Ayodhya Ram Temple Inauguration: Who Are The Four Shankaracharyas And Their Significance?

Ahead of the Ayodhya Ram Mandir inauguration, the top four Sanatan Hindu Dharma spiritual leaders, also known as 'Shankaracharyas,' have become a point of attraction. The decision to not attend the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodhya on January 22 has been made by the four Shankaracharyas, although a statement supporting the event has been issued by two of them.

Meanwhile, the construction of the temple has been emphasized by Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth in Uttarakhand, who stated that it doesn't signify a victory of Sanatan Dharma. The Shankaracharyas of Shringeri and Sharda Peeth have confirmed their participation in the sacred ceremony that will be conducted on January 22, reported News 18

Photo Credit: X- @thatmarineguy21

Full-scale preparations are underway for the grand inauguration of the temple, expected to draw dignitaries and individuals from various backgrounds. Noon on January 22 has been set by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust as the moment to install the idol of Ram Lalla in the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram Temple. The Vedic rituals for the Pran-Pratishtha ceremony of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya are scheduled to commence on January 16, one week before the main ceremony. Let's understand who are Shankaracharya and their significance.

Who was Adi Shankara?

The title "Shankaracharya," in fact, is derived from Adi Shankara, a Vedic scholar credited with reforming and reviving Hinduism during a time when Buddhists and Jains wielded influence. Born in Kaldi village of Kerala in the month of Vaishakha in 788 CE (this, however, has been disputed by some scholars), Adi Shankara, also known as Jagadguru, had a short life (it is believed he died when he was just 32) but had a significant impact on Hindu religion, reported India Today.

Revered as an avatar of Lord Shiva, it is believed that he mastered the Vedas when he was just 16. At a very young age, the Vedas were mastered by Shankara, who started crisscrossing the length and breadth of India to spread his commentaries on Brahma Sutras, Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita amid a rise in Jainism and Buddhism.

Having only one motive -- to propagate his philosophy of non-duality or Advaita -- Shankara's philosophy posits that God and humans are not two, and the material world is an "illusion." In simple terms, the proclamation to the world that unity underlines the apparent diversity was what he aimed for.

His philosophy rejects matters relating to caste and law codes, etc. Shankara's goal was to unify the different sects and their rituals of Hinduism.Extensive travel to the four corners of India and the establishment of four monasteries in four cardinal directions to take forward his teachings and philosophy were undertaken by Adi Shankara.

The Four Shankaracharyas

The top four Shankaracharya, who head four major Hindu mutts, are based in Uttarakhand, Odisha, Karnataka, and Gujarat.

Shankaracharya Swami Shri Nischalananda Saraswati

The Shankaracharya of Puri Gowardhanpeeth, Swami Nishchalanand Saraswati, is the 145th Sankaracharya of the Govardhana Peetha at Jagannath Puri, Odisha. He took the responsibility of the Peetha as its head on February 9, 1992.

Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand

Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand looks after all the ceremonies and activities in Jyotir Math in Uttarakhand - which is one of the four cardinal pithams established by saint Adi Shankara. He reportedly took over the responsibility in 2006.

Shankaracharya Bharati Teerth

Shankaracharya Bharati Teerth of Sringeri Sharda Peeth is the 36th Shankaracharya of the Peeth.

Shankaracharya Sadanand Saraswati

Sadanand Saraswati is the Shankaracharya of Paschimannaya Dwarka Shardapeeth, which is one of the four cardinal peeth established by the saint Adi Shankara. Located in Gujarat's Dwarka, it is also known as the Kalika mutt.

How important Shankracharyas are?

The legacy of Adi Shankara is preserved and interpreted by the four pontiffs, who play a crucial role in the preservation and interpretation of sacred Hindu scriptures. Mediation between different schools of thought within Hinduism is conducted by them. The oversight of the Dashanami Sampradaya, an order of renunciates (those who have renounced the secular way of life), is also under the purview of the Shankaracharyas.

Currently, the positions are held by Swami Nishchalanand Saraswati as the Shankaracharya of Govardhan Math, Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati as the Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math, Swami Bharati Teerth as the Shankaracharya of Shringeri Peeth, and Swami Sadananda Saraswati as the Shankaracharya of Dwarka Peeth.

It should be noted that the peethas draw thousands of devotees every year but should not be confused with the four dhams. Established by Adi Shankara, the four dhams, known as Char Dham, are located at Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri, and Rameswaram. The peethas are primarily associated with the preservation and propagation of Hindu philosophy.