Shri Raghavendra Math, better known as Rayara Math (popularly known as Shri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt, formerly known as Kumbakonam Math, Vibhudendra Math, Dakshinadi Mutt[1] or Vijayendra Math) is one of the Dvaita Vedanta monasteries (matha) descended from Madhvacharya through Sri Jayatirtha further with Vibudhendra Tirtha (a disciple of Ramchandra Tirtha). It is one of the three premier monasteries descended in the lineage of Jayatirtha the other two being Uttaradi Math and Vyasaraja Math and are jointly referred as Mathatraya.[2][3][4] It is the pontiffs and pandits of the Mathatraya that have been the principle architects of post-Madhva Dvaita Vedanta through the centuries.[5]
Ramachandra Tirtha's disciples are Vidyanidhi Tirtha and Vibhudendra Tirtha. Vidyanidhi Tirtha continued in the lineage of Uttaradi Matha and Vibhudendra Tirtha established Dakshinadi Matha in Kumbhakonam. These lineages were formed and continued for the benefit of the Madhva philosophy so that more and more individuals consequently have access to the philosophy and get Upadeśa (spiritual guidance). Later this matha came to be known by the name of Kumbhakona Matha. After the times of famous Vijayendra Tirtha it came to be known as Vijayendra Math. Post the period of Sri Subodhendra Tirtha (1799 - 1835) the mutt was stationed at Nanjanagud, hence it is also known as Najangud Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt in later days. In recent decades, the mutt has established it headquarters at Mantralayam. It is the holy abode of Sri Raghavendra teertha (1621 - 1671) who is one of the prominent personalities in the lineage of Madhvacharya. Sri Raghavendra Matha ( the moola vrindavana place of Sri Raghavendra teertha) is located on the bank of Tungabhadra River in Mantralayam in Adoni taluk of Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh, India .[6][7]
The matha was originated from Jadadguru Sri Madhvacharya himself and later the mutt was periodically named after the respective pontiffs. At the time of pontification of the great Sri Raghavendra Tirtha (also known as Sri Raghavendra Swamy) the mutt became popularly known as Sri Raghavendra Swamy mutt. So, earlier the matha was known as Kumbhakonam Matha or Dakshinadi Math and later the matha was made popular as Sri Vijayendra Mutt after Vijayendra Tirtha by Sudhindra Tirtha, a disciple and successor to the pontificate of Kumbakonam Matha. After Sudhindra Tirtha his disciple, the most venerated dvaita saint Raghavendra Tirtha continued in the pontifical lineage as the pontiff of the matha.
Moola Rama is the prime deity of the mutt.[8] Which is believed to be Chaturyuga Murthy ( Idol worshipped in all four Yugas) and worshipped by Chaturmukha Brahma himself. This idol was crafted by Vishwakarma. This deity was brought by Sri Narahari teertha as per the orders of Sri Madhvacharya.[9][10][11] Along with Moola Rama, Deities of Digvijaya Rama (Worshipped by Sri Madhvacharya), Jaya Rama (worshipped by Sri Jayateertha) is also being worshipped at Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt. Two Vyasamushtis,[12] Santana Gopala Krishna, Vaikuntha Vasudeva, Vitthala and other prominent deities with significant historical importance are worshipped in the mutt.
The Guru Parampara (Lineage of Saints) of Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt is given below.
Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raghavendra Math (Mantralayam).
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