Community life in India is closely linked with spiritual and religious institutions for the past five thousand years. The Rishis have been the beacon and guiding forces in upholding the moral values of life and in the progression of society as a whole. The glorious Suttur Math is a reflection of and testimony to this rich tradition.

Sri Jagadguru Veerasimhasana Suttur Math with a long history of more than one thousand years is a multi-dimensional institution of the Veerashaiva community that has contributed immensely to the cause of societal advancement. The welfare activities of the Math transcend the sectarian limits of the Veerasaiva community and encompass a much wider and larger following of all the sections of Indian society.

The founding of the Math can be traced to a historical event linked with Sri Shivarathreeshwara Shivayogi Mahaswamigalu crusading for peace between two warring kingdoms. The hostility between Rachamalla IV of the Gangas of Talkad and Rajaraja of the Cholas was about to break up into a large scale war. It was due to the timely intervention of SriShivarathreeswara Swamiji the hostility ended and the enemies became friends. Then it was on the request of Rajaraja, the Swamiji graciously condescended to establish a Math on the banks of the river Kapila at Suttur near Mysore. Thus the divine intervention brought back harmony and prosperity in a region that would otherwise have seen nothing but a scene of bloodshed and destruction – a fact that resulted in the realization dawned on both the kings and those involved in the development of the Math.

The inscriptional evidences support the establishment of Suttur Math during the reign of Chola kingdom. The name of Shivaratri Shivacharya is mentioned in many ancient works such as Panditaradhya Charita, Shivacharya Chudamani and Gana sahasranama. The tradition handed down from one pontiff to another indicates that the said Shivaratri Shivacharya is the founder of Suttur Math. The inscription No. 164 of Nanjangud discloses the glories of Suttur Math at the time of Rajendra Chola. The above inscription refers to grants and gifts in the form of lands and other facilities to the Math by Rajendra Chola.

Sri Eshana Eswara Wodeyar, the second pontiff was responsible for further development of the Suttur Math during the times of Rajendra Chola. The Someswara temple near the Math at Suttur which is said to have been constructed by the Chola kings, in accordance with the wishes of Sri Eshana Eshwara Wodeyar. An inscription referring to this event is dated 23rd October 1032.

Sri Suttur Veerasimhasana Math can most aptly be described as an active ongoing movement to uphold the cause of social and economic justice, based on spiritual values and ideals. No wonder today the Math’s activities at Suttur have spread far beyond the small region on the banks of the river Kapila in Karnataka to touch the lives of millions – going beyond the boundaries of our country, and even to the distant shores of the western nations.

A quick look at the lineage of the Math brings to light the unswerving societal concern of the Pontiffs. If the founding of the Math was incidental to establishing harmony and peace between two warring factions of the region by its founder, Sri Shivarathreeshwara Shivayogi Mahaswamiji, the Pontiffs who followed saw purpose in promoting academics, literature, healthcare, infrastructure, etc. These noble tasks have attracted royal and societal attention and inspired both the rulers and the community to tread the noble, religious and austere path under the Pontiffs’ guidance.

Thus a mission that began with the purpose of establishing peace grew with the contribution of each one of the Pontiffs of the illustrious lineage that followed. Each Pontiff chose his own route to further the advancement of society and the betterment of life. The magnificent stature that the Sri Suttur Math enjoys today is thus the cumulative result of their initiatives, efforts and actions.

The Veerasaiva religion this Math professes has all along found expression in the teachings and words of innumerable saints and seers as well as writers and philosophers. The worship of Shiva means ‘tolerance and love to all living beings’ and ‘regarding work as a means of worship’. Balanced on these twin philosophies, the Veerashaiva faith has been instrumental in bringing about reforms of tremendous social significance as envisioned by Sri Basaveshwara, socio-religious reformer in the 12th century.

Suttur Maths activities have spread far and wide in India and abroad – through an impressive list of educational institutions, free boarding hostels, medical and healthcare units, literary and cultural centres, agricultural research facilities, etc. The Math strives for an overall development of human society through the means of teaching and learning and inculcating spiritual values and aiding economic upliftment.

The Math is backed with the services of over 15,000 dedicated personnel working in the institutions managed by it. At any given point of time, over 50,000 students study in its educational institutions which range from kindergartens to Post-Graduate technical and medical education institutions in both rural and urban centres. Nearly 3 lakh patients are treated in the hospitals and clinics run by the Math every year while millions participate in the spiritual gatherings and cultural festivals organized periodically by the Math. Through the various schemes of the agricultural research facilities made available, thousands of farmers are benefited in the region.

With its administrative head-quarters located at the foot of the picturesque Chamundi Hills, in the erstwhile princely city of Mysore, Sri Suttur Veerasimhasana Math is today recognized as a major mission, and is drawing seekers of knowledge and wisdom in large numbers. The activities of the Math have drawn accolades from various quarters from the layman to the head of states.

This phenomenal growth of the Math’s activities, gradual but consistent in the early decades of the 20th century have assumed larger dimensions and made deeper penetration in the last two decades in terms of the benefits reaching more number of people. In the earlier centuries the Pontiffs devoted much of their energies to strengthening of the spiritual and religious faith of its followers, and thus established a strong base for the socio- cultural developmental work subsequently. The multidirectional efforts of the earlier Pontiffs in furtherance of the cause have led to the magnitude of work the Math has undertaken today.

“Work is Worship” – the mantra that guides the Math is enshrined in its emblem. “Selfless Service” is the spirit behind every task that the Math undertakes and since the service is considered to be an offering to Lord Shiva, its purity and intention are of utmost importance. It is thus natural that the rewards conferred on society cannot be easily quantified.

Sri Suttur Veerasimhasana Math over the centuries has grown to be a multidimensional religious, cultural and educational movement. Spearheading the Math’s educational initiatives is Jagadguru Sri Shivarathreeswara Mahavidyapeetha (JSS MVP), founded by the 23rd Pontiff, Jagadguru Dr. Sri Shivarathri Rajendra Mahaswamiji. What began in 1928 with a small hostel for poor students pursuing higher studies in Mysore has today grown to be a gigantic educational movement. With over 310 institutions under its fold, from kindergartens to post graduate centres, JSS MVP caters to the educational needs of over 50,000 students.

From crèches for toddlers of working rural women, schools to impart primary and secondary education in both local language and English medium, colleges, polytechnics, institutes of technology, medicine to gurukulas, in almost every sphere of education that has relevance, JSS MVP has a leading role to play.

With extensive infrastructure and an army of dedicated, highly qualified personnel, these institutions are located in such a way as to serve a wide spectrum of society – from virtually inaccessible tribal villages to metropolitan cities such as Bangalore, Noida, Ooty and at a few places in America, Mauritius, Dubai and South Africa.

Formal education apart, the initiatives stretch to integrated rural development through training and empowering of rural folk, reaching out healthcare through modern and traditional Indian streams of medicine, patronizing literary activities, visual arts, performing arts, restoration of temples and historical monuments. The coming together of lakhs of people whose lives are impacted by these initiatives during the fairs and festivals organized by the Math to commemorate the birth anniversaries of the pontiffs is an indication of how successful it has been in reaching out and making a difference to their lives.

The JSS MVP is actively investing in knowledge and inspiring a sense of innovation and discovery in thousands of students in the pursuit of a progressive society. A progressive society, with traditional values, that has stood the test of time.