Birth of Sri Vishwesha Theertha
Born on 27 April at Ramakunja to Sri Narayanacharya and Smt. Kamalamma, and named Venkataramana.
ತಪಃ ಸ್ವಾಧ್ಯಾಯ ಶುಶ್ರೂಷಾ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಪೂಜಾರತಂ ಮುನಿಂ | ವಿಶ್ವೇಶಮಿಷ್ಟದಂ ವಂದೇ ಪರಿವ್ರಾಟ್ ಚಕ್ರವರ್ತಿನಮ್ ||Tapah Svādhyāya Shushrushaa Krishna Pujāratam Munim | Vishwesham-ishtadam Vande Parivraat chakravartinam ||
About us
Serving Tatvavada
since 1953.
Akhila Bharata Madhwa Maha Mandala was founded by Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji of Sri Pejawar Mutt to present, propagate and protect the teachings of Sri Madhwacharya. This is its story, year by year.
Our founder
Sri Vishwesha Theertha Swamiji
Born to Sri Narayanacharya and Smt. Kamalamma, he became pontiff of Sri Pejawar Mutt as a boy. At 21, during the Tattva Jnana Sammelana of his first Paryaya in Udupi, he founded the Maha Mandala. Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar of Mysuru inaugurated it.
- 1931Born on 27 April at Ramakunja and named Venkataramana.
- 1938Takes sanyasa from Sri Vidyamanya Theertha and becomes Sri Vishwesha Theertha.
- 1953Founds the Maha Mandala, aged 21, during his first Paryaya in Udupi.
Video · Vedavyasa Gurukulam
The life of
our founder.
Audio · Mandala Geethe
The song of
the Maha Mandala.
0:000:00
Timeline
Year by year.
- 1931
History - 1938
History Sanyasa
Takes sanyasa from Sri Vidyamanya Theertha and is named Sri Vishwesha Theertha.
History Named Sri Vishwesha Theertha
At seven, the boy becomes pontiff of the Adhokshaja (Pejawar) Mutt. Sri Vidyamanya Theertha becomes his teacher.
- 1953
History The Maha Mandala is founded
Founded by Sri Vishwesha Theertha, aged 21, at the Tattva Jnana Sammelana of his first Paryaya in Udupi. Inaugurated by Sri Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar of Mysuru.
Vidyarthi Nilayas Raichur hostel opens
Sri Raghavendra Vidyarthi Nilaya opens in a rented building.
Office-bearers First office-bearers (1953–56)
Vice-presidents Pt. Mahuli R. Gopalacharya (Mumbai) and Pt. Raja S. Gururajacharya (Nanjangud); General Secretary Sri Gopala Rao, Gadag.
Office-bearers Raichur: President (1953–69)
Sri Arashinagi Ranga Rao, with Sri Raghavendra Rao Kulkarni as Secretary.
- 1956
History Tattvavada monthly
A spiritual monthly begins on the advice of Sri Pejawar Swamiji. Its first editor is Pt. Pandarinathacharya Galagali, followed by Adhyapadi Haridas Bhat.
History Poornaprajna Vidyapeetha
Land is bought from Sri P. D. Nayak, and the Vidyapeetha grows there.
Vidyarthi Nilayas Bagalkote hostel
The late Sri Gopala Rao Chhabbi donates land, giving the hostel a site to build on.
Vidyarthi Nilayas Madhwa hostel in Mysuru
As part of founding student hostels, Sri Swamiji starts a Madhwa hostel in Mysuru.
Office-bearers President (1956–59)
Prof. Rao Bahadur B. Venkateshacharya, with Vidwan Gururajacharya Pandurangi of Hubballi as Secretary.
- 1958
Office-bearers Sri Vidyaprasanna Theertha becomes President
The pontiff of Sosale Vyasaraja Mutt serves as President from 1958, continuing through the 1959–62 term.
- 1963
Vidyarthi Nilayas Hubballi: a gift of land
Sri Govinda Rao Kanade donates 5 guntas of land, then gives 8 more for a nominal price.
- 1964
Vidyarthi Nilayas Raichur and Belagavi
In Raichur, Sri Vasudevacharya Sarode and his father Sri Ramacharya Sarode donate a 120 × 162 ft plot. In Belagavi, Sri Jagannatha Vasudeva Perulikar gives land.
- 1965
Vidyarthi Nilayas Kalaburagi: a site granted
The Tahsildar sanctions a 280 × 85 ft site to build Sri Jayatheertha Vidyarthi Nilaya.
- 1966
Vidyarthi Nilayas Hubballi hostel opens
The hostel opens once eight rooms and a dining hall are complete.
- 1968
Office-bearers President (1968–74)
Vidwan Gururajacharya Pandurangi of Hubballi, with Sri Anant Tadasa as General Secretary.
- 1969
Vidyarthi Nilayas Kalaburagi hostel completed
The buildings of Sri Jayatheertha Vidyarthi Nilaya and Sri Krishna Mandira are completed. Dr. Muralidhar S. Rao is President from 1969 to 1990.
- 1983
History J. P. Nagar / Jayanagar branch opens
Under the presidency of Sri M. Nagaraja Rao. A 10-day Jnana Satra is held every year.
- 1985
History Sarvamula translation begins
A major project to translate the Sarvamula granthas into Kannada begins. It is completed in December 2019.
- 1997
Vidyarthi Nilayas Hubballi: Sri Vadiraja Seva Pratishthana
The running of the hostel passes fully to Sri Vadiraja Seva Pratishthana. Proceeds from music concerts pay for more rooms.
- 2007
History Hubballi branch re-established
Formed after the 2006–07 VHP meeting. Sri Vishwesha Theertha lights the lamp in January 2007.
- 2014
History Mahila Parishat and Yuva Parishat
Both begin with the blessings of Sri Vishwesha Theertha. Their Balagokula programme is a success.
Office-bearers Raichur: President Sri Vishnutheertha Sirivar
President from 2014 to 2024, followed by Sri Pranesh Mutalik from 2024.
- 2016
History Sri Vidyashreesha Theertha is ordained
Known before sanyasa as Vidwan D. Prahladacharya, he served as President of the Maha Mandala from 2016 to June 2017, then was ordained a yati of Sri Vyasaraja Mutt.
Office-bearers Maha Mandala President
Vidwan D. Prahladacharya, until 2016–17, when he became a yati of Sri Vyasaraja Mutt. Sri H. N. Narayana Rao is Secretary.
- 2019
Office-bearers President Sri H. V. Gautama
President from 2019, with Sri Shreepada M. Singanamalli as General Secretary.
- 2026
Vidyarthi Nilayas Hubballi hostel turns 60
Celebrated in the presence of Sri Subudhendra Theertha Swamiji of Mantralaya and Sri Vishwaprasanna Theertha Swamiji of Pejawar.
Office-bearers
Those who
led the way.
| Term | President / Vice-presidents | Secretary / General Secretary |
|---|---|---|
| 1953–56 |
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| 1956–59 |
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| 1959–62 |
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| 1962–65 | — |
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| 1965–68 | — |
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| 1968–74 |
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| 1974–80 |
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| 1980–83 |
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| 1983–86 |
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| 1986–89 |
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| 1992–98 |
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| 1998–2004 |
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| 2004–16 |
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| 2016–19 |
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| 2019–22 |
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| Since 2022 |
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Headquarters: Poornaprajna Vidyapeetha, Katriguppe, Bengaluru 560 070.
A revised edition of the history compiled by Sri Shreepada M. Singanamalli, General Secretary of ABMMM.