Kanchi Matha

Kanchi Matha

Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham is a Hindu monastic institution located in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, one of the five pancha-bhUta-sthalas (Temples denoting the '5 Elements'). It is known formally as Shri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, and claims to have been founded by the Adi Sankara The head of the matha is referred to as a "Sankaracharya", a title that is also applied to the heads of the four Adi Sankara mathas.

The Kanchi matha has been gaining prominence since the 18th century, when it was at Kumbakonam. Some accounts claim that it was founded there as a branch of the Sringeri matha, and branched out afterwards. Today it is one of the most important religious institutions of South India.

Kanchi matha came under a cloud in November 2004, after a former employee was murdered.