The current Swastishri Lakshmisen Mahaswami Bhattarakratna
The current Mahaswami attained his initial training at the Matha itself under his Guru’s guidance. Due to his intelligence, devotion, scholarship and humility, he ascended the post of the Pontiff of the Matha at Kolhapur. He accepted Deeksha on 2nd August 1965 at a vibrant ceremony which was attended by Acharya Shri Anantkirti Maharaj and Acharya Shri Vimalsagarji Maharaj.
The progress of the Matha has been on a fast track ever since as he guides and devises novel schemes that brings together members of the community.
He was born in Tamil Nadu in 1942 on Auguest 2nd. He came to Kolhapur Matha in 1952 under the wings of the then Gurumaharaj and learned the religious and contemporary aspects. He even went on to get his B.A. and M.A. (Prakrit and Arhdmagadhi) post his ascension to the Peetha.
He also passed the Sanskrit Kavyatirth exam. He has been on a tour of England, Canada, Nepal, etc. in 1987, 1989 and 1993 respectively.
Swastishri Lakshmisen Bhattarak ( 1916 – 1965 CE)
For someone who was a polyglot, expert in Astrology, religious preacher, scholar of sculptures and the holy texts, a thorough disciple, ideal teacher, the Bhattarak of the Kolhapur Peetha has put the city on the world map. He was born in Vandvasi Tehsil of Gudlur village in Tamil Nadu in 1916 and took the holy vow in his childhood. He went on to contribute towards cultural, social and educational fields for over half a century with all his might. He was qualified to speak with authority about Jain religion and culture.
He was an expert when it came to consecration of the newly created idols and conduct of the Panchkalyan in the most proper manner. Hence, he would head several such events across the country with much aplomb, a tradition which is alive even today.