Shri Shri Shri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji is popular with the masses as well as scholars and draws large crowds wherever he goes. Born to a devout and pious couple, Sri Govindacharya and Smt. Kamalamma in 1961, he was named as Hayavadhana before Shri Sugnanendra teertha, then pontiff of Puthige mutt chose him as his worthy successor in 1974. The young ascetic spent his first few years after sanyasa in strict self-discipline and arduous study under the renowned Sri Vidyaranya Theertha Swamiji. He has been blessed with the opportunity of performing three paryayas till date- in 1976, 1992 and 2008.
(Paryaya is a religious ritual which takes place every alternate year in Krishna Mutt (Krishna Temple) of Udupi. The puja and administration of Krishna Mutt is distributed among the Swamijis (seer or monk or pontiff) of Ashta Mutt’s established by Dvaita philosopher Sri Madhvacharya.) 
In order to rekindle a sustained interest in our glorious cultural heritage and time-tested moral values in the minds of the people, Swamiji has established two magazines – “Suguna Maalaa” in Kannada and “Suguna Digest” in English. In addition, he has authored many books on religion and philosophy apart from contributing to many learned articles for many periodicals.
It was in recognition of his outstanding services to the cause of religion and his incessant crusade for morality, that the unique honor of chairing the Sarva Dharma Sammelan in India was conferred on him at a very young age. He also played a crucial role in the Philosophers’ conference held in Pune and the World Conference of Hindus held in Nepal.
Swamiji was elected as the President of the World Conference on Religion and Peace for a term of five years. The Washington Post, an internationally renowned paper, highlighted the Swamiji’s personality and achievements as a tribute to his greatness. He presided over peace conferences held in Jordan, South Africa and Russia. He was felicitated as “Honorary Ambassador” by the Governor of Oklahoma. He heads over 35 religious and spiritual institutions in India and abroad.
Swamiji has a life-long attachment to the Geetha and its glorious message. He has never let go of any opportunity to propogate this holy book. He believes that it is becoming more and more relevant to the modern world with each passing day. During his paryaya, the Swamiji implemented a novel scheme to read aloud the verses of the Geetha every day in the divine presence of Lord Sri Krishna at Udupi. Since it consists of 700 verses, the swamiji organized discourses for 700 days.
One of the issues that had been troubling Swamiji was the fact that there were numerous memorials and monuments commemorating Presidents, Kings and other figures, while there was no fitting tribute to the Geetha, the greatest philosophical work available to mankind. This monument would serve as a nerve centre or fountain head from which would flow forth the eternal nectar of this godly book. Hence, the Geetha Mandir was designed after paying a lot of care and attention to the aesthetics as well as the spiritual aspects. It was inaugurated on 1st December, 1993 by the then ruler of Nepal, King Birendra Bir Bikram Shahdev.
Reference:
Puthige Mutha website–> http://www.shreeputhige.org/homepage.shtml
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