Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji

|Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji
Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji2023-05-19T11:39:34+00:00

Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji

The present pontiff, the 24th Peethadhipathi of Jagadguru Sri Veerasimhasana Mahasamsthana Math, Sri Suttur Kshetra, and the President of JSS Mahavidyapeetha, assumed responsibilities in 1986. He received his spiritual training under the guidance of his illustrious predecessor.

His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji is the Chancellor of JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru, a health science-based Deemed University, and JSS Science and Technology University, Mysuru, a private technological university.

His foresight and an inclusive and global vision have made it possible for JSSMVP to extend its activities beyond Karnataka and the nation. Propelled by spiritual guidance, inspiration and the leadership of HH Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji, JSSMVP is home to more than 300 Institutions, two universities, 100,000 students and over 20,000 employees. The JSSMVP has reached out with its helping hand to people from all walks of life – from the almost inaccessible tribal villages to metropolitan cities, and making its imprint in the states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, besides making its inroads overseas in Mauritius, Dubai and the United States of America. The Mahavidyapeetha can easily be described as one of the region’s largest education providers and employers.

The earnest efforts of His Holiness to address the challenges of society in areas such as literacy, health care, employment generation and societal work have been lauded and recognized by one and all. His vision and inspirational guidance have prepared JSS institutions to match 21st-century expectations and needs.

His Holiness Swamiji, as the religious head, has been responsible for several pathbreaking initiatives that supported the emerging needs of a multicultural and tolerant society. He established the ‘Bharathiya Samskruthika Parishath’, an all-India body, by providing collective leadership involving heads of different religions intending to take up activities that could benefit humankind.  He has been instrumental in providing momentum to the vision of His Excellency Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the then President of India, to start ‘Foundation for Unity of Religions and Enlightened Citizens (FUREC)’. His Holiness has also taken the initiative of spreading Indian spirituality and culture in the United States of America, by establishing JSS Spiritual Mission in Maryland, USA. Besides, Swamiji is promoting the values in the Indian tradition and culture for the benefit of different sections of Indian society through various other activities like retreat camps, celebrating the birth anniversary functions of the earlier pontiffs of Suttur Math & other important religious leaders, messages through house-to-house visits & organizing fairs, jatras for the benefit of urban & rural people.

HH Jagadguru Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra Mahaswamiji is engaged in enabling the dissemination of knowledge available in our scriptures and spiritual texts through publications and the establishment of Gurukulas (centres for training future religious heads). He also guides the leaders of the society & ordinary people through constant interactions, which will help the society to bring harmony.Believing in the words of his predecessor that “Ignorance is the cause of many social evils and knowledge is one of many remedies,” Swamiji has steered and guided the JSS Mahavidyapeetha to evolve into a significant learning centre. He actively oversees the activities of JSSMVP, which has more than 300 educational institutions spread over Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi in India, and Dubai, Mauritius and the USA internationally.

As a social reformer, he addressed the systemic inequalities in the education system by advocating for policies that provide equal access to educational opportunities. His works in education have led to significant improvements in the education system, including establishing public schools, expanding access to higher education, and developing inclusive and diverse curricula. This has helped create a more equitable and just society by providing individuals with the tools and skills to succeed and contribute to their communities.

To foster the overall development of individuals and create valuable citizens for the country, JSS educational institutions prioritize value-based education and invest in state-of-the-art facilities. Many of these institutions have partnerships with renowned universities, research, and industrial organizations within and outside India, including the USA, UK, Australia, Ukraine, Finland, Japan, France, Italy, Singapore, and Malaysia. These collaborations are integral to the formal programs offered by the institutions. The student population in these institutions is over 60,000.

HH believes it is essential to uplift economically deprived communities by creating economic growth and development opportunities. Everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed, regardless of background or circumstances. To achieve this goal, he has advocated for policies that support education, job training programs, entrepreneurship, and community-led initiatives in economically deprived communities. He addresses systemic poverty-related inequalities, such as unequal healthcare, accommodation, and education access. These initiatives help create sustainable solutions that address the root causes of poverty and uplift disadvantaged communities.

His Holiness has devoted a free residential school at Suttur to provide education to economically deprived members of society. The school enrolls over 5,000 children from various districts in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, irrespective of their caste or creed. The institution, inaugurated in 2003 by H.E. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former President of India, offers contemporary amenities to the students, costing Rs. 15 crores. This exceptional school has captured national attention.

In pursuit of fulfilling the aspirations of his mentor, Dr. Rajendra Swamiji, to provide educational opportunities for physically and mentally challenged children, the following institutions have been established:

The Polytechnic for Physically Challenged, a pioneering institution in India, strives to integrate differently-abled individuals, including those with hearing and visual impairments, into the mainstream of technical education. The institution employs special gadgets that facilitate learning.

