Math

(often translated as “monastery”) A
dwelling place for ascetics; usually a
large, well-settled dwelling for a number
of ascetics belonging to an established
order. The four most famous maths are
believed to have been established by the
philosopher Shankaracharya: the Jyotir
Math in the Himalayan town of
Joshimath; the Govardhan Math in the
city of Puri, on the Bay of Bengal; the
430
Marut
Sharada Math in the city of Dwaraka
on the Arabian Sea; and the Shringeri
Math in the town of Shringeri in
southern India. These maths are the
headquarters for the four major
groups in the Dashanami sect
Sanyasis, renunciant ascetics who are
devotees (bhakta) of the god Shiva.
Although most maths do not have the
status of these four, they all serve as
ascetic and religious centers.