# Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati

Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati (born Umashankar Pandey on 15 August 1969) is the current Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math, one of the four cardinal pīṭhas established by Adi Shankara. He is known for his public positions on various religious and social issues.

## Early life and education

Umashankar Pandey was born on 15 August 1969 in Brahmanpur village, Pratapgarh district, Uttar Pradesh, to Anara Devi and Pandit Ramsumer Pandey. He received his primary education in his village. According to local news sources, he is reported to have undergone preliminary religious initiation at the age of eight. He later pursued higher education at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in Gujarat. However, specific details regarding his field of study at this institution are currently unavailable.
Subsequently, he moved to Varanasi under the guidance of Shankaracharya Swaroopanand Saraswati. He continued his Sanskrit studies at Bajoria Sanskrit College and Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, where he obtained an Acharya degree in Navya Vyakarana (New Logic Grammar). During his time in Varanasi, he also assisted Swami Karpatri Maharaj during his final days, participating in daily rituals.
During his university years, he was involved in student politics, and was elected as Vice President of the Student Union as an independent candidate, and later as President of the Student Council.
He has an elder brother, Girija Shankar Pandey, and six sisters. Two of his sisters have taken sanyas (monastic vows).

## Spiritual career

In 2000, Umashankar Pandey received initiation (diksha) into sanyasa (monastic life) from Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, becoming Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati. He spent many years under Swaroopanand Saraswati's tutelage, studying Vedanta and other Hindu scriptures, and assisting in the administration of the Jyotir Math.
Following the death of Swaroopanand Saraswati in September 2022, Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati was formally appointed as the Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math.
However, his appointment was immediately met with legal challenges and disputes regarding the proper succession process. Notably, the Sringeri Sharada Peetham raised objections, leading to a legal dispute that reached the Supreme Court of India.
The Supreme Court temporarily halted his coronation ceremony while it considered the matter. Further information regarding the eventual outcome of the court case needs to be added as it comes available.
His spiritual teachings and public discourses focus on Advaita Vedanta, emphasizing the non-dual nature of reality, and the importance of upholding traditional Hindu values. He has also been actively involved in various religious and social movements, as detailed in the following section.

## Public positions and controversies

Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has taken public positions on various social and religious issues, which have resulted in controversies. These include:
* Ganga Andolan: He participated in the movement to purify the Ganges River, culminating in the government declaring it a national river in 2008.
* Mandir Bachao, Kashi: In 2018, he opposed the demolition of ancient temples during the construction of the Kashi Corridor, holding protests and padyatras.
* Cow Protection: He has advocated for a nationwide ban on cow slaughter and the declaration of the cow as "Rashtra Mata." He has urged political parties to pledge against cow slaughter ahead of elections.
* Gyanvapi Mosque Dispute: He has been involved in the ongoing dispute regarding the Gyanvapi Mosque in Varanasi, advocating for Hindu rights to pray at the site. In 2022, he announced plans for a puja at the Gyanvapi Mosque site, leading to police intervention and a hunger strike.
* Ram Mandir: He served as a key witness for the prosecution in the Ram Mandir case, providing evidence related to the birthplace of Lord Ram.
* Coronation Dispute: His appointment as Shankaracharya was legally challenged, with allegations of disputed succession. The matter is also reported to have involved the Sringeri Sharada Peetham.
* Statements on Caste: He publicly disagreed with statements made by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat regarding the origins of caste.
* Kedarnath Temple Allegations: He made claims concerning missing gold from the Kedarnath Temple, which were subsequently disputed.
* Political Statements: He has made statements praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which generated public discussion particularly after previous criticism of the Ram Mandir inauguration.
* Legal Actions: He has been involved in legal disputes, including filing a defamation suit against Govindanand