The Kanchi matha is known formally as Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. It is a religious institution based in Kanchipuram. Its head is referred to as the "Shankaracharya". During the later 20th century, it became one of the most influential institutions of Hindu religion in India.

Its current head is Jayendra Saraswati. The appointed successor to the current head is Vijayendra Saraswati.

History

The matha's official history states that it was founded by Adi Shankara of Kaladi, and that Jayendra Saraswati is its 69th head in succession. A related claim is that Shankara came to Kanchipuram, and that he established the Kanchi matha in a position of supremacy (Sarvagnya Peetha)

This claim is disputed. Alternative accounts state that the matha was established much more recently in Kumbakonam, as a branch of the Sringeri matha, and that it later declared itself independent. However, the list of successive Acharyas with their year of birth and death which date back to 5th century B.C, have been published by the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. The Kanchi Matha seems to have been moved from Kanchipuram to Kumbakonam during the 18th century when Hyder Ali invaded the region. Archeological evidence in the form of stone architecture depicting the Shankaracharya and the epigraphy by the side situated inside the precincts of the Matham indicate that the Matham is 2500 years old. Other sources, give the place of his death as Kedarnath in the Himalayas. See references below, and the article on Adi Sankara.

Guru parampara

Chronological list

1. Sri Adi Sankara Bhagavatpada
2. Sri Suresvaracharya
3. Sri Sarvajnatman
4. Sri Sathyabodhendra Saraswati
5. Sri Jnanandendra Saraswati
6. Sri Suddhanandendra Saraswati
7. Sri Aanandaghanendra Saraswati
8. Sri Kaivalyanandayogendra Saraswati
9. Sri Krpa Sankarendra Saraswati
10. Sri Sureswara
11. Sri Sivananda Chidghanendra Saraswati
12. Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati
13. Sri Satchidghanendra Saraswati
14. Sri Vidyaghanendra Saraswati
15. Sri Gangadharendra Saraswati
16. Sri Ujjvala Sankarendra Saraswati
17. Sri Bogusrendra Hushushwati
18. Sri Sadasivendra Saraswati
19. Sri Shankarananda Saraswati
20. Sri Martanda Vidyaghanendra Saraswati
21. Sri Muka Sankarendra Saraswati
22. Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati II
23. Sri Bodhendra Saraswati
24. Sri Satchisukhendra Saraswati
25. Sri Chitsukhendra Saraswati
26. Sri Satchidanandaghanendra Saraswati
27. Sri Prajnaghanendra Saraswati
28. Sri Chidvilasendra Saraswati
29. Sri Mahadeve11dra Saraswati I
30. Sri Purnabhodhendra Saraswati
31. Sri Bhodhendra Saraswati II
32. Sri Brahmanandaghanendra Saraswati
33. Sri Chidanandaghanendra Saraswati
34. Sri Satchidananda Saraswati
35. Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati III
36. Sri Chitsukhendra Saraswati
37. Sri Chitsukhanandendra Saraswati
38. Sri Vidyaghanendra Saraswati III
39. Sri Abhinava Sankarendra Saraswati
40. Sri Satchidvilaasendra Saraswati
41. Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati II
42. Sri Gangadharendra Saraswati II
43. Sri Brahmanandaghanendra Saraswati
44. Sri Anandaghanendra Saraswati
45. Sri Purnabhodhendra Saraswati II
46. Sri Paramasivendra Saraswati I
47. Sri Sandranandabhodhendra Saraswati
48. Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati IV
49. Sri Advaitanandabodhendra Saraswati
50. Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati III
51. Sri Chandrachudendra Saraswati I
52. Sri Kamachandrendra Saraswati 0
53. Sri Vidyateerthendra Saraswati
54. Sri Sankaranandendra Saraswati
55. Sri Purnananda Sadasivendra Saraswati
56. Sri Vyasachala Mahadevendra Saraswati
57. Sri Chandrachudhendra Saraswati II
58. Sri Sarvajna Sadasiva Bhodhendra Saraswati
59. Sri Paramasivendra Saraswati II
60. Sri Atma Bodhendra Saraswati
61. Sri Bhagavannama Bodhendra Saraswati
62. Sri Advaitatma Prakasendra Saraswati
63. Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati IV
64. Sri ChandrasekharendraSaraswati V
65. Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati V
66. Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati VI
67. Sri Sudarsana Mahadevendra Saraswati
68. Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati VII
69. Sri Mahadevendra Saraswati V
70. Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati Swamigal
71. Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal
72. Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswati Swamigal