ಪರಕಾಲ ಮಠ | |
Monastery information | |
---|---|
Full name | Bramhatantra Swatantra Parakala Matha |
Denomination | Sri Vaishnavism |
Established | 1268 |
People | |
Founder(s) | Sri Brahmatantra Swatantra Jeeyar |
Important associated figures | Thirumangai Alvar, Vedanta Desika, the Wadiyars |
Site | |
Public access | Yes |
Website | https://www.parakalamatham.org |
Bramhatantra Swatantra Parakala Matha, commonly known as Parakala Matha, is a Hindu Sri Vaishnava monastery founded during the Hoysala Empire in 1268 at Mysore, Karnataka, primarily worshipping Vishnu and Lakshmi as Hayagriva and Vargeshi.[1] It is the first mediaeval era monastery of the Vadakalai denomination within Vaishnavism in the Hindu society and is the gurupeeta, the seat of the royal guru, of the maharajas of Mysore.[2]
Originally founded in Mysore where its headquarters has been based, the matha has branches across southern India and as well as one abroad.
The Maharajah's Sanskrit College in Mysore was older, more prestigious and 'sacred' than the Chamarajendra Sanskrit College in Bangalore. Both these colleges received patronage from the Sringeri Matha (a Smarta institution) and the Parakala matha (a Srivaishnavite institution, the official Gurupeeta [seat of the teacher] of the Mysore king).