Shri Brahmavidyanandanatha Bharathi, also known as Omkarananda Swami, an erudite scholar who was a householder in his purvashrama.

Shri Abhinavoddhanda Vidyaranya Bharathi Swami of Avani Matha attained videha mukti on 11.04.1925 while he was touring in the Nizam states. Later, Shri Omkarananda Swami forwarded his claim that since he had been initiated into sanyasashrama by the Avani Peethadhipathi in 1916 at the Karungundikuppam camp, he was the rightful successor to the ancient Avani Peetha. It was also claimed that his Guru had handed over the Matha deities, authorised him to act as Peethadhipathi and sent him to his Mysore jurisdiction in order to exercise such authority.

All these claims were vehemently opposed by the selection committee of disciples of the Matha formed by the Mysore Government. Finally, the Government, after considering the committee’s resolutions and the opinions of learned scholars of the time rejected his claim.

Despite this, the Swami continued to assert his claim until 1946, when, at the age of 97 years, he finally attempted to ascend the Peetha with the support of his followers. Even at this advanced age, Shri Brahmavidyanandanatha Bharathi Swami wrote “Shri Shankaravijaya Dindima”, published by Giri Brothers, Triplicane, Madras, in which he set out several historical details from his own point of view relating to Shankaravijaya literature, Shankarite institutions, and Guruparampara of various mathas.