Chitrapur Math

Chitrapur Math established in 1757 by the first Guru Swami Parijnanashram who came from Kashi with an idol of Lord Bhavanishankar – the Presiding Deity of the Math, is located in Shirali village in North Kanara, Karnataka. For well over 300 years, the Chitrapur Math devoted itself to rejuvenate the community spiritually and guide people in their Sadhana. The Math also reaches out to help through charitable and developmental activities such as distribution of free meals (Annadaan), promoting education, health care, offering vocational guidance, opportunities and skills to become self-reliant etc. The Math runs a Vedic School and teaches Sanskrit free of charge. The library it runs has a rich collection of valuable books and ancient palm leaf manuscripts. The museum is home to over 400 relics belonging to the period of 300 AD to 1800 AD. The main festival of the Math is “Rathotsava” -the car festival which celebrates its 150th year in 2011.

The Math firmly supports widows remarriage and opposes child marriage. The endeavour of the Math is to uplift people from the poverty line by providing them necessary financial assistance and guidance so that people become self reliant. Free education, books, uniforms and mid-day meals are provided to the children studying in educational institutions run under the aegis of the Math. Scholarships are provided to deserving students. Srivali Clinic provides free medical help. The Math has undertaken a drinking water project pumping water from the river through a sand filter which is then filtered for drinking and distributed to nearby areas through tankers. The Math provides packages of groceries and other essentials periodically to the villagers in need. Every student is given a fruit and bio-friendly, warm, wholesome, hygienic mid-day meal, planting saplings. Water harvesting, vermiculture, bio-fertiliser, home gardens based on organic practices are encouraged. The Shrines and Rare Pooja uses leaves and grass collected in surrounding areas as its raw material. It is ensured that no green leaf is burnt in a hill belonging to the Math. Chitrapur Math is not only a Math but a home.

India Post is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on Chitrapur Math.