Parakala Matha
The Bramhatantra Swatantra Parakala Matha is a Vaishnava monastery (matha) established in Karnataka.[1] It was the first medieval era monastery of the Vadakalai denomination within Vaishnavism tradition of Hindu society. Sri Sri Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Matha was first established by Sri Sri Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Jeeyar, a disciple of Sri Vedanta Desika Swamin.
Parakala Mutt | |
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Entrance and the office of the temple | |
Religion | |
Affiliation | Hinduism |
District | Mysore |
Deity | Hayagriva, Laxmi |
Location | |
Location | Chamarajapuram |
State | Karnataka |
Country | India |
Temple(s) | 1 |
Monastery information | |
---|---|
Established | 1268 |
People | |
Founder(s) | Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Jeeyar |
Important associated figures | Thirumangai Alvar, Vedanta Desika, the Wadiyars |
Site | |
Public access | Yes |
The Matha got the name "Parakala" after Sri Tirumangai Alvar who is also known as Sri Parakalan. The Matha has its headquarters in Mysore. The Matha has had a close relationship with the monarchs of Mysore Kingdom since 1399, which is why the Mysore Palace is housed just next to the Matha. The kings of Mysore hold the Matha as their official gurukul. Even now, the royal lineage has a close relationship with the Matha. All royal ceremonies are even today monitored by the Matha.
Parakala Matha is among the organizations that follow Sri Vedanta Desika as the torch bearer of Sri Ramanuja's teachings. The others are Ahobila Matha, Sri Srirangam Andavan Ashramam and Sri Poundarikapuram Andavan Ashramam.
There have been 36 seers (heads) so far. The head of this Matha is the hereditary Acharya of the Mysore Royal Family. The Hayagriva idol worshiped here is said to be handed down from Vedanta Desika.[2]
Principals
The Acharya Parampara of Sri Parakala Matha is as follows:
# | Portrait | Presided | Principal Guru/Āchārya |
---|---|---|---|
0 | 1268 - 1369 | (Founder Āchārya) Sri Nigamantha Maha Desikan | |
1 | 1286 - 1386 | Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
2 | 1386 - 1394 | Dvitiya Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Deshikan | |
3 | 1394 - 1406 | Tritiya Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
4 | 1406 - 1424 | Sri Parakala Maha Desikan | |
5 | 1425 - 1440 | Sri Vedanta Ramanuja Parakala Maha Desikan | |
6 | 1440 - 1460 | Sri Srinivasa Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
7 | 1460 - 1482 | Sri Narayana Yogindra Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
8 | 1482 - 1498 | Sri Rangaraja Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
9 | 1498 - 1517 | Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
10 | 1517 - 1535 | Sri Yatiraja Brahmatantra Swatantra Maha Desikan | |
11 | 1535 - 1552 | Sri Varada Brahmatantra Swatantra Maha Desikan | |
12 | 1552 - 1567 | Sri Paraankusha Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
13 | 1567 - 1583 | Sri Kavitarkika Simha Brahmatantra Swatantra Maha Desikan | |
14 | 1583 - 1607 | Sri Vedantha Yatisekhara (Yathivarya) Brahmatantra Swatantra Maha Desikan | |
15 | 1607 - 1618 | Sri Gnyanadbhi Brahmatantra Swatantra Maha Desikan | |
16 | 1619 - 1640 | Sri Veera Raghava Yogindra Brahmatantra Swatantra Maha Desikan | |
17 | 1640 - 1652 | Sri Varada Vedantha Brahmatantra Swatantra Maha Desikan | |
18 | 1652 - 1663 | Sri Varaha Brahmatantra Swatantra Maha Desikan | |
19 | 1663 - 1673 | Sri Vedantha Lakshmana Brahmatantra Swatantra Maha Desikan | |
20 | 1673 - 1676 | Sri Varada Vedantha Yogeendra Brahmatantra Swatantra Maha Desikan | |
21 | 1676 - 1738 | Sri Periya Parakala Brahmatantra Swatantra Maha Desikan | |
22 | 1738 - 1750 | Sri Srinivasa Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
23 | 1750 - 1770 | Sri Vedantha Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
24 | 1770 - 1771 | Sri Abhinava Srinivasa Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
25 | 1771 - 1810 | Sri Ramanuja Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
26 | 1810 - 1828 | Sri Ghantaavataara Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
27 | 1828 - 1835 | Sri Vedantha Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
28 | 1835 - 1860 | Sri Srinivasa Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
29 | 1860 - 1873 | Sri Srinivasa Desikendra Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
30 | 1873 - 1885 | Sri Ranganatha Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
31 | 1885 - 1915 | Sri Krishna Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
32 | 1915 - 1925 | Sri Vagheesha Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
33 | 1925 - 1966 | Srimad Abhinava Ranganatha Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
34 | 1966 - 1972 | Srimad Abhinava Srinivasa Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
35 | 1972 - 1992 | Srimad Abhinava Ramanuja Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan | |
36 | 1992–present | Srimad Abhinava Vageesha Brahmatantra Swatantra Parakala Maha Desikan (The Presiding Acharya) |
See also
References
- http://www.parakalamatham.org
- Swami Swahananda: "Monasteries in South Asia", page 50. Vedanta Press, 1989.