Ramachandrapura Math

The Sankaracharya of the Shaiva Ramachandrapura Math (monastery) is the guru of the local Brahmins of some parts of Karnataka.^[1][2] He is a celibate, a Havig by birth and is the head guide of many of the Hindus in the North Canara region, especially in Siddapura, Honavar and Kumta. He adds the title bharati to his name.^[2] Lower caste Hindus (such as Bandis who were carpenters, husbandmen and domestic servants) could obtain permission to wear the sacred thread from him. For this they would award him with an annual offering. They then burnt their dead instead of burying them and Śrāddha ceremonies were held.^[3]

The Havigs are Smarts who are either priests or laymen have eight gotras and worship Ganesh and a number of village goddesses called Ammas, like Durgamma, Honnavaramma, Bhairamma, Karkiamma and Kumtamma. Fruits, flowers and sometimes sheep or fowl were offered to the village goddesses.^[4] Social disputes among the Havigs were settled at meetings of the adult members of the community held either under the guidance and control of this Guru or under a headman appointed by the Guru. This headman held power as the delegate of the spiritual guide.^[2] But some of the Havigs of Kumta, Honnavar and Ankola gave up their allegiance to the Ramachandrapura monastery and placed themselves under the Saklapuri math at Mundalli near Bhatkal and called themselves Saklapuris.^[2]

See also

• Raghaveshwara Bharathi

References