The Bhattaraka heritage of Shravanabelagola

The tradition of establishing Jain monasteries is believed to have started with the Digambar Jain tradition. Monasteries function as educational centers and institutions for the protection of religious traditions. They perform their work as doctrine interpreters, religious defenders, religious work promoters and as heads. In Jainism the abbots are called Pattacharyas, Bhattaraks. This title is a special religious authority given to him. The religious guru of the area under his jurisdiction is Bhattarakara.

Several parts of Karnataka have a heritage of Jain Maths. Most of the Jain Maths were established in ancient times. there is The Pattacharyas of the Jain Maths of Karnataka hold a venerable position, they are called Prabhu Shrestha, scholars, 11th base of Uddishta Tyaga. There is a historical reference that the Pattacharyas of Karnataka strictly followed the virtues of celibacy, tolerance and humility. He gave more importance to spirituality and religion promotion than worldly. They used to follow many practices of the Jain sages as poets carrying Pinchi and Kavi Vastraka Dhari. Along with the administration of the Math, the work of the Bhattaraks was commendable in the protection of Dharma and Kshetras. Similarly, it is before our eyes that the Bhattaraks, who came from the Peetha tradition of Shravanabelagola, have behaved without fail. The heritage of Shravanabelagola Math is one of them. The heritage of Shravanabelagola Math has a history of two thousand years. Originally, the Bhattaraks of Shravanabelagola were said to be Nigrantha Munis. According to the available record, the Bhattarak tradition of Shravanabelagola started in 904 AD from the reference of an inscription found near Srirangapatna. There is information about Mrs. Bhattarak being the presiding officer here. There is a reference that the dynasties of that time established the peethas. After the regular installation of Chavundaraya Bahubali Murthy at Shravanabelagola, a Jain Mutt was established here. It is said that he was given the charge of administration. So the first royal abbots are said to be Nemicandra Siddanta Chakraborty.

The Bhattaraka heritage of Shravanabelagola based on the available records is as follows:

Shree Matisagar Bhattarak

He was named by Gangara king Satyavakya Permadi Kr. He was appointed in 904.

Shree Nemichandra Siddhanta Chakravarthy

He was elevated to Chavundaraya in 981.

Shree Kunda Kundacharya

He was promoted by Pandya Raya

Shree Siddhantacharya

He was made a priest by Veerapandya

Shree Amalakirti Acharya

He was appointed by Kuna Pandya

Shree Somanandacharya

He was appointed by the Hoysalas in 1050 AD

Shree Tridhama Vibhudanandacharya

In 1070 AD, the Hoysalas were brought to Vinayadhitya.

Prabhachandra Siddantacharya

Appointed by Ereyenga in 1090.

Shree Gunabhadracharya

He was appointed by Ballalaraya to Sri Math in 1102 AD.

Shree Subbachandracharya

He was appointed in 1110 AD. He was honored with the title Charukirti in 1119 AD. From this came the custom called Charukirti for the Bhattaraks of Sri Math.

Shree Channaiah Swami

Belongs to Shravanabelagola.

Mr. Gajapati Swamiji

He is from Madras province.

Shree Chidananda Charukeerthy Bhattarak Swamiji

He was the presiding officer.

Shree Shantaraja Swamiji

He is from Madras province. He was the head priest till 1915.

Shree Selvarasu Swamiji

He was the presbyter from 1915 to 1926.

Swasti Shree Charukeerthy Panditacharyavarya (Shri nemisagarvarneeji)

He lived till 1928. He was from South Kannada.

Swasti Shree Charukeerthy Panditacharyavarya Swamiji

He (Shree Bhattakalanka Swamiji) was in Peetha from 1947 to 1969.

Jagadguru Karmayogi Swastishri Charukeerthy Bhattarak Swamiji

He was the presiding officer from 1970 AD to 2023.

Swastishri Abhinava Charukeerthy Bhattaraka MahaSwamiji

27-03-2023 to The present bhattarak.