Adi Shankaracharya or Aadi Guru Shankaracharya is a saint, philosopher, and poet, who is credited with the revival of Hinduism. His legacy lives on in the form of the four Shankaracharya Peeth, also referred to as four Mathas of Shankaracharya. These Mathas in India were established by Adi Shankaracharya in the four cardinal directions. Each of the four mathas of Shankaracharya was assigned one of the Vedas to study and propagate. 4 Disciples Of Adi Shankaracharya, were given the responsibility of managing one of the four Mutts of Shankaracharya. Read on to know more about the Shankaracharya Math List, the Mathas in India established by Aadi Guru Shankaracharya, and other details.
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Shankaracharya Peeth – Shankaracharya Math List
Aadi Guru Shankaracharya during his short span of life on earth traveled across India. He wrote voluminous commentaries on ancient Indian texts including the Bhagavad Gita, the Vedas, and the Upanishad. He composed numerous beautiful hymns for various Gods and Goddesses. He also established 4 Mathas in India, known as Amnayaya Peethams or Adi Shankaracharya Mathas. These were established with the objective of sustaining and also propagating Sanatana Dharma.
Shankaracharya Math List
- Sharada Peetham, Karnataka – Yajur Veda
- Govardhana Matha, Odisha – Rig Veda
- Dwaraka Pitha, Gujarat – Sama Veda
- Jyotir Math, Uttarakhand – Atharva Veda
Shankaracharya Peethas In India Map
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Shankaracharya Peeth – Four Major Mathas In India | Shankaracharya Math List
The four ancient Shankaracharya Mutts established by Adi Shankaracharya himself are located in Sringeri in Karnataka, Dwarka in Gujarat, Puri in Odisha, and Joshimath near Badrinath in Uttarakhand. These 4 Mutts Of Shankaracharya are beacons that have kept the light of Advaita Vedanta and Sanatan Dharma glowing for many centuries. They continue to be shining lights of knowledge and spirituality for millions of Indians.
The four Mutts established by Shankaracharya, the Vedas assigned to each, and the place of these Mutts are shown in the table below.
| Sr. No | Direction | Name of Mutt | Location | Veda | Designated Disciple |
| 1 | South | Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham | Sringeri | Yajurveda | Sureshwara |
| 2 | East | Purvamnaya Sri Govardhana Peetham | Puri | Rigveda | Padmapada |
| 3 | West | Sri Paschimamnaya Kalika Peetha | Dwarka | Samaveda | Hastamalaka |
| 4 | North | Uttarāmnāya Śrī Jyotir Pītham | Badrinath | Atharvaveda | Totaka |
Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Petham, Sringeri | Sringeri Math | Shankaracharya Peeth In The South
The Sri Sharada Peetham is the first of the four Mutts of Shankaracharya that was established in the 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya. The Sri Sharada Peetham is located in the beautiful and lush environs of Sringeri, a town that nestles in the midst of the verdant hills of the Sahayadri mountain ranges. Sringeri is located in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka in India.
The Sringeri Mutt stands on the banks of the Tunga river. The first pontiff of the Sringeri peetham was one of Adi Shankaracharya’s most senior disciples, Sri Sureshvaracharya. Sri Sureshvaracharya was earlier known as Mandan Mishra and had been defeated by Adi Shankaracharya in a debate, following which, he had become Adi Shankaracharya’s disciple and trusted follower.
The current Shankaracharya of the Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri, is Sri Bharathi Tirtha Swami, who is the 36th Jagadguru of the math, in an unbroken line of succession, since the first Shankaracharya Sri Sureshvaracharya. The Sringeri Sarada Peetham is devoted to the study and dissemination of the Yajur Veda, and the study of the Mahavakya, “अहं ब्रह्मास्मि” (Aham Brahmasmi), which literally means, “I am Brahma”.
Pascimamnaya Sri Sarada Peetham, Dwarka | Kalika Math |Shankaracharya Peeth In The West
Dwarka, which is believed to be the ancient kingdom of Lord Krishna is a sacred place for Hindus. It is home not only to the famous Dwarkadhish and Rukminidevi temple as well as the Nageshvara Jyotirlinga but also the location of the Pascimamnaya Sri Sarada Peetham. This matha is also known as Kalika Matha and is located within the Dwarakadhish temple, on the banks of the River Gomati.
The first Acharya of the Kalika Matha in Dwarka was another direct disciple of Adi Shankaracharya, Sri Hastamalakacharya. The current pontiff of the Pascimamnaya Sri Sarada Peetham in Dwarka is Shri Swaroopanand Saraswati. The Kalika Matha is devoted to the study of the Samveda and the study of the Mahavakya, “तत् त्वम् असि”(Tat Tvam Asi), which literally means, “Thou art That.”
