4 Major Mathas in 4 Regions of India – मठ
Matha ! मठ is a Sanskrit word and also refers to a monastery in Buddhism and Jainism. The matha tradition of Hinduism involved in education,support studies,culture and also the place where many new texts were composed.
Adi Shankara has established four major mathas or peethams in different regions of India. Here is the list of 4 Major Matha in India. आदि गुरु शंकराचार्य ने चारों दिशाओं में स्थापित किए थे मठ!
Govardhana Matha ! Govardhana Pitham, Odisha – Rig Veda ! जगन्नाथपुरी में गोवर्द्धन पीठ
Govardhana matha is located in the coastal city of Puri in Odisha and associated with the Lord Jagannath temple.
The Eastern part of the Indian subcontinent from Bihar to till Rajamundry and Orissa to Arunachal Pradesh, comes under this Math.
Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Karnataka – Yajur Veda ! रामेश्वरम् में शृंगेरी पीठ
Sringeri Sharada Peetha was established by Adi Shankara on the banks of the Tunga River in Chikkamagalur district in Karnataka.
Town of Sringeri is the site of the first Matha in India and one of the famous matha in Karnataka state along with Ramachandrapura Math.
Dwarka Sharada Peetham, Gujarat – Sama Veda ! द्वारिका में शारदा पीठ
Dwaraka Matha is also called as Saradha Matha is situated in the ancient coastal city of Dwaraka in Gujarat. It is one of the four cardinal mathas established by Adi Shankara and associated with Dwarakadheesh Temple.
Jyotir Math, Uttarakhand – Atharva Veda ! बद्रीकाश्रम में ज्योतिपीठ
Jyotir Math in Uttarakhand or Jyotir Pitha is located in a city with same name Jyotirmath in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
Other Famous Mathas in India – Mathas or Peethams
Kanchi Matha, Tamil Nadu
Kanchi matha is a Hindu religious center of Vedic learning in Kanchipuram of Tamil Nadu. The Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam is traditionally attributed to Adi Shankara and inside the complex of the Kamakshi temple in Kanchipuram.
Ashta Mathas of Udupi
Ashta Mathas of Udupi group of eight mathas or Hindu monasteries, situated in the temple town of Udupi and link with famous Udupi Krishna Temple in Karnataka.
Belur Math, West Bengal
Belur Math is founded by Swami Vivekananda and Ramakrishna temple at the Belur Math is designed to “celebrate the diversity of Indian Religions.
Kashi Math is located in Varanasi of Uttar Pradesh and a spiritual organisation followed by the Gaud Saraswat Brahmins.
Chitrapur Math in Karnataka is the central for the Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin.
- Gaudapadacharya Matha, Goa
- Madhva Mathas
- Ahobila Matha at Ahobilam
- Ramachandrapura Math, Karnataka
Mathas or peethams belong to various schools of Hindu philosophy, such as those of Vaishnavism and Shaivism.
