BHUBANESWAR, INDIA, November 16, 2019 (Hindustan Times): The Odisha government passed an amendment to free Puri’s famous Govardhan Math from state control on Saturday following persistent demands by the Puri Shankaracharya. The amendment gives Puri Math parity with the other three Hindu monasteries of Dwarka, Shringeri and Joshimath, all established by Adi Shankaracharya and managed without government interference. Law minister Pratap Jena said the amendment to the Hindu Religious Endowment Act, 1951 was made keeping in mind the “religious pre-eminence and importance” of the Govardhan Math and will exclude it from the “religious institutions” defined under the act. Set up in the 9th century, the Govardhan Math is the oldest Math in Puri and one of the four important Hindu dhamas (holy abodes) established by Adi Shankaracharya.
The State government indirectly controlled the Puri Math since Lord Jagannath, who is the religious owner of the Math’s properties, is considered a perpetual minor. The state controls over 16,000 temples and 450 Maths or Hindu monasteries through government appointed trustees and Mahants (priests) for the day-to-day management and is the sole arbiter as regards to the sale of Math properties. The state government’s decision follows criticism of the recent demolition of several ancient Puri Mutts associated with the Jagannath temple, including the ancient Vaishnavite monasteries– the 700-year-old Emar Math, 300-year-old Languli Math and 521-year-old Bada Akhada Math. The Puri Shankaracharya has been against the demolition of the monasteries.