STHALA PURANAM – (HISTORY)
The Paramacharya directed him to start Veda classes on Advaita philosophy as propounded by Adi Sankara for people interested in learning. Thus, the journey of a divine dream began, guided by Paramacharya, which has culminated as the beautiful Sri Sankara Mattham in Matunga, serving as a Centre for Learning of Vedas and Vedanta for thousands of spiritual aspirants.
As directed by the Paramacharya, Sri Subramania Sastrigal, fondly called as Mylapore Sastrigal, started the classes in his one-room tenement at Room No.218, Mahavir Building with a handful of students. Soon the word spread and many students joined the stream. Compelled by space constraints, the classes were shifted to Room No.1 & 2 Mohan Mansion (now known as Dadbhawala Mansion) with Sri Sundareswara Dikshitar as the teacher. At this point fifty devotees joined and resolved to found an institution for these activities. The inaugural meeting was held in July 1939 under the chairmanship of Sri Manthreswara Sharama, a renowned journalist. Shri. S Raghunathan, a well known personality in the community, was elected the First President. The Sankara Mattham continued to function from this premises. The year 1943 was a momentous year in the history of the Mattham that eventually shaped its future. During that time, Dr. Kulapati M Munshi, founder of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan was on the look out for a learned scholar to head the Bhavan’s activities in its efforts to strengthen the influence of Sanskrit. At that time, Shri. Venkateshwara Dikshitar, a great scholar was on his way from Tirupati to Jaipur to head the Sanskrit Patashala there. As per the advice of Paramacharya, Dikshitar met Shri Nagasundaram Iy34, an ardent devotee of Paramacharya, who introduced him to Dr. Munshi. He asked him to accept the Acharyaship of the Sanskrit Mahavidyala that Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan was creating in Mumbai. Soon as if willed by Providence, Shri Nagasundaram introduced Shri Venkateswara Dikshitar to Sankara Mattham and the rest is history.
Sri Venkateswara Dikshitar was one of the greatest scholars of that time regarded highly by the Acharyas of Sringeri and Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. He had masterly grasp of Adi Sankara’s works and philosophy. He was a great orator in Sanskrit and was fluent in English. The nobility of his character drew many admirers to him.
Such was the greatness of Dri Dikshitar that the then President Shri Raghunathan spontaneously stepped down and offered him the post of President of Sankara Mattham which Dikshitar adorned for 23 long years. Dikshitar supported by legendary Shri. B. Narayanaswamy, a leading advocate, who had a keen interest in Vedic culture and many other leading personalities like Shri. A.R. Narayanaswamy in building a strong spiritual foundation for Sri Sankara Mattham.
A committee headed by Sri Dikshitar visited Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam and Sringeri Peetham to seek the blessings of the Acharayas. Kanchi Acharya blessed the Mattham with a Bhana Lingam, the Panchayatanam and Sandalwood Acharya Padukas. The Sringeri Acharya blessed the Mattham with a Ganapathi Idol and Saligramama for daily pooja.
In 1959, Shri M Venkatramaiah, a disciple of Sri Venkateswara Dikshitar presented a marble idol of Adi Sankara to the Mattham. This came to be the main deity installed in Sankara Mattham. In 1954, with the support from the members and public, Sri Sankara Mattham took a big leap forward with the acquisition of Srinivasa Building in the prime location of Matunga. Several programmes were organised for fund raising for building the Temple at the newly acquired premises. The Public was involved in the activities and contributed immensely by the door to door collection drive.
Sri Dikshitar’s demise in 1966 was a big loss to the Mattham. However his vision and repeated call for a Temple for Adi Sankara stayed in the minds of devotees. Following his footsteps, a new team of devotees took up the Temple building activities with full vigour. Shri. V. Kumarakrishnan, Shri. S. Srinivasan, Shri. R. Kannan, Shri. P.N. Vencatesan, Shri. J. Jayaraman deserves special mention in helping the Mattham realize the dream of Sri Subramania Sastrigal and Sri Venkateswara Dikshitar.
In 1977, Bhoomji Puja was performed in the august presence of Pujya Sri Swami Dayanand Saraswati attended by eminent personalities. At this juncture, the Paramacharya instructed that a well be dug first in the premises to provide water for daily Poojas. Merely by studying the floor plan submitted to him for direction, Paramcharya identified the spot at which the well had to be dug. At the very spot a well was dug and water was obtained. Sankara Mattham is a rare temple with its own source of water for Nitya Pooja. The first step of construction of well took about one year. Many problems and issues cropped up. The Sthapathi for the temple recommended that a Raja Dwara Ganapathi be built to begin with, to remove hurdles in execution and to facilitate smooth progress and timely execution of the project. These were the masterstrokes, as if choreographed by the Lord itself. Thus a beautiful, unique temple started taking shape. On May 10, 1978 under the Presidentship of Shri. B. Narayanaswamy this wonder and unique Temple was consecrated by Sri Sankaracharya of Dwaraka Peetam, HH Sri Abhinava Sachchidananada Teertha Swamiji. The Kumbhabhishekam and Pratishta of all the deities (Shanmatha Staphana) was performed as enjoined in the Sastras.
The Mattham has expanded its activities beyond the confines of its premises and supports centres for Vedic learning in places like Viluppuram, Tamil Nadu and Pandharpur, Maharashtra. Every 12 years, Kumbhabhshekam has been performed. The Mattham also had the privilege of receiving and hosting many Acharyas. Sri Sankara Mattham today is a centre that instils highest values in people to be rooted in our glorious Vedic culture. The activities are conducted with strict adherence to vedic rituals. Classes teaching Vedas, Sanskrit are conducted regularly. Lectures on Vedanta take place regularly.
The temple stands as a testimony to an ardent devotee’s dream, the vision of great Acharya, the untiring efforts of the many who gave shape to this dream and vision and the abiding faith of thousands in the richness of Vedic Heritage.
Prathishta day
The Kumbhabhshekam of Sri Sankara Mattham was help on May 10th 1978 which was also Akshaya Tritiya. Every year the Mattham celebrates the Prathishta day on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya.
The special event for the day is celebrated in the to start with Surya Namaskaram followed by Kalasa Abhishekam to all deities, new Vastram, Archana, Neivedyam & Deeparadhana.