The Kanchi Mutt may not be among the four major mutts established by Adi Shankaracharya, but it is widely revered as it was the Hindu seer's abode.
Ramji Mishr, a Sanskrit scholar from Allahabad, told PTI-Bhasha that the Kanchi Kamakoti Mutt, led by Shankaracharya Jayendra Saraswathi, has contributed immensely to the current structure of the Kedarnath Temple.
The Kanchi pontiff, regarded as one of the most influential spiritual leaders of his time, died in Kancheepuram today at the age of 82. He was the 69th spiritual heir of the Kanchi Mutt, established by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century.
According to Mishr, it is believed that Adi Shankaracharya established four mutts: Badrikashram Jyotirpeeth in the north, Dwarka's Shardha Peeth in the west, Govardhan Peetha in Puri in the east, and Sringeri Sharada Peetham in Chikkamagalur district, Karnataka.
He said Adi Shankaracharya established the Kanchi Mutt to reside there. A few scholars believe that Adi Shankaracharya too died at the Kanchi Mutt, while others say he died in Kedarnath.
Another Sanskrit scholar and retired IPS officer Arun Upadhyay said all the mutts have contributed prominently to the spread of classical knowledge. The Kanchi Mutt has a special contribution to this discipline.
Kancheepuram is situated about 47 kilometres from Chennai. According to mythology, it is among the seven Mokshapuris - sacred cities.
The Shankaracharyas of Kanchi Mutt are held high by devotees because of their scholarly traditions. Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi was the 68th Shankaracharya of this tradition. He was a polyglot and died in January 1994 at the age of around 100. He had named Jayendra Saraswathi the 69th pntiff of the Kanchi Mutt.
Shankaracharya Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi had travelled across the country on foot and he had also donned khadi to support the Indian freedom struggle and Mahatma Gandhi. He met Gandhi in 1927 in Kerala.
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