Welcome To Shri Jagadguru Tontadarya Samsthana Math, Dambal, Gadag

The great ‘Lingayat Parampre’s’ one end is Shoonyapeeth (Virakt Parampare) at Basava Kalyan and the other end is Yedeyur-Dambal-Gadag Tontadaryamath. The Shoonya Peeth which was ascended by Allamaprabhu in 12th century was further ascended by shri Tontad Siddhaling Shiva yogi in 15th century after 300 years. So the Tontadarya Math is the inheritor of the historical great Virakt Parampare. Thus Tontadarya Math is spiritual head of the Lingayat Community.

The pontiff’s of this math were towering spiritual personalities who rendered remarkable service in the field of social transformation. The math received royal patronage in the past from time to time in the form of gifts and donations. The Dmabal math got built by Keladi rulers stands as a beautiful piece of architecture. They donated gold ornaments, gold paduke and valuable carpets embedded with precious stones. In 19th and 20th centuries, the eminent lingayats like Lingaraj Sir Desai of Sirasangi, Raja Lakhamagouda Sir Desai of Vantamuri, Artal Rudragouda and Sir Siddappa Totappa Kambali were the disciples of the math and worked incessantly for its well being and development.

The math once upon a time owned 7000 acres of land and 500 branches math’s in Karnataka, Andhrapradesh, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Thus math became a trend setter by bequeathing its lands to its devotees at different periods of its glorious history for their welfare and service.