GURUPARAMPARA

KASHI PEETHA

(A Short History of Jangamwadi Math)

Guruparampara Gallery

The history of Kashi Vshwaradhya Jnana Simhasana Peetha, also known as Jangamawadi Math, traces back from Kritayuga to Kaliyuga. This Peetha is one among the five Virashaiva Peethas. In the Kritayuga (Satyuga), Shri Jagadguru Panchakshara Shivacharya Bhagavatpadji was the Peethadhipati of this Peetha. In the Tretayuga, Shri Jagadguru Panchavaktra Shivacharya Bhagavatpadji was the Peethadhipati. In Dwaparyuga, Shri Jagadguru Vishvakarna Shivacharya Bhagavatpadji was peethadhipati. It is this Peethadhipati who preached the Virashaiva philosophy to the famous Maharshi Durvasa. That sermon is still available in the name of Panchavarna Mahasutra. As per the tradition, in the beginning of the Kaliyuga Shri Jagadguru Vishwaradhya Shivacharya Bhagavatpadji was the Peethadhipati of this Jnana Peetha. This Peethadhipati manifested from the Kashi Vishveshwar Jyotirlinga on the auspicious day of Mahashivaratri. He established this Peetha, also known as Jangamawadi Math, for the welfare of the society and for the propagation of Virashaiva siddhanta.

The Jnana Simhasana Peetha established by His Holiness Jagadguru Vishwaradhya is still in existence in the Kailash Mandap of Jangamawadi Math. The Aacharyas of this Peetha used to sit on the Jnana Simhasana in the ancient times for delivering religious discourses of Veerashaiva philosophy and religion to the saints (Rishis) and common people. The tradition of sitting on this Jnana Peetha for getting Sanskara and Mantropadesa by the successive Jagadgurus on their coronation is still in practice.

After fulfilling the purpose of his Avatar (incarnation), Shri Jagadguru Vishwardhya Bhagavatpadji made his disciple, Mallikarjuna Shivacharya, his successor and went into the union of Vishweshwar Jyotirlinga. The history says that Shri Jagadguru Mallikarjuna Shivacharya Bhagavatpadji was the Peethadhipati for 311 years. His period was from 2001 B.C. to 1690 B. C. After spreading the Virashaiva philosophy in the north India, he handed over the responsibility to his disciple and took Samadhi while alive. The same samadhi is being worshipped as the original one in the Jangamawadi Math. The successive Peethadhipatis were given the same name as “Shri Jagadgur Mallikarjuna Vishwaradhya Shivacharya Bhagavatpad”. Around 77 peethadhipatis were famous by this name. Shri Jagadguru Mallikarjuna Vishwaradhya Bhagavatpadji lived for 121 years (i.e. from 553 A.D. to 674 to A.D.). During his period, the then Kashi Naresh (King) Jayananda Deo had donated the land falling between Kardameshwar temple and the bank of the Ganga to the Jangamawadi Math on the Ekadasi of Shuklapaksha Kartikamasa in the year 574 A.D. for the blessings of Lord Shiva. This 1500 year old Danapatra is still preserved in the Jangamawadi Math. The Archaeological Department of India has suggested on that no other inscription written on such ancient paper exists in India. A village named “Jangampur” was in existence on the land given by Kashi Naresh.

It is again in the 51st Peethadhipati’s time that the Nepal Naresh, Raja Vishwamalla had donated land in the year 635 A.D. (Vikram Samvat 692, Jyeshtha Shuddha Ashtami). The inscription is still available in the Jangam Math at Bhaktapur, a historical place in Nepal. The Pooja and other management of Jangm Math is still being carried out by the Jangams of Nepal. It is held that the earlier Peethadhipatis with the help of Yoga used to travel in the air to visit their Mathas in Nepal, Gaya and Prayag. Besides, the Mughal Emperors- Humayan, Akbar, Jahangir, Shahjahan, Auragazeb and Mohammad Shah had also donated lands to the Jangamawadi Math during 1530-1668 A.D. The 17 firmans (Danapatra) are still available in the Jangamawadi Math.

The Jangamwadi Math is very close to the Lord Vishwanath temple and the Ganges. It’s within 200 meters distance from Godowlia crossing.

These firmans of Mughal Emperors were given during the period of 71st Peethacharya to 77th Peethacharya. All these firmans were examined and found true by the Allahabad High Court in the year 1932. The branch Mathas of Jangamawadi Math have been established in the Prayag (Allahabad) and Gaya for the convenience of the pilgrims.

The portraits from 79th Peethacharya to present Peethacharya are available. The contribution of these Peethacharyas to this Math is explained here along with their photographs.