Salutations to beloved members of the community
“यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत।
अभ्युत्थानम् अधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्॥”
That is, I incarnate in every era to protect the Dharma.
According to this quote from the Bhagavad Gita, at the beginning of Kaliyuga, God incarnated as Jagadguru Shri Adi Shankaracharya. He traveled from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, imparting religious and spiritual enlightenment to all people. To continue this work, he established four Peethas in all four directions of India. Numerous Mathas were subsequently established, including the Haldipur Vaishya Kulgurumath.
This Matha has a very ancient history. It was previously located in the Kashi pilgrimage area. Due to the Mughal invasion and cruelty in North India, many Hindu brothers and our ancestors moved to Karnataka, located in the Vijayanagara Empire of South India. While living in Kashi, our ancestor regularly worshipped Mahadev Vishweshwara. With the intention of continuing his worship of Lord Shiva even after returning to South India, he spent some time in the Gokarna Mahakshetra, the site of the Atmalinga of Lord Mahadev.
It is difficult to determine the exact time of the establishment of the Vaishya Kulagurumatha in Kashi. However, there is mention of a former guru named Sri Sri Shantashram Mahaswamiji who came from Kashi during the Vijayanagara Empire in South India. His successor, Sri Sri Krishnashram Mahaswamiji, was first given land by Queen Chennamma of the Keladi Kingdom of Karnataka in the famous Haldipur village, located 30 km from Gokarna. His successor, Sri Sri Shantashram Mahaswamiji, was also given land for the second time by Maharaja Sri Somshekhar Nayak of the Keladi Kingdom. His successor, Sri Sri Krishnashram Mahaswamiji, received a special order from the 30th Jagadguru of Sringeri Sharadapeetha. This confirms that the relationship between the gurus and disciples of the Sringeri Math and Haldipur Math dates back to ancient times.
His successor, Shri Shri Shantashram Mahaswamiji, is mentioned to have traveled with elephants, horses, hundreds of priests, and numerous attendants. His successor, Shri Shri Krishnashram Mahaswamiji, after a long journey through Maharashtra, while returning from Goa to Haldipur, resided for a while in a village called Angadi near Karwar at the request of his Vaishya brothers. Due to his old age, he attained Mahasamadhi there.
His successor, Shri Shri Shantashram Mahaswamiji, like all his gurus, was well versed in the Vedas and scriptures and had been leading all the sects of Shri Gurumath in an excellent manner. He had immense compassion for all his disciples. However, due to the misfortune of our Vaishya community, the Vaishya community of that time neglected the service and management of Shri Guruji and Shri Gurumath. Due to this, Shri Shri Shantashram Mahaswamiji had to run the Gurumath by taking money as a loan from others.
The loan shark repeatedly approached Guruji, insisting he return his money. Guruji explained the situation and promised repayment once devotees performed the service. However, for several days, the disciples were not allowed to perform the service. Finally, the loan shark requested a valuable item in exchange for the money — the Lord’s adorned ornaments. Reluctantly, Guruji surrendered the Lord's ornaments.
That night, the lender dreamt of the trunk containing the jewelry on fire. Frightened, he found it blackened in the morning and returned the ornaments to Guruji, begging for his money back. When Guruji could not repay, the man forcibly transferred the Gurumath's land to his name. Deeply saddened by the plight of the Gurumath and the neglect of the community, Guruji vowed not to appoint a successor and took Jal Samadhi (water samadhi) in 1882. This became the main reason for the decline of the Vaishya community.
Thereafter, the Sri Gurumath fell into disrepair. Fortunately, in 1903, devotee Shri Narasimha Giddashet Walke from Honnavar secured the return of the land after legal battles up to the High Court.
In 1959, the Vaishya Education Society Trust in Mangalore sought astrological guidance, which revealed that serving the Kulguru was essential. Research on the Vaishya Kulguru Math was conducted under Shri Vithobasheth Nagvekar. In 1971, Mumbai businessman Shri Premanand Vaidya visited the Sri Gurumath for the first time. Saddened by its condition, he dedicated his life to restoring the Math and the Guru tradition. With Vaishya brothers across Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, and Maharashtra, the temple was renovated in 1974.
In 1992, while searching for a worthy successor, astrologers identified Mr. Upesh Babu, son of Shri Gopal Shet and Mrs. Vrinda of Cochin, Kerala. It was foretold that he would be the future Guruji, born on November 2, 1981.
His spiritual education was completed under the divine guidance of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharatitirtha Mahaswamiji of Sringeri. On 8 March 2004, Chitrapur Mathadhish Sri Sri Sadyojat Shankarashram Mahaswamiji initiated him into renunciation, and he received the yoga patta of Sri Sri Vamanashram. On 12 March 2004, Sringeri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharatitirtha Mahaswamiji performed the Gurupattabhisheka, blessing him to continue the Vaishya Kulguru tradition.
Our present Mathadhish, Parampujya Sri Sri Vamanashram Mahaswamiji, continues this divine work with daily Japa, Tapa, Puja, and Aradhana for the welfare and development of the Vaishya community. He travels across India — Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh — guiding devotees in education, health, and business.
At present, the Math runs a primary school, Sri Bharatitirtha Vedashastra Pathshala, daily food donation, and cowshed. Renovation work is ongoing for the Pushkarni Tirtha Sthan, construction of Brahma Rath, Pathshala building, and guest rest house. A new Shakhamath is being built in Gokarna and another at the Samadhi Sthan in Angadi, Karwar. Plans are also underway at Shankargiri near Haldipur for Veda Pathshala, Sri Vasavi Kanyaparameshwari Temple, Arogyadham, and Dhyana Mandir.
Community upliftment programs are conducted regularly — Balsanskar centers for children, satsangs for adults, health and yoga camps, business training, youth and mothers’ conferences, and annual Upanayan (Yajna Upavit) ceremonies. Gurupattabhisheka Vardhanti and Chaturmas Vrat Utsavs are celebrated each year.
Let us, proud members of the Vaishya community, awaken and unite to regain our former glory. Let us utilize our full potential, sacrifice, and service to strive for self-improvement and social progress.
For contact: 9481454195 / 9823162199
This is a brief description — for complete information, a detailed book is available.