Adi Shankaracharya

Adi Shankaracharya was born around 788 AD in Kaladi village of Kerala. Adi Shankaracharya was the first philosopher who consolidated Advaita Vedanta, one of the sub-schools of Vedanta. He believed in the greatness of the holy Vedas and was a major proponent of the same. Not only did he infuse a new life into the Vedas, but also advocated against the Vedic religious practices of ritualistic excesses. He founded four Shankaracharya Peethas in the four corners of India, which continue to promote his philosophy and teachings. Adi Sankaracharya biography reveals that he was also the founder of Dashanami monastic order and the Shanmata tradition of worship.

The Four Adi Shankaracharya Peethas: Vedanta Jnana Peetha, Sringeri (South India), Govardhana Peetha in Jagannath Puri (East India), Kalika Peetha, Dwaraka (West India), Jyotih Peetha, Badrikashrama (North India)