The Mutt is presently headed by the 17th Guru in succession, Dr. Sri Mummadi Shivarudra Swamiji, who is a scholar and orator in Sanskrit and Kannada. His work and progressive vision for the Mutt endeavors to meet the best satisfaction of every person.
Sri Maralegavi Mutt is an ancient Ashram, which was established by Sri. Thontada Siddalingeshwara Swamiji and run under the management of his disciple, Sri. Shivayogi Munishwara Swamiji. It has since progressed with unique contributions from 16 parampara Swamijis, and in present succession is Dr. Sri Mummadi Shivarudra Swamiji.
The previous Guru of the Mutt, Sri. Ma. Ni. Pra. Swa. Charamurthy Sri Kalagni Rudramuni Maha Swamiji, headed the Mutt as the 16th parampara Swamiji in succession. The present day educational institutions run under the management of Maralegavi Mutt – Sri Shivayogi Munishwara Swamy Vidyapeetha ® – was started by Sri Kalagni Rudramuni Maha Swamiji with 6 students by imparting Sanskrit lessons.
Today, his teachings have spread to impart various faculties of education with free boarding & lodging for about 1000 and more students at the head-quarters of the Mutt, and the same to many more students studying in institutions outside the head-quarters.
Sri Maralegavi Mutt was founded around six hundred years ago and is now, one of the ancient Veerashaiva Mutts in the Southern part of Karnataka. It is located about 70 kms from Bangalore, and 12 kms south of Kanakapura, in the Kanakapura Taluk, Kanakapura – 562 117, Ramanagara District. It is enroute to Sangama, which is the famous confluence of the Cauvery and Arkavathi rivers. This place is well known as “Mekedatu” by the local population.
The Mutt is situated admist a serene agricultural land of about 120 acres dry land and 25 acres of wet land. Today, it has become an ideal agricultural resource, producing a record yield in paddy, millets (Ragi), Jawar, Gingelly, Ground Nuts, Toor dal, Horse grams (Hurali), and Coconuts. The produce is used for the provisional and nutritional requirements of staff and students enrolled in the educational initiatives of the Mutt.
The Mutt was founded by Sri. Holiness Thontada Siddalingeshwara Swamiji. This was the holy place, where Sri Swamiji had performed a deep penance for 48 days and had had the divine glimpse of Lord Shiva. Following the blessing of this divine experience with Lord Shiva, Sri. Siddalingeshwara Swamiji began his mission of preaching the illustrious practices of The Veerashiva Dharma. His teachings were promulgated on the banks of Arkavathi river, within the deep forest, surrounded by the lush green hills, and dwelling among the wild animals. Sri Siddalingeshwara Swamiji is known to have performed his meditation with his 600 disciples in a cave, which is when he coined the name SRI MARALE GAVI MUTT. Over the following years Sri Swamiji has been revered and worshiped as the living God by his disciples in Karnataka and other parts of India also.
To this date, Sri Swamiji is revered by the inhabitants in and around the Mutt. It was in honor to the humble requests of the inhabitants at the time, that Sri Swamiji Siddalingeshwara established an Ashram under the ale management of his efficient disciple by name Sri. Shivayogi Munishwara Swamiji. In continuity to the representation and tradition of the Mutt, there has been progress with unique contributions from 16 parampara Swamijis. In present succession is the 17th Guru, Dr. Sri Mummadi Shivarudra Swamiji, leading the work and progressive vision of the Mutt to meet the best satisfaction of every person.
