The four Shankaracharya Peethas were established by Adi Shankaracharya in the four cardinal directions of India. These Peethams or Mathas, stand as enduring symbols of the great Hindu Guru, philosopher, and guide, as well as Hinduism or Sanatan Dharma itself. Adi Shankaracharya is known for reviving Hinduism and his prolific literary works which includes commentaries and interpretations of the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, and much more.

One of his enduring legacies is the 4 Shankaracharya Peeth he established in Badrinath, Puri, Dwaraka, and Sringeri.

Shankaracharya Peethas – Legacy of Adi Shankaracharya

Adi Shankaracharya established the four Shankaracharya Peeths called Amnaya Peethams, in the four directions of the country. The objective of establishing these Shankaracharya Mutts was the study and propagation of the values of the Vedas and other tenets of Sanatana Dharma. It was part of his effort to revive Hinduism from the quagmire that it was sinking into, in those times.

The Four Shankaracharya Peethas | Shankaracharya Mutts

The list of Shankaracharya Peethas or Shankaracharya Mathas that were established in the four cardinal directions of India is as under:

1. Sharada Peetham in Sringeri, Karnataka
2. Dwarka Peetham in Dwaraka, Gujarat
3. Govardhan Matha in Puri, Odisha
4. Jyotir Math near Badrinath, Uttarakhand

Sharada Peetham In Sringeri – First Of The Shankaracharya Peethas

The first of the four Shankaracharya Peethas was established in a place called Sringeri in the state of Karnataka. The first of the Shankaracharya Mutts is known as Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham. It nestles near the banks of the Tunga river in the Chikamagalur district of Karnataka.

The Sringeri Matha was assigned the study of the Yajur Veda and the Mahavakya, “Aham Brahmasmi.” The first Guru to ascend the Peetha at Sringeri was Sri Sureshvaracharya, one of Adi Shankaracharya’s direct disciples.

The nearest airport to Sringeri is Mangalore at a distance of about 110 Kilometres.

Sharada Peetham In Dwarka | Kalika Math

The holy city of Dwarka which was established by Sri Krishna in the Dwapara Yuga is the site of the Shankaracharya Peetha in the western direction. This Jagadguru Shankaracharya Math is known as Paschimamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham. This Shankaracharya Mutt is located within the famous Dwarkadhish temple of Dwaraka in the state of Gujarat. It lies near the confluence of River Gomti and the Arabian Sea.

The Dwarka Peetham was established for the continued study of the Samveda and the Mahavakya, “Tat Tvam Asi.” The first Guru of the Kalika Math of Dwarka was Sri Hastamalakacharya who was another direct disciple of Adi Shankara.

The nearest airport to Dwarka is Jamnagar at a distance of about 126 Kilometres.

Govardhan Math In Puri| Shankaracharya Peeth In The East

The holy city of Puri and one of the Char Dham Pilgrimage centres of Hinduism is the place that Adi Shankaracharya chose to establish the third of the Shankaracharya Peethas. It is known as Purvamnaya Sri Govardhan Peetham and stands not far from the shores of the Arabian Sea in Puri located in the state of Odisha. Puri is well known for its Jagannath temple and the annual Rath Yatra.

The Govardhan Peetham of Puri was established for the study and dissemination of the Rigveda and the Mahavakya, “prajñānam Brahma.” Sri Padmapadacharya, another disciple of Adi Shankaracharya ascended the Peetham as its first pontiff.

The nearest airport to Puri is Bhubaneshwar at a distance of about 60 Kilometres.

Jyotirmath Badrikashram Himalay | Shankaracharya Peetha In The North

The site for the Shankaracharya Peetha in the north was Jyotirmath, located about 46 kilometres from Badrinath, which is one of the Char Dhams designated by Adi Shankaracharya.  This Peetham is situated near the banks of the river Alaknanda in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. This Shankaracharya Mutt is known as Uttaramnaya Sri Jyotir Peetham, and is dedicated to the study of the Atharva Veda and the Mahavakya, “Ayam Atma Brahma.” The first Acharya of the Jyotirmath was Sri Totakacharya.

The nearest airport to Jyotirmath is Dehradun at a distance of about 289 Kilometres.

The four Shankaracharya Peethas in the four directions continue to show the way and act as spiritual guiding lights for millions, a legacy of Adi Shankaracharya that is timeless.

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