History of Math

Shri Jeevottama Teertha, the 3rd Swameeji of Math Tradition made the pilgrimage to the Himachal and visited Gokarna kshetra and reached the Wadera Math in Bhatkal. Previously there was a dwelling near the Kotiteertha in the possession of the Wader Math. One of the Ashtamathaas of Udupi, the Sode Math, requested for a stay for a few days and then took a different turn, claiming that the place of Kotiteerrtha belonged to them only. Matter was referred to the Court and settled that the place belonged to the Wadera Math. In memory of the recapture of the land that was formerly owned by them, they installed the statue of Vithoba, which they found during their Gandaki Teertha Yatra and renamed it as Bhoovijaya Ramachandra . Thus a branch of the Math was established in Gokarna. In the days when there were no trains and buses, ordinary people who could not go for Kashi yatra would go to Gokarna; popularly known as Dakshina Kashi; to perform pitru karya and kshetra darshana. As the Math became popular, visitors strength increased, available space became insufficient to the growing need, and a new spacious Math was constructed by acquiring spacious land.

Bhatkal was a well-known port on the west coast, importing goods from Vijayanagara times and exporting domestic goods such as rice, sugar and spices. British Portuguese and Dutch were in business. The Portuguese established their own colony in Bhatkal and ruled along the west coast of Goa and they were collecting royalty from the local kings by way of Sugar and rice. Since 1510, local Muslim businessmen and Portuguese traders have been involved in trade disputes. In a quarrel that took place in 1516, local merchants killed 24 Portuguese and looted about 10,000 Pounds worth goods. In 1518, when the officer of the Bhatkal refused to pay tribute (kappa) to the Portuguese, Portuguese came in 3 ships and prevented the merchant ships coming to and from the port of Bhatkal. The Bhatkal officer, who had entered into a compromise, gave the usual tribute (kappa). And this continued for the next 20 years. Then in 1542, when the Queen of Bhatkal refused to pay tribute (kappa) again, Marathim Afonso D'Souza, the governor of Goa, seized the port of Bhatkal by attacking with two-ships and 1400 warriors, entered the town, lit fire to the dwellings and shops, killed lot of civilians. This has caused fear and insecurity among the people.

Looking into the arsonry, looting oof the property and killing of the innocents by the Portuguese Traders, Shri Jeevottam Teertha Swamiji decided to treat the calm and quiet Gokarna as the Central Math and transferred Bhatkal Math to Gokarna, for the benefit of visiting disciples

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