History of Math

During 7th Century the Saraswats of Uttara Kannad and Dakshina Kannada got relocated to different places of India, in search of employment. Majority of them reached Mumbai, which is one of India's four largest cities. One by one the strength of member of Sarasvatas went on increasing. People in the city of Mumbai needed a place to gather. There was the necessity of one place for the meeting of Saraswats. Sarsaswats never forgotten their Kuladevatas and Gurupeetha. For marriages, Upanayanas and other religious rituals it was necessary to visit Partagali to seek the guidance of the Swameeji. To overcome this Shri Dwarakanath Teertha Swameeji (22) decided to construct a Math at Wadala of Mumbai and purchased a site for this purpose. For the laying of foundation stone for the building Shri Swamiji entered Mumbai by coastal route through Gate Way of India. The way in which the public gathered at Gate Way of India and welcomed Shri Swameeji is immemorial in the history of Mumbai.

On 22-12-1950 Swamiji after laying the foundation stone, formed a Committee for the construction of the vastu. After obtaining required permission from the Mumbai Municipality, obtained blue print of the proposed vastu from the engineers, collected required building material and completed the construction and inaugurated the new vastu “Shri Dwarakanath Bhavan” in Shake 1876 Jaya Samvatsara Magha Shukla Dashami by the lotus hands of Shri Kashi Mathadhish Shri Sudheendra Teertha Swamiji. Swamiji was desirous of installing the Deva Pratimas at this place where lot of religious activities were taking place. Accordingly in Shri Shake 1887 Vishwavasu Samvatsara Magha Shukla Ashtami Swamiji installed the statues of Shri Rama, Laxman and Seeta. On account of regular annual Shri Rama Navami, Anna Santarpana and the only Brahad Rathotsava, this place has become famous as the “Ayodhya of South”. As said, wherever there is Ram, there is Hanuman; co-incidentally there is a Temple of Alabela Hanuman in front of this Ram Mandir.

Ganapati Festival in Wadala is also one of Mumbai's most famous Ganapati festivals. This religious festival, which lasts for eleven days, is attended by Mumbai's most prominent figures, national level politicians and celebrities. The Ganeshotsava Committee is renowned as the largest institution in our society for providing scholarships to the students of our society. Every year, the Ganeshotsava Committee conducts a program of action, honoring the talented students and giving the necessary scholarship to the needy students.

Shantikunj Sevashram at Panvel is one of the institutions coming under the administration of Wadala Math. It is providing all type of facility to Aged members of our community. This project, spread over 13 acres of land, which is at a distance of 40 k.m away from Mumbai comprises of facilities like, A Marathi Midium school, Medical facility one rooms, beautifully designed temple, wide road for walking, common dining hall with one and two beds, two bedded independent houses. This is a safe and silent place is far away from the drastic city life of Mumbai.

This branch of Gokarn Math “Shri Rama Mandir of Wadala” established due to the farsightedness of Shri Dwarakanath Teertha Swameeji has raised the status and banner of our community.