Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham was established by Sri Adi Sankara in the year 482 B.C. (see About and History) and has the distinction of an unbroken line of 70 Acharyas (spiritual leaders). Kailas to Kanchi From available biographical information, it is learnt that Shankaracharya placed one of the five sphatika lingas got at Kailas, the…

Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri is the first and foremost of the four Peethams established by the renowned 8th century philosopher saint Sri Adi Shankara, the principal exponent of Advaita (non-dualism). The Divinity of Knowledge, Goddess Sharada, installed at Sringeri by Sri Adi Shankara, graces the Peetham as the presiding deity. Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati…

Govardhana matha is one of four cardinal institutions established by Adi Shankara (c. 8th century CE), the reviver of Vedic Sanatana Dharma. Shankara’s four principal disciples, Padma-Pada, Hasta-Malaka, Vartika-Kara and Totakacharya were assigned to these four learning centers in the north, south, east and west of India Padmapadacharya became the first leader of the matha. The matha has historical connections with the Jagannath temple, which…

The Dwaraka pīţha or Dwaraka maţha, also called Saradha Matha/Peeth and “western peeth”,[ is an ancient monastery situated in the coastal city of Dwaraka, Gujarat, India. It is one of the four cardinal mathas or seats of learning founded by Adi Shankara in 8th Century CE, and is the pascimāmnāya matha, or western matha. It…

Jyotirmath is the uttarāmnāya matha or northern monastery, one of the four cardinal institutions established by Adi Shankara, the others being those at Shringeri, Puriand Dwarka. Their heads are titled “Shankaracharya”. According to the tradition initiated by Adi Shankara, this matha is in charge of the Atharvaveda. Jyotirmath is close to the pilgrimage town of Badrinath. This place can be a base station…