BhogoVardhan Shri Shankarananda Matha, Puri
A glorious Sanatani heritage, serving spirituality, culture, and society since the 8th century
The Glorious Past
Bhogavardhan Shri Sanakarananada Matha is an ancient spiritual peeth that predates Adi-Shankar era in contemporary times belongs to Dashanaami Sampradaya. Initially in long past it was in shape of a nice ashram like few other peethas of Puri.
Parampujya Shri Adi Shankara had blessed this matha with his sacred steps at this institution and stayed here as “Paribrajakacharya”. It was an epicenter of Shri Purusottam Dham during 800 AD Great saint Shri Padmapadacharya accompanied Shri Adi Shankar Swami residing in this Matha as well. He had offered the seva of Parichha (Administrator of Neeti and Reeti) in Shri Jagannath Temple and discharging the seva nicely. He had no known disciple. After mahaprayan (demise) of the great saint, the Gajapati Maharaj, the first Sevak of Lord Jagannath, observed disturbance in seva of Mahaprabhu. He was worried and prayed the almighty fervently.
Being advised by Mahaprabhu in swopnadesh (divine touch) of Sri Jagannath the then king Gajapati Anangabhima Dev, 3rd of Gang Dynasty, met a young energetic sannyasi inside the Srimandir, requested him to look after the daily rituals of Lord Jagannath. The saint sweetly denied and advised him to approach his Guru staying at Rameswaram. As per his advice the Gajapati Maharaja invited Shri Bala Brahmanand Saraswati Swamy of Shringery Peetham staying at Rameswaram, a dandi sannyasi of more than 108 years for supervision of Puja Archana at Shri Mandir. Swamiji honoured the invitation and came Shri Jagannath Dham for the purpose, managed the vacant situation after Sri Padmapadacharya but attained Mahasamadhi after few years.
His disciple Shri Shankaranand, a great Yogi, learned Philosopher, student of Shri Aanandatma and Bidyatirtha told to be resident of Chol Deshiya Madhyarjuna Khetra (Tirubisarnlu) by virtue of his sincere efforts identified this matha as Shri Shankaranand Matha . Since 13th Century, Swamy Shri Shankaranand Saraswati was author of 38 valuable Granthas during his life time. The then king of Odisha Gajapati Madanbhanu Dev offered him administration of Sri Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar.
3rd Swamy of this Matha Hierarchy, Swami Maheswarananda Saraswati was offered the administration of Shri Lokanath Temple, Puri by the then Gajapati of Odisha Shri Langula Narasingh Dev. Since then this matha is popularly known as the Gadipeeth of Shri Lokanath Dev. During, 1246 Gajapati Shri Langula Narasingh Dev, 1st reconstructed the temple at Kapilash in Dhenkanal and a Matha named Brahmachari Matha, subsequently Swami Maheswaranand was offered administrative power of the same.
Hence from 13th century the Administrative seva (Parichha Seva) of the following four important temples were conducted by this matha:
- Shri Jagannath Temple of Puri
- Shri Lokanath Temple of Puri
- Shri Lingaraj Temple of Bhubaneswar and
- Shri Chandrasekhar Dev temple and Brahmachari Math at Kapilash
Apart from offering Administative seva Shri Shankaranand Math also constructed various temples and Maths in different parts of the state. Some known monuments are as follows:
- Shri Shankarananda Matha, Ekamra Khetra, Bhubaneswar.
- Shri Kapileswar Dev temple near the bank of Mangala River in Kashi Jagannathpur Sasan, Puri.
- Shri Kapileswar Dev temple at Ohal near Nimapara, Puri.
- Bada Chhauni Math, a branch of this Math at Nayagarh
- Patitapaban Temple at Mukundapur, Kantapada, Palur, Ganjam
- Tankapani Goddess temple, Tankapani Road, Bhubaneswar
- Sita Rameswar temple at Gotalbindha, Balianta, Bhubaneswar
- Shri Kapileswar Dev temple, Bhubaneswar
- Maa Sakoi Thakurani temple, Jala Kabar, Janakadeipur, Puri
- Shri Banambar Dev and Maa Sathi Bhauni temple, Tiadi Sahi, Puri
Relationship with Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri
Relationship of this Matha with Shri Jagannath Temple is unique Mathadhisha of this august institution was the administrator, Parichha of ShriMandir. In past the quantum of Mahaprasad (Bhog) was prepared basing on the volume of incoming pilgrims. In course of time the quantum of Mahaprasad became inadequate due to increase inflow of pilgrims. As a result the then Gajapati Maharaja entrusted the task to Shri Shankaranand Swamy, the Parichha of Sri Jagannath temple, Puri to find out the way for increasing the quantum of bhog. Then Shri Shankaranand Swamy constructed the “Bhog Mandap” for offering large quantum of Anna (Rice) Mahaprasad, Bhog to the deities which is popularly called “Bhawanda” bhog, He also extended the size of the Rosa Ghar (Paaka Shala) and constructed the connecting way to Garbha Gruha to bring cooked Bhog for offering/Pujan to the deities. The Mathadhishas of this Matha successfully enhanced the quanum of Bhog, so the Gajapati Maharaja awarded “Bhogavardhan” title to this Matha. Henceforth this matha is popularly called Bhogavadhan Shri Shankaranad Matha.
