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{{Infobox temple

| name = Kashi Math

| image = Kashi Mutt VR.gif

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| caption = Deities of Samsthan Kashi Math

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| state = [[Uttar Pradesh]]

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| location = [[Varanasi]]

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'''Kashi Math''' is one of the four spiritual schools followed by [Goud Saraswat Brahmin]s (GSB). It is one of the 24 [[matha]]s of the [[Dvaita]] order. Headquartered in Brahma Ghat, [[Varanasi]], Kashi Math has followers all over the Konkan belt, prominently in [[Udupi]], [[Mangalore]], [[Kochi]], [[Alappuzha]] and other parts of [[Kerala]] and [[Karnataka]].

== Deities ==

The principal deities of Kashi Math are ''charaprathishta'' (“moving installation") idols of [[Vyasa]], [[Rama]] and [[Narasimha]], who is also popularly known as ''Vyasa Raghupathi''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://kashimath.org/the-math/ | title = The Kashimath }}</ref>

== Gurus ==

The Kashi Math follows the [[Guru-shishya tradition]] where the Guru of the Math initiates a ''shishya'' to succeed him upon his death.<ref>{{cite news|title = Guru System of Kashi Math|url=http://kumblenayakaru.in/swamijis.html}}</ref> Sudhindra Tirtha is the 20th "mathadipadi" {head of the math}<ref>{{cite web|title = Mathadipathi of Kashimath|url=http://www.sriveeravenkatesha.org/node/57}}</ref> and Samyamindra Tirtha succeeded him as the 21st and current holder of the position.

== Internal strife ==

For reasons not fully known, serious differences between Sudhindra Tirtha and his appointed successor, Raghavendra Tirtha, have been appeared around 2000–2001 amidst concerns about his insubordination and integrity. On 19 July 2000, the mathadipathi removed Raghavendra Tirtha from his position of successor by making use of an earlier communication his from November 1999 that had requested relief from the tutelage.<ref name="Inte2">{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2000/sep/14jose.htm |title=Gowda Saraswat Brahmin high priests battle it out |publisher=Rediff |date= |accessdate=}}</ref>

Thereafter the tussle among the pontiffs turned into a dispute over the control of the Kashi Math and the ownership of its [[relics]]. Those relics included about 234 pieces of jewellery and silver articles, as well as 27 idols including the main idol of Vyasa Raghupathi. Raghavendra Tirtha had possession of these items but was ordered by court in [[Tirupati (city)|Tirupathi]] to give them to Sudhindra Tirtha. The court upheld the status of the senior pontiff as the ''mathadhipathi'', accepted the junior’s abdication and directed him to return all belongings of the math and refrain from interfering in its affairs.<ref>[http://seshagiriprabhu.wordpress.com/tag/a-case-filed-by-sri-raghavendra-teertha/]</ref>

A petition seeking a stay on the order was dismissed by the [[Andhra Pradesh High Court]]. The [[Supreme Court of India]] also confirmed the same on 2 December 2009 and upheld the High Court order recognizing Sudhendra Tirtha as ''mathadipadi''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kashi Mutt Row: Supreme Court victory for Sudhindra Tirtha Swamiji|url=http://mangaloretoday.com/mt/index.php?action=exclusive&type=8|accessdate=13 January 2013|newspaper=Mangalore Today|date=2 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Saraswat Mutt samsthans|url=http://www.gsbkerala.com/gsbmutt.htm|publisher=GSB Kerala|accessdate=13 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ex-seer of Kashi mutt decamps with relics, jewellery|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_ex-seer-of-kashi-mutt-decamps-with-relics-jewellery_1523131|accessdate=13 January 2013|newspaper=Daily News & Analysis (DNA)|date=23 March 2011}}</ref>

After months of defying various court orders, Raghavendra Tirtha absconded with the relics and was arrested at [[Kadapa]] in October 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=Swami, disciple held, ancient idols seized|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article2583678.ece|accessdate=13 January 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=31 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Fugitive 'swami' caught in Andhra Pradesh|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_fugitive-swami-caught-in-andhra-pradesh_1605368|accessdate=13 January 2013|newspaper=Daily News & Analysis (DNA)|date=31 October 2011}}</ref>

Thereafter in November 2012, the 'parikaras' were handed over to Sudhindra Tirtha.<ref>{{cite news|title=All Sacred Idols restored to Sudhindra Thirtha Swami|url=http://www.mangaloretoday.com/mt/index.php?action=mn&type=4495|accessdate=13 January 2013|newspaper=Mangalore Today|date=28 November 2011}}</ref>

In 2012, Raghavendra Theertha has again made an appeal in the Andhra Pradesh High Court challenging the Supreme Court Order.<ref name="Inte4">{{cite web

| url = http://csis.ap.nic.in/MainInfo.jsp?mtype=CRLP&mno=2565&year=2012

| title = Case Status Information in Andra Pradesh High Court in the Appeal No CRLP 2565 / 2012}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Gokarna Math]] ([[Vaishnavism|Vaishnava]] math)

* [[Shri Gaudapadacharya Math]] ([[Smarta Tradition]] math)

* [[Chitrapur Math]] (Smarta Tradition math)

== References ==

{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==

* [http://www.kashimath.org/ www.kashimath.org]

* [http://www.kashimath.in/ www.kashimath.in]

* [http://www.dahisarsrikashimath.org/ Sree Kashi Math Samsthan – Dahisar]

[[Category:Hindu monasteries in India]]