Murugharajendra Mutt
Sri Jagadguru Murugharajendra Math (the Math), Chitradurga, Karnataka State, (India), is a unique Lingayat Math. Its cultural history goes back to the period of Shiva-Sharanas of 12 century A.D.
Since the most important social revolution took place during this period, under the stewardship of Sri Basaveshwara it is considered as an important land mark in the history of Karnataka. Sri Basaveshwara organised the people oppressed under caste system and strived hard for their social, economic and cultural upliftment. He established the Anubava Mantap which was a forum of sharanas to work against the evils of society. Sri Allama Prabhu, a sharana of highest spiritural order, was made Chairperson of the forum. This position has traditionally been known as Shoonya Peetha.
The history of the Math is so vast as it is traditionally known to be the Shoonya Peetha which is believed to have been established by Basaveswara, enthroned by Allama Prabhu and succeeded by Chenna Basavanna. Further the Peetha being succeeded by great personalities like Thontada siddalinga Yati,Siddhaveeranna Odeya, Gaganadayya, Kattigehalli Siddhalingadeva, was stationed at Chitradurga by Shanthaveera Desika (Murige Swamiji).
The Math's history is more clear from the period of 17th century when the Nayakas of Chitradurga popularly known as Palegars got constructed two Precincts of Maths, one is on the hills of Chinmooladri and the other at its bottom. It is the later where the present enclave of Math's buildings is located. The Math has been propagating the ideals of sharanas and rendering service to the society in many ways, since its inception. It has started educational institutions and branch Maths in nooks and corners of the State to reach the people. It has AbOUT 120 institutions at present for general education. Seers of Math enthroned in this Shoonya Peetha at different times have relentlessly worked for the ProgresS of this institution. They have been working successful in guiding the people to materialise the dreams of Sharanas, in spite of the opposition from conservative fundamentalists within the lingayatism. Because of their efforts and commitment, today, the Math is recognised for its secular functioning.
Within two or three decades after the establishment of the Math, hundreds of branch maths were established in various parts of South India, due to the religious influence on the people. The local public began to call the branch maths as "Virakta maths" and "Many maths", to show their devotion. For these branch maths, the rulers like those of Keladi, Kodagu(Coorg), Sode(Swadi), Harapanahalli, Mattodu, Tarikere, Hagalawadi, Savanur, Sirasangi, Lakshmeswara, Mysore, Urnmattur, Punganur, Kolhapur, etc., including Muslim Nawabs and the subjects of all communities showed respect and released so many grants. This clearly indicates the secularism and the greatness of the math.
Sri Shivamurthy Sharanaru, the present pontiff of the math formerly was in charge of branch maths one at Sirsi (North Kanara District) and another at Haveri (Dharwad District). Since then he has developed a deep concern in social service and literature.
The math has many branches spread throughout the states of Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh & Tamil Nadu, beside has many Basava Kendra's throughout the world, to spread Basava Dharma.
Starting from Sri Murige Swamiji I to the present Sri Shivamurthy Swamiji, twenty pontiffs have adorned the religious seat of the Mutt.
The mutt running various educational institutions under the banner Sri [[Jagadguru Murugharajendra Vidya Peetha.]]