Sri Sivaganga Math was founded in 1615 by Sri Sankara Bharati Swami at the request of the Mysore King. It has always been an independent Advaita Math, not under any other Math. This 1918 Government note records the passing of the then Swamigal of Sri Sivaganga Math at Pondicherry and the arrangements made by the Mysore Muzrai Department for the rituals in connection with his maha-samadhi and succession. The late Swamigal, with the approval of His Highness the Maharaja of Mysore, had chosen Vedamurti Rama Sesha Sastri to be initiated into Sanyasa Ashrama as his successor. After his demise, the Government also recognized the new head as Sri Sachidananda Abhinava Subrahmanya Gangadhara Bharati Swami. Earlier, in 1831, the Maharaja of Mysore had settled a dispute between the Sivaganga and Tunga Maths by declaring that the Sivaganga Math shall enjoy the same rights and privileges as Tunga Math, affirming its equal and independent standing. Further, the Government Proceedings dated 4th January 1919 issued by the General and Revenue Departments of His Highness the Maharaja of Mysore formally recognized this succession. The order records, with deep regret, the Swamigal’s passing and confirms that, in accordance with the prior approval of the Government, Vedamurti Rama Sesha Sastri was inducted into Sanyasa Ashrama and recognized as the new head under the title Sri Sachidanandabhinava Subrahmanya Gangadhara Bharati Swami. Neither the previous Swami nor the Government sought any permission or approval from any other Matha for this nomination or installation, confirming that the Sivaganga Math is a separate religious denominational institution.
