Shri Vishvesha Teertharu

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Sri Vishvesha Tirtharu was the 33rd pontiff in the lineage of the Pejavara matha, tracing back to Sri Adhokshaja Tirtharu, one of the direct disciples of Sri Madhvacharya.

He held the honorary position of president at the Vishva Tulu Sammelana.

Sri Vishvesha Tirtharu established the Poornaprajna Vidyapeetha in Bangalore, which has been operating for over 63 years, training numerous scholars in Vedanta.

He conducted 38 Nyayasudamangalas, which are graduation ceremonies for students of Poornaprajna Vidyapeetha.

In recognition of his contributions and service to society, Sri Vishvesha Tirtharu was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, in 2020.

Sri Vishvesha Tirtharu, born Venkatramana in Ramakunja on April 27, 1931, into a Brahmin family, was initiated into sannyasa at the age of 7 in 1938.

His vidya guru (educational mentor) was Shri Vidyamanya Tirtharu of Shri Bhandarkeri Math, as well as Shri Palimaru Math.

Sri Vishvesha Tirtharu appointed Shri Vishwaprasanna Tirtha as his successor sanyasi Swamiji of Shri Pejawar Math.

He passed away on December 29, 2019, bidding farewell to the material world and departing for the spiritual abode.

Sri Vishvesha Tirtharu assumed his first Paryaya, the turn to worship Lord Krishna at Udupi, at a young age. During his first Paryaya in 1954, he organized the All India Madhva Conference in Udupi.

During his second Paryaya in 1968, he oversaw the repair of the Badagumalige in Udupi.

In his third tenure as Paryaya Swamiji in 1984, he initiated the construction of a new hall at Udupi called Krishna Dhama.

He completed five Paryayas, becoming the second Swamiji after Shri Vadiraja Swamiji of Sodhe Mutt to achieve this feat. His fifth Paryaya commenced on January 18, 2016, and concluded on January 18, 2018.