Shrimad Jagadguru Shankaracharya

Shri Shri Gangadharendra Saraswati

Mahaswamiji Of Shri Sonda Swarnavalli Mahasamsthanam

Shri Sonda Swarnavalli Mahasamsthanam which belongs to Jagadguru Shankaracharya tradition, is situated on the bank of river Shalmala, at a distance 18 K.M.s from Sirsi of Uttara Kannada district in Karnataka. This sacred place is surrounded by beautiful sceneries like evergreen forests, hillocks, valleys, paddy fields, rivulets and a number of historical monuments.

Brief History :

It was originally founded at Dashashwamedha-Ghat at Varanasi. Authentic historical documents are available which focus light on the history of this Matha. In due course, the Matha was shifted from Kashi to Ujjaini, Gokarna, Kadatoke, Sahasralinga and the present Swarnavalli, successively. The disciples of the Matha are distributed in several places of coastal and Malnad area. Havyka Brahmins, Ramakshatriyas, Sheeligas, Siddis, Marathis, Goulis and Kunabis are the main disciples of the Matha alongwith a number of other followers all over the country. The Matha received patronage from the ruling Kings of Kashi, Vikramadiya of Ujjaini, Emperors of Vijayanagara and the King of Swadi. Later Tippu Sultan and British rulers also honoured the rich traditional heritage of Shrimatha. These rulers showed respect to the Matha by presenting lands and honorific articles. The Matha which is recognised as Shri Swarnavalli Mahasamsthanam, at present, has a continues tradition of 1200 Years.

Present Mahasamsthanam :

The Matha follows the non-dualism (Advaita) propounded by Adi Shankaracharya. Shri Laksminrisimha, Shri Rajarajeshwari (Shri Sharadamba), Shri Chandramouleeshwara, Shri Ratnagarbha Ganapati, Shri Ganga-Vishweshwara, Shri Vyasa Maharshi, Shri Shankaracharya and the Samaadhis (vault) of previous Acharyas at Gurumoorthy Mandira are the reigning Deities of the Matha. Thrikala Pooja (worshipping three times a day) in Panchayatana method is performed regularly. Apart from observation of the annual festivals connected with various Deities, Shri Shankara Jayanti, Shri Lakshminrisimha Jayanti and Sharannavaratri are celebrated here in a grand manner H.H. Swamigal (the head of this sacred religious seat) performs Shrichakra Aradhana ( Navavarana Pooja).

H.H. Shri Sarwajnendra Saraswati Mahaswamigal

H.H. Shri Sarwajnendra Saraswati Mahaswamigal was the 53rd Guru in this spiritual tradition. Shri Swamigal ruled this Peeta for more than seven decades. H.H. Swamigal devotedly performed Shri Chakra Pooja (Navavarana Pooja) continuously for fifty-five years. By his sheer devotion to the Goddess – Shri Lalitamba, he was known as Lalitacharanadaasa. H.H. Mahaswamigal has composed many devotionl poems on shri Rajarajeshwari. A poem entitled Yati Parichaya and a play by name Prahlada Charitam were written by him. He was equally known for his punctuality in performing the daily activtities.

H.H. Shri Gangadharendra Saraswati Mahaswamigal

The present, 54th pontiff shri Gangadharendra Saraswati Mahaswamigal ascended this holy seat with the divine blessings late Shri Sarwajnendra Saraswati Mahaswamigal. His holiness received initiation into Sanyasa from Shri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Shri Shri Jayendra Saraswati Mahaswamigal of Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, on 1st February 1991.

H.H. Swamigal is a brilliant scholar both in Sanskrit and Vedic literature. Being an extremely dynamic person, he diligently engages in meditation, worship and creating religious awareness among the disciples . Adhyayana and Adhyapana (Study and Teaching) are important aspects of his daily duties. He was deep concern towards the society and conservation of environment. He undertook “Bedthi March” to fight against the then proposed Bedthi & Aghanashini hydro-electic power projects. He also fought against other environmentally destructive project like Tadadi & Kaiga. He is renowned as “Green Swamiji” because of his great environmental concern. In recognition of this the Government of Karnataka has awarded him the prestigious “Parisara Shri-2011”

Now his Holiness is engaged in state level Bhagawdgita Campaign to build a healthy and moral society. He has founded may co-organisations of the Mahasamstanam with specific objectives.

This Swarnavalli Matha has developed in to a Sacred land of penance because of the divine presence of H.H. Swamigal and adored deities.

The administration of this Matha is managed by an administrative body under the able guidance of His Holiness. A magnificent building “Akshaya Bhavan” has been constructed recently. The present building of Matha is becoming too small to accommodate all the necessary offices and also the increasing number of devotees who come to the Matha. So His Holiness consented to renovate the building entirely to suit the present and future requirements.

Year Long functions were organized on the auspicious occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the Coronation of H.H. Shri Shri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Shri Shri Gangadharendra Saraswati Swamiji of Swarnavalli (from 24 February 2016 to 14 February 2017) at various places.

Social, Cultural, Agricultural, Medical, Education and Environmental programmes were organized along with religious rituals as part of this Silver Jubilee.

A Unique commemorative volume “Rajatvalli” covering all the historical details of Shri Sonda Swarnavalli Matha & its Sister Organizations along with the report of the Silver Jubilee Year was released on 5th February 2017 at Shri Sonda Matha.

The Newly constructed/ renovated building has been dedicated to God on 5th February 2017.

Shri Sonda Matha Office Telephone: 08384-279311/279359/292545
Web: swarnavalli.in/Swarnavallimatha.org
Email : info.swarnavalli@gmail.com