is called Kannabeshwara.

The priest of this temple told me that Kanappa was none other than Arjuna. He also told me the reason for Arjuna taking birth as a hunter. He said Arjuna had done penance at Indrakiladri Hill for obtaining the Pashupathi Astra. However, Arjuna failed to recognise Shiva when he came in the form of a hunter.  Arjuna had to be reborn as a hunter in another life to attain final Moksha.  

By the way, Bedara Kanappa wasoneof the nost successful films in Kannada. It was first staged as a play, produced by Gubbi Veeranna Nataka company before being filmed. All the songs in the film were a hit and they are sung even today. No wonder, it ran in cinemas for over hundred days.

Bedara Kanappa was dubbed in Telugu as Kalahasti Mahatyam and till date it remains the only non-Kannada film of Rajkumar, After my Tirupathi and Kalahasti visit, I saw the film once again.