Peeth
Uttaramnaya Jyotirmath Peeth (Joshimath, Uttarakhand)
उत्तराम्नाय ज्योतिर्मठ (ज्योतिष्पीठ), जोशीमठ
Uttaramnaya Jyotirmath, also called Jyotish Peeth, at Jyotirmath (Joshimath) in Uttarakhand, is the northern Amnaya Peetha of the Shankara tradition.
Overview
Jyotirmath is the Uttaramnaya (northern) seat, associated with the Atharva Veda and the Mahavakya Ayam Atma Brahma ("This Self is Brahman") from the Mandukya Upanishad. Tradition places Totakacharya as its first head.
History
According to press histories the seat remained vacant for a long period before it was revived in 1941 with Swami Brahmananda Saraswati. Since 1953 the headship has been claimed by rival lines, and Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati's claim from 1973 was contested by Swami Vasudevanand Saraswati.
Succession matter
After Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati died in September 2022, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati was declared Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth on 12 September 2022. On 15 October 2022 a Supreme Court bench stayed his coronation in the pending succession case. As of the review date of this page, the final verdict was still awaited. Sampreshan presents this matter neutrally and does not take a position on it.