SrI Lakshmivallabha Tirtharu

SrI Lakshmivallabha Tirtharu was ordained the 18th Pithadhipati by Sri Ramachandra Tirtha. The saint happens to be the Purvashrama younger brother of Sri Ramachandra Tirtha. His Holiness seems to have moved from Rayavellore to Belur as tradition indicates that the saint happened to be the Kulaguru of the Kings of Belur – that were associated with Vijayanagara royals. The king had also donated two villages: Yelahanka and Shettihalli to the Srimatha.

His Holiness seems to have been a scholar par excellence not only on Tattvavada but also on the other Darshana – schools of Hindu Philosophy – as can be evinced clearly from his honorific title ‘Shad Darshana Sthapaka.’ Out of the saint’s many compositions, only one that goes by the name “Prabhata Panchaka Stotra” exists as of today and is regularly recited in early morning times.

The saint anointed Sri Lakshminatha Tirtha to the Pitha and attained Haripada at Belur. During the time of Sri Vidyapayonidhi Tirtha, the Vrindavana was relocated to Tirumakudalu to facilitate daily worship.