Purvamnaya Sri Govardhana Peetham, Puri | Govardhan Math | Shankaracharya Peeth In The East
The historic and ancient city of Puri near Bhubaneshwar in Odisha is well known for its Jagannath temple and the historic Rath Yatra. Puri is also the location where Adi Shankaracharya set up one of his 4 Mathas In India. This Shankaracharya Peeth is also known as Govardhan Math. The Tirtha or water source associated with this Peetham is Mahadodhi or the sea in the form of the Bay of Bengal.
The first Acharya of the Sri Govardhan Math was Sri Padmapadacharya, another direct disciple of Aadi Shankaracharya. The current Shankaracharya of Puri is Swami Nishchalananda Saraswati. The Govardhan Matha is engaged in the study and dissemination of the oldest of the Vedas. the Rigveda. The Mahavakya that has been assigned to the Matha by Adi Shankaracharya is, “प्रज्ञानम् ब्रह्म,”(prajñānam Brahma), which literally means, “Insight is Brahma.”
Uttaramnaya Sri Jyotir Peetham | Jyotir Math | Shankaracharya Peeth In The North
The Shankaracharya Peeth located on the northern cardinal point of India is the Jyotir Math, located in the picturesque locale of Joshimath in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand in India. Joshimath is about 254 kilometers from Rishikesh and 46 kilometers from Badrinath. The Peetham is known as Jyotir Math and is located near the River Alaknanda.
The first Acharya of the Jyotir Math was another disciple of Aadi Shankaracharya, Totakacharya. Currently, Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati of the Kalika Math in Dwarka presides over the affairs of the Jyotir Math as a caretaker. The post of the Pontiff is currently vacant and disputed.
The Jyotir Math is focused on the study of the Atharva Veda and the Mahavakya associated with this Matha is, “अयम् आत्मा ब्रह्म”(Ayam Ātmā Brahma), which literally means, “The Self is Brahma.”
We hope you liked this post about the four Amnaya Peethams established in the four cardinal directions by Adi Shankaracharya. We end with a quote from Adi Shankaracharya.
“Like the appearance of silver in mother of pearl, the world seems real until the Self, the underlying reality, is realized.” Adi Shankaracharya
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I love that quote about the world seeming real until we realize that Self really calls the shots for Love, One-ness and Harmony. We are all connected in God. Fear is illusion. Love is the only Reality. What a beautiful time we live in now for much fear-clearing is unfolding, unwinding humanity from deluded, insane beliefs fostered in the world….but not of the world.
Ryan
Very nice article! Thanks for sharing this information with us.
A very detailed account of the shankaracharya mutts.
It will serve as a good guide for all those who are spiritually inclined towards his teachings.
This is so much to know and understand about shankaracharya mutts.. Wasn’t aware of it at all. This is very informative for people who are spiritually driven
A detailed brief of the shankaracharya mutts.
It will helps everyone to incline and know more about his works and methods and also would act as a good guide book.
I had read a bit on Adi Shankracharya but wasn’t knowing in so much detail. You hav elaborated so well especially about the 4 Mutts. Very informative piece.
This is such a detailed piece about all the mathas. I’m amazed by how they all connect so well.
It is a great source of information and very detailed. I am sure will help lots of people who follow him and his teachings.
This was such an insightful post with a lot of information about shankarachatya
Wow I did not know there was a mutt in Sringeri as well. I have never visited any of these mutts and I knew very little about Shankaracharya. Thanks for this post, I know more about it now.
Our next generation must know about Sankaracharya and his writings and teachings. I will tell my child about the maths
It was a very informative read about Shankaracharya mutts. Love is the only reality. Such rich thoughts.
Really interesting and informative! I’ve been to Puri few times , will visit the one there .
I have heard and read about the vedas but the shankaracharya connection and all these maths are completely new for me. Thank you for sharing this information.
I have visited the Puri one. Didn’t know about others. Thanks for sharing elaborately about them.
A good and spiritual point of view i appreciated your kind effort to published such a great thing so thanks a lot.
But I want to point out one thing is that in the detailed list given in your designated disciple list in top of this article is
in 2nd row you have mentioned as 2 East Purvamnaya Sri Govardhana Peetham Puri Rigveda Hastamalaka
but you have written as The first Acharya of the Kalika Matha in Dwarka was another direct disciple of Adi Shankaracharya, Sri Hastamalakacharya.
so please mentioned the write thing.
as per my opinion it is contradicted.
with regards
sudhir
Thank you so much for reading the post in detail and pointing this out. The error has been rectified. Appreciate your feedback, it helps in improving the quality and veracity of our content.
Had the privilege of visiting all four shankaramutts