Besides, during external attacks due to the physical absence of the Gajapati Maharaja, the Matha played a crucial role in the protection of the temple and uninterrupted seva and Puja at the Shrimandir. This Matha was allotted two cooking Chulah inside Pakashala (kitchen) and allowed Special Anna (Rice) bhog, Pujan every day, and offering Panti bhog during Devasnana Purnima and Rath Yatra.
Relationship with Shri Lokanath Dev Temple, Puri
Shri Lokanath Dev’s temple is an ancient Shaiva Peetha of Shrikhetra, Puri from time unmemorable. History tells, Shri Rama Chandra came to Puri in search of Maa Sita. He was a worshiper of Lord Shiv. He could not find any Shiv temple insight in dense forest. Hence he trace a lauki and placed it in shape of a Shiv-Ling and worshiped. So from the lauki he got the name Lokanath. The seva puja of shri Lokanath dev’s temple was offered into the hands of Shri Maheswarananda Saraswati of this Math. Since 13th century. The Swamyji of this math was the chief Administrator of Shri Lokanath temple. Reeti Niti, the procedure of ‘Hari Hara’ Pujan at this temple is also followed in all other Shiva temples of Odisha. All landed properties of Shri Lokanath Dev were in the name of this Math. Now it is an Endowment managed by the Hon’ble Endowment Commissioner, Odisha.
Relationship with Lingaraj Dev Temple, Bhubaneswar
A branch of this matha was established by the side of Bindusagar in Bhubaneswar to look after the rituals of Shri Lingaraj Dev. There was a Meditation hall whose presence has been traced recently by the survey of Archeological survey of India. Here Shri Shankarananda Swamy spent his last part of his life to attain highest stages of meditation.
A gurukul Veda Vidyalaya namely Krushna Chandra Gurukul Vidyapitha was established in the matha for proper education of Sevayatas of Shri Lingaraj & Shri Kapileswar temples during the year 1940. Those two were treated as one organization. At present those have been separated under the administration of Hon’ble Commissioner of Endowments, Odisha. Our branch Matha was totally demolished by the Government for Ekamra Prakalpa. Only few Samadhi and dilapidated temple structure exist. The above K. C. Gurukul Vidyapitha was extended to a Govt. college named, Krushna Chandra Gurukul Sanskrit College situated over plot No. 813/814 khata no. 1331/4714 mouza Gautam Nagar, Bhubaneswar. The college building has also been demolished, which has been shifted to Jagamara. Old Central School building of Jagamara affiliated to EkamaraCollege, Bhubaneswar. The History of this college is that, the king of Nayagarh, a disciple of this math was severely ill awaiting death. By the grace of Baba Sri Lingaraj Dev Shri Sachidanand Saraswati Swamy of this matha gave him new life. The king constructed the building inside the premises of this Math as Guru Dakshina. The land was donated by Swamy Shri Sachidanand Saraswati for the said purpose vide Registration deed No. 8702 / dt. 02.07.1955.
Relationship with Chandra Sekhar Dev Temple, Kapilas, Dhenkanal
The famous shiv temple on the top of Kapilas hill with natural surrounding reconstructed by the king of Odisha Gajapati Langula Narasingh Dev. A math named Brahmachari math was also constructed by him. Dandi Sanyasi from this math used to stay there to look after the rituals of the temple. King of Dhenkanal donated landed property near Kapilas. Swamis, the Mathadhishas of this Matha were supervising Reeti neeti of Chandra Sekhar Dev of Kapilas, Dhenkanal. World famous saint of this math Shri Shridhar Swami Saraswati adorned as Shankaracharya, Gobardhan Peeth, Puri spent his last life at the Brahmachari Math whose Pada Padma (foot print) is worshipped till date.
Our Aim
We are committed to restoring this ancient Sanatani Matha, preserving its sacred heritage while reviving its moral and spiritual essence. Through this, we seek to nurture cultural harmony, strengthen community welfare, and ensure that its timeless wisdom continues to guide future generations.
Our Appeal
Once a flourishing center of spiritual, cultural, and educational traditions, it now struggles to survive without steady support. A carefully prepared revival plan awaits realization, but its survival depends on the kindness of devotees and well-wishers who value Sanatan Dharma and wish to preserve this timeless legacy.
Support the Revival of Our Ancient Heritage
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How can you help!
The Matha survives only on donations. With your support, we can continue the daily rituals and bring our revival plan (Vikas Prakalp) to life.