|| H. H. Shrimat Shankarashram Swamiji -I (Shirali) ||
(1720-1757)

During the last years of His regime, our first Guru had ordained Shrimat Shankarashrama Swamiji belonging to the family of Haritekars (Koundinya Gotra) as His successor. At the time of ordination, a solemn promise was made to Him by our people in writing that they would be faithful to Him and would follow all His religious observances.The Swamiji's family henceforth came to be known by the title of Shuklabhat. Undertakings were also given to the Guru that the Community would remain faithful to the Math. It was during HIS regime that Basappa Nayak II of Nagar made land grants to the Math by a gift deed dated 1739. He reclaimed some of our people who had become followers of one of the Udipi Swamis and were using the Vaishnav marks on their person. In 1757, He had been to Shirali where He fell ill and stayed as the honoured guest of the Nagarkattekars. He succumbed to His illness(Ananda, Phalgun Sh-5) at the house of this family and His samadhi was built on the very site of this house which they donated in His honour.

The image of Shri Bhavanishankar stands by the side of this samadhi and it is from this time that the Math has been called as Chitrapur Math. In view of the loyal and loving gift of the site made by them, the Nagarkattekars' family has been receiving the first honour (pailo veedo) in the Math during all the ceremonies.

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