Two schools for special children, ‘SAHANA’, located in Bengaluru and Mysuru, were established to provide the confidence and skills necessary for these children to lead a normal life in society.

The philosophy of Veerashaivism emphasizes the importance of ‘Dasoha,’ or giving to the needy. His Holiness embodies this philosophy in his daily life through his tireless efforts to serve others.

Under the Akshara Dasoha scheme, 82 schools serving 10,000 children in Yelandur Taluk, a backward taluk in Chamarajanagar district, are provided with free mid-day meals every day.

Additionally, nearly 10,000 children receive mid-day meals in three other locations at Chamarajanagar, Ramapur, and Shivapur centers. More than 5,000 students are also provided with free daily meals in.

Wedding ceremonies can be financially burdensome, especially in India. Many parents struggle to organize their daughters’ weddings, and economically disadvantaged families face even greater challenges. Recognizing this, His Holiness has taken on the responsibility of facilitating 200 marriages annually through the ‘Mass Marriage’ program during the annual Jatra Mahtosav. All wedding arrangements are provided free of cost for 200 couples. In addition, the Math organizes a monthly ‘Mass Marriage’ program at Suttur to assist couples in need.

Under the guidance of His Holiness, the JSS Medical Trust was established to provide healthcare facilities to the rural masses and economically weaker sections. The trust operates a 1,600-bed teaching hospital in Mysuru and a dental hospital that can treat 800 patients per day. Additionally, it runs an Ayurvedic hospital in Mysuru, a Naturopathy hospital in Coimbatore, and manages primary healthcare centers in Suttur and Hadinaru villages under the Arogya Bandhu Yojana. The trust has collaborated with Narayana Hrudalaya, Bharath Cancer Hospital, and Vikram Hospital to adopt Suttur village and transform it into a model health village. Furthermore, it has implemented a tele-medicine program in a backward district of southern Karnataka.

Efforts have been made to improve the livelihood of the farming community by introducing technological advancements in the agricultural sector. In collaboration with ICAR, a Krishi Vignan Kendra has been established, which has implemented various techniques such as Vermiculture soil testing and online field demonstrations. This program, costing Rs.15 crore, was implemented under SGSY with the help of the Government of India and Government of Karnataka. The objectives of the program include identifying 400 villages for local seed production, establishing 20 seed processing units in different districts, and setting up 50 horticulture nurseries and 20 chawki rearing centers across the state, implemented in two phases.

Sri Deshikendra Swamiji has been making great efforts to restore and preserve the treasure of Indian culture and art. Alongside, initiatives are being taken to pass on these treasures to the next generations by fostering the interest of younger generations in our art and culture.

A Sharana Sahitya Parishat has been established in Bengaluru, with district units, to propagate the Vachanas of Basava and other religious leaders. Additionally, a Sangeetha Sabha has been set up to promote music and culture.

A Kala Mantapa has also been opened to promote various forms of art. To cater to the cultural needs of society, a community centre is functioning in Bengaluru and Delhi.

The JSS Urban Haat, which was started in Mysuru, is promoting artisans and nurturing the taste for artefacts among the younger generation.

The collaboration of spiritual organizations plays a crucial role in upholding societal values. By working together, they can promote virtues such as compassion, love, and harmony. These organizations can also help create awareness and understanding of social issues and encourage people to work towards a better future for all.

  • H H Dalailama, Spiritual leader â Buddism, Tibetan settlement in India, New Delhi
  • Himalayan Institute of Yogic Sciences, Dehradun – H H Sri Swami Rama
  • Prajapita Brahma Kumari Eshwari Vishwa Vidyanilaya, Mount Abu – H H Brahma Kumari Janaki Dadiji
  • Art of Living, Bengaluru – Sri Sri Ravishankar Guruji
  • Sri Akshardham â Gandinagar, Gujarat – H.H Narayan Swami Temple
  • H H Acharya Maha Prajnaji, Surat
  • Sri Ni. Pra. Swa. Shivakumaraswamiji of Siddaganga Math, Tumkur, Karnataka
  • Sri Siddeshwara Swamiji of Gnana Yogashrama, Vijayapura Dist. (earlier Bijapur), Karnataka
  • Jagadguru Sri Shivamurthy Shivacharya Mahaswamiji of Sirigere Math, Taralabalu, Karnataka
  • Padmashree Sri Dr. D Veerendra Heggade of Dharmastala, South Canara, Karnataka
  • Sri Vishwesha Threertha Sri Padangalavaru of Pejavar Math, Udupi, Karnataka
  • Jagadguru Sri Balagangadharanatha Mahaswamigalavaru of Adichunchanagiri Math, Mandya District, Karnataka
  • Sri Sri Ganapathi Sachidananda Mahaswamji of Sri Avadootha Datta Peetam, Sachidananda Ashram, Mysuru, Karnataka
  • Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Mahaswamigalavaru of Shravanabelagola, Hassan District, Karnataka