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History of Suvarnagiri Matha
Sri Suvarnagiri Samsthana Virakta Matha (Kalmatha)
Kanakagiri place used be called as “Suvarnagiri”. Suvarnagiri has a special place in Indian history by its rich heritage witnessing the Golden Era of Vijayanagara Dynasty. Suvarnagiri was blessed by eminent scholars and seers like Sri Allama Prabhu, Sri Rudra Shivayogi, Sri Kanakachala Swamy, Sri
Chidanandavadhoot, Sri Kanaka Purandhara. Kanakagiri enriched the region of Hyderabad-Karnataka with historic, spiritual and cultural heritage.
Sri Suvarnagiri Samsthana Virakta Matha (Kalmatha) is the symbol of spiritual, cultural, non-violence-truth-sacrifice-simplicity. The institution inspired the society with the efforts of bringing harmony, peace, love, and care among the people.and has a legacy of 28 pontiffs since the inception. The institution was mentioned in “Shivatatva Ratnakara” book of 15 th century . Prominently the institution has been working for the society from 15th century. The history says that Hyderabad Nijam has gifted seven villages to the institution appreciating the works of the institution. The institution was worshipped as Guru Matha by the Mandalika Kings of Vijayanagara Dynasty.
It is believed that the institution was established by Sri Allamaprabhu of Kalyana Kranti fame in 12 th century. He made Sri Rudraswamy as a first Pontiff of the institution and directed him to carry work towards betterment of society and spread spirituality. The Suvarnagiri matha has several branches
and has a legacy of 28 pontiffs since the inception. The institution was mentioned in “Shivatatva Ratnakara” book of 15 th century . Prominently the institution has been working for the society from 15th century. The history says that Hyderabad Nijam has gifted seven villages to the institution
appreciating the works of the institution. The institution was worshipped as Guru Matha by the Mandalika Kings of Vijayanagara Dynasty.
Late Sri Channamalla Shivayogi, 25th pontiff of the institution was a scholar in Kannada, Hindi,English and Urdu languages. He received several gifts from Nijam because of his scholarly guidance to the king. He always worked for betterment of society and uplifted poor people by giving them education and financial help. He helped Late Sri Chennabasava Taata to be a great scholar and appointed him as head of Olaballari, Nadichaagi, Paamanakeluru, Eddaladoddi, Ginivaara, Aayanooru, and Kosigi branches of the Suvarnagiri Matha. Channamalla Shivayogi was associated with the social reformer, a great seer His Holiness Sri Haanagalla Kumara Shivayogi of Shivayogamandira and founder of Veerashiava Maha Sabha. He spent his last days of his life in a village called Medikinaal and made his transition in the year 1954. Since then in his memory the day is observed as commemoration day at the village.
After Sri Chennamalla Shivayogi’s demise government took over the institution and branches with thousands of acres of land and controlled for about 15 years. In 1971 Late Ma.Ni.Pra.Sri Rudramuniswamy was appointed as the successor of the institution
Sri Rudramuni Swamiji was born on 02-08-1945 in a family of a cultural and spiritual tradition of
Tonasihaala Hirematha. He was named as Mahantappa, at the age of 10 he heads to Shivayogamandira by the guidance of Late Koppada Mahantappa Swamiji. He continued his education in Veda, Aagama, Upanishat, Yoga, Japa, Tapa etc., at Shivayogamandira as Shankaradeva.
He studied Ayurveda and mastered in Ayurveda medicine prescription. He was appointed as the
head of Sri Haalakeri Annadaaneeshwara Matha, after serving for some time on Sri Shake 1892 nd
Saadaarananaama Samvatsara Maagha Shudda Dashami on 05-02-1971 he was officially appointed as 27 th Pontiff of Suvaranagiri Samsthana Viraktamatha and named as Sri Rudramuni Swamiji, Kanakagiri by Ma.Ni.Pra Annadaana Mahaswamiji.
Understanding the need of the hour, he realised that education is the only solution to improve the life of the people. As Kanakagiri (Hyderabad Karnataka)region is backward . The agriculture in the region is majorly depended on rain, hence the people are left with no option to survive. Sri
Rudramuni swamiji’s empathy towards society made him to understand the situation and found that the lack of education is the major hurdle in up-liftment of the society. He started several educational institutes at Kanakagiri. In 1987 he started Educational institute and under the institute in 1988 started Sri Shivayogi Chennamalla Primary school and in 1992 Sri Rudraswamy High school. He gifted lands of the institution to government to start education institutes at Bevoor, Jalahaala, Mangalooru, Medikinaala, Kanakagiri. He has also given away several lakhs of rupees to many educational institutes to improve the quality of education. On Wednesday 11-05-2005, Sri Shake 1926 Taaruna naama Samvatsara, Shravana Bahula Dashami he made his transition.
Other seers who headed
the Suvarnagiri religious institute
1. Sri Rurdra Shivayogi
2. Sri Shanta (Malla) Veera Swamiji
3. Sri Karibasava Swamiji
4. Sri Channabasava Swamiji
5. Sri Chennaveera Swamiji
6. Sri Rudraswamy
7. Sri Chennamalla Swamiji
8. Sri Chennabasava Swamiji
9. Sri Basavalinga Swamiji
10. Sri Chennaveera Swamiji
11. Sri Rudraswamy
12. Sri Chennamalla Swamiji
13. Sri Rudraswamy
14. Sri Chennabasava Swamiji
15. Sri Rudraswamy
16. Sri Chennamalla Swamiji
17. Sri Basavalinga Swamiji
18. Sri Chennaveeraswamiji (17 th )
19. Sri Gurupadaswamy
20. Sri Chennaveeraswamiji (17 th )
21. Sri Shivalinga Swamiji
22. Sri Mahalinga Swamiji (Poet/Writer) 185123. Sri Rudraswamy
24. Sri Chennamalla Swamiji
25. Sri Rudraswamy
26. Sri Chennamalla Shivayogi
27. Sri Ridramuni Swamiji
28. Dr. Sri Chennamalla Swamiji (Present Pontiff)
Cited in paper Records/Inscriptions:
Cited about the demise of Sri Rudraswamji Sha.Ka 1785 Aashada Shuddha 15 Jaalihaala
Muvvadi Kanakappa Nayaka Rangappa Nayaka gifted Chennaveera Swamiji in 1695 Vijayanama Smvatsara Shravana Shuddha 10.
Record Chennamalla Swamiji shaalivahana Shakhe 1727 Kshayanaama Smvatsara
Sri Rudraswamy records 1318 san Fasali
Sri Shivalingaswamiji, Mangalooru record Shaalivaahana Shake 1769
Sri Rudra Swamy record 1858
Ta|| Mahe ajar san 1292 Fasali Kanakagiri Shilamatha has been built by Sri Chennamalla Shivayogi the date of demise 23 Farwardi san 1303 (Maagha Bahula 9 miti)
Sri Mahalinga Swamiji (Poet/Writer) Rajendra Vijaya (Thesis) written in Shalivaahana shake 1773.