Ashta Mathas of Udupi

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13th century portrait of Madhvacharya

The Tulu Ashta Mathas of Udupi (

Hindu thought with his direct disciples to be the first Swami
, head of the matha.

Ashta Mathas of Udupi
Matha First Sannyasi Presiding Deity Reigning Pontiff Successor
Pejavara Sri Adhokshaja Teertha
Bhudevi
Sri Vishvaprasanna Teertha Swamiji
Palimaru
Sri Hrishikesha Teertha Kodanda Rama with consort Sita and brother Lakshmana Sri Vidhyadeesha Teertha Swamiji Sri Vidyarajeshwara theertha Swamiji
Adamaru Sri Narasimha Teertha Kaliyamardana Krishna with four arms and Katyayani Devi Sri Vishvapriya Teertha Swamiji Sri Eeshapriya Teertha
Puttige Sri Upendra Teertha
Vitthala with consorts Rukmini and Satyabhama
Sri Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji Sri Sushreendra Teertha Swamiji
Sodhe
Sri Vishnu Teertha Swamiji
Bhuvaraha Sri Vishvavallabha Teertha Swamiji
Kaniyooru
Sri Rama Teertha Swamiji Yoga-Narasimha Sri Vidyavallabha Teertha Swamiji
Shirur Sri Vamana Teertha Swamiji
Bhudevi
Sri Vedavardhana Teertha Swamiji
Krishnapura
Sri Janardhana Teertha Swamiji Kaliyamardana Krishna Sri Vidyasagara Teertha Swamiji

The ashta mathas are named after the villages in which they were originally located. Today, the mathas are situated in the temple town of

Udupi Krishna Temple by way of a formal rotation scheme called Paryaya
.

When the ashta mathas were formed, Sri Madhvacharya initiated the Swamijis of the mathas in pairs. Each pair of mathas is called Dwandva (literally, two or dual). In the event the current Paryaya Swamiji has difficulty performing his duties, the Swamiji from the Dwandwa matha takes over the responsibility. The four pairs of mathas are: Palimaru and Adamaru; Krishnapura and Puttige; Shirur and Sodhe; and Kaniyooru and Pejavara.Unmarried Tulu speaking Shivalli Madhva Brahmins male's become Swamiji's or Mathadeesha's (pontiffs) of Ashta mutts of Udipi after taking

Sanyasa
through religious ceremony. They have to remain bachelor or Sanyasi throughout their swamiji life.

References

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