Several Hanuman temples consecrated under Dvaita Sampradaya during 1783-1794 A.D. by Madhwa peetadhipathi Sri Satya Sandha Theertha belonging to Uttaradi Math have been identified by a team of scholars that belong to the Math after conducting a survey.

The evidence and information in the form of pictures reports were submitted to Sri Satyatma Theerthulu, the present chief pontiff of Uttaradi Math, Bengaluru (headquarters of Swamiji) and a copy was also sent to Mahishi, Theerthahalli taluk in Karnataka, the sacred place base of the Madhwa school of philosophers.

The team members Mazumdar Rama Rao, S. Nagaraj, Jammy Venkata Krishna Rao reached Rajamahendravaram on Tuesday and also submitted a copy to the town-based octogenarian and Historian Yathagiri S. Rama Narasimha Rao. Speaking to media persons here, Mr. Narasimha Rao said that Sri Satya Sandha Theertha Sreepada had occupied the exalted position in the order, Parampara, of gurus of Dvaita Sampradaya of Uttaradi Math during 1783 – 1794 (A.D.).

During his South India tour, (two centuries ago) many Anjaneya idols were consecrated by Sri Satya Sandha Theertha and arrangements were made for ‘nitya dhoopa- deepa-naivedyas’.

The most important among them were the 108 idols installed at different places between Nellore (Andhra Pradesh) and Ganjam (Odisha). The importance of the idols has diminished over the two centuries and several of them were in a highly dilapidated condition, he said.

Pilgrim centres

Motivated and inspired by the Swami, an attempt was being made to identify and connect these precious 108 pilgrim centres and restore their past glory, he said.

During the course of identification at different places and areas, the team had not only considered the information given Mr. Rao, but also interacted and discussed with elderly people, saints, villagers, devotees and philosophers of the respective areas. After a search of four and half years, the team was able to identify around 85 ‘kshetras’ where idols were consecrated by his holiness Sri Satya Sandha Theerthulu.

Out of the idols identified, around 40 were located in East and West Godavari districts. More than 200 years ago majority of these centres were under Dvaita Sampradaya (Madhwa families) but now they were under various cult and most of the present archakas were unaware of the fact that the idols were consecrated by his holiness Sri Satya Sandha Theerthulu, he said.

During his South India tour, (two centuries ago) many Anjaneya idols were consecrated by Sri Satya Sandha Theertha and arrangements were made for ‘nitya dhoopa- deepa-naivedyas’