Kanchi Kāmakoti Pīṭādipati
| Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Basic information | |
| Municipality | Kanchipuram |
| State | Tamil Nadu |
| Country | India |
| Website | www |
| Architectural description | |
| Founder | Sri Adi Shankara |
| Date established | 482 BC |
Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham is a Hindu monastic institution located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu kanchipuram is one of the five pancha-bhUta-sthalas ("Temples denoting the five elements"). The five pancha-bhUta-sthalas or material sites represent earth (Kanchipuram), sky (Chidambaram), air (Kalahasti), fire (Thiruvannamalai), and water (Thiruvanaikoil). It is known as Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, and the head of the matha is referred to as a "Sankaracharya".
The mutt was founded by Adi Shankaracharya, though this is deemed "controversial" and "disputed" by a minority. HH Sri Jayendra Saraswathi, the 69th Shankaracharya and his successor the 70th Shankaracharya, HH Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi are the current pontiffs, before which, the mutt was headed by HH Sri Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati. The Brindavan of Chandrasekarendra Saraswathi is worshipped here.
The Kamakoti Peetam however, traditionally refers to Kamakshi, referred popularly as Kamakoti referring to Goddess Durga. Kancheepuram is referred to as Kanchi. The Vyakarana Mahabhashya of Patanjali uses the word 'Kanchi' and it can be thus understood that the word Kanchi also has a Sanskrit base. Under the guidance of Sureshvarachaya, Adi Shankara appointed Sarvajnatman as the second Peetadhipathi.
As per claims of the Kanchi Mutt, the erstwhile Kumbakonam Mutt, it was established by Adi Shankaracharya in 482 BC though Adi Sankara's historically accepted period is 8th century AD. The following order of guru parampara given by the mutt is subject to proof of existence of the mutt prior to 1823.
The chronological list of Guru Paramapara of the matham follows:
Coordinates: 12°48′58″N 79°41′24″E / 12.816°N 79.690°E
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