Month: November 2023

Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetha: Tracing Its Spiritual Jurisdiction in Kanchipuram and Jambukeshwaram Through Government Documents from the British Period (Part-2)

Published on by Shankarasampradayakosh

Spiritual Jurisdiction and Official Recognition of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham: Chingleput Collector’s order (1839)

In the context of the Jagadguru Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Sankaracharya Swami’s spiritual jurisdiction over the Jambukeshwaram Devasthanam, the Trichinopoly Tahsildar referenced Chingleput Collector’s order no. 97/6 dated 25-2-1839.

This order specified procedures for the Kumbhabhishekam of Kanchipuram Sri Kamakshi Ambal Devasthanam, which was then under Government management following the relocation of the Kanchi Srimatha to Kumbhakonam.

In 1839, on the basis of the views and requests expressed by the general public, while reporting the Kanchipuram temple’s consecration necessity to the Chingleput Collector, the Kanchipuram Tahsildar prompted the Board of Revenue to release the required funds for carrying out the necessary renovation.

Recognizing the historical ties of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetha with the Kanchi Devasthanam throughout the ages, the Chingleput District Collector immediately ordered the observance of proper formalities in a fitting manner to invite and receive the Kanchi Jagadguru (Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Sankaracharya Swamigal, the 64th Acharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetha) for renovating the temple, overseeing of the rituals, and conducting the consecration and immediate release of surplus funds of the Devasthanam from the District Board of Revenue for this purpose. (2/3)

Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetha: Tracing Its Spiritual Jurisdiction in Kanchipuram and Jambukeshwaram Through Government Documents from the British Period (Part-2)

Spiritual Jurisdiction and Official Recognition of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham: Chingleput Collector’s order (1839)

In the context of the Jagadguru Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Sankaracharya Swami’s spiritual jurisdiction over the Jambukeshwaram Devasthanam, the Trichinopoly Tahsildar referenced Chingleput Collector’s order no. 97/6 dated 25-2-1839.

This order specified procedures for the Kumbhabhishekam of Kanchipuram Sri Kamakshi Ambal Devasthanam, which was then under Government management following the relocation of the Kanchi Srimatha to Kumbhakonam.

In 1839, on the basis of the views and requests expressed by the general public, while reporting the Kanchipuram temple’s consecration necessity to the Chingleput Collector, the Kanchipuram Tahsildar prompted the Board of Revenue to release the required funds for carrying out the necessary renovation.

Recognizing the historical ties of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetha with the Kanchi Devasthanam throughout the ages, the Chingleput District Collector immediately ordered the observance of proper formalities in a fitting manner to invite and receive the Kanchi Jagadguru (Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Sankaracharya Swamigal, the 64th Acharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetha) for renovating the temple, overseeing of the rituals, and conducting the consecration and immediate release of surplus funds of the Devasthanam from the District Board of Revenue for this purpose. (2/3)

Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetha: Tracing Its Spiritual Jurisdiction in Kanchipuram and Jambukeshwaram Through Government Documents from the British Period : Part-1

Published on by Shankarasampradayakosh

Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetha: Tracing Its Spiritual Jurisdiction in Kanchipuram and Jambukeshwaram Through Government Documents from the British Period : Part-1

Introduction

The Spiritual legacy of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetha established by Sri Shankara Bhagavatpadacharya in the Mokshapuri of Kanchipuram, a revered religious institution with deep historical roots, unfolds through a meticulous examination of the Government documents from the British period. This exploration primarily relies on the Report of the Tahsildar & Second Class Magistrate, Trichinopoly, dated 08.03.1908 (No. R.C.4686 of 1907) shedding light on the spiritual jurisdiction of the Jagadguru Shankarachaarya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetha in two of the Pancha-Bhuta kshetras of Southern India, Kanchipuram and Jambukeshwaram.

Srimatha’s Governance over Kanchipuram & Jambukeswaram Devasthanams : Overview of the Report from Tahsildar & Second class Magistrate (P.Dis. 516/1908)

This report was submitted to the Revenue Divisional Officer and Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Tiruchirapalli by the Tahsildar & Second Class Magistrate, shortly after the Kumbhabhishekam of Sri Jambukeshwara Swamy Devasthanam in Tiruvanaikovil, documented under P.Dis. 516/08 on 31.12.1908.

Valuable information elucidating the historical importance of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetha, outlining its rights, honours, and official recognition in the sacred towns of Kanchipuram and Jambukeshwaram are found in this vintage document. (1/3)

From Tradition to Transition: Tunga Matha’s Shifting Stance on Shri Shankaracharya’s Birth Year

Published on by Shankarasampradayakosh

In his article published by the Srirangam Vani Vilas Shankara Gurukulam Journal, Tinnavely Advocate R. Krishnaswamy Iyer, an adherent of the Tunga Matha, supported for 44 B.C.E as Shankaracharya’s birth year, in line with the Tunga Matha’s tradition.

Despite dismissing the traditional date favored by the Kanchi, Puri, Dwaraka and Jyotir mathas and date suggested by the Western scholars (509 B.C.E and 788 C.E), the Tunga Matha later shifted its stance and adopted the 788 C.E date.

What factors influenced this change from supporting 44 B.C.E to accepting 788 C.E as Shri Shankaracharya’s birth year?

The transition in the Tunga Matha’s position raises questions about the specific influences behind this shift from their initial stand for 44 B.C.E to eventually adopting the 788 C.E date, marking the period post the birth of Jesus Christ.