Ramachandrapura Math
The Sankaracharya of the Shaiva Ramachandrapura Math (monastery) is a Hindu monastery located in Hosanagara taluk of Shimoga, Karnataka. The Matha is followed mainly by the Havyaka Brahmins in Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Shimoga districts of Karnataka and Kasaragod district of Kerala .[1][2] It was established by Adi Shankaracharya originally near Gokarna, a holy town on the west coast of India. The matha was initially known as Raghuthama Matha. The Swami (or guru) of the matha is a celibate and a Havyaka by birth. He adds the title Bharati to his name.[2] The present guru is Shri Raghaveshwara Bharathi Swamiji. Adi Shankaracharya appointed his disciple Shri Vidyananda as the first guru of the matha. The matha has a unbroken lineage of mathadishas (head of the matha) since then. Shri Raghavaeshwara Bharathi is the 36th guru.[3]
Lower caste Hindus (such as Bandis who were carpenters, husbandmen and domestic servants) could obtain permission to wear the sacred thread from him. For this they would award him with an annual offering. They then burnt their dead instead of burying them and Śrāddha ceremonies were held.[4]
Social disputes among the Havyakas were settled at meetings of the adult members of the community held either under the guidance and control of this Guru or under a headman appointed by the Guru. This headman held power as the delegate of the spiritual guide.[2] But some of the Havyakas of Kumta, Honnavar and Ankola gave up their allegiance to the Ramachandrapura monastery and placed themselves under the Saklapuri math at Mundalli near Bhatkal and called themselves Saklapuris.[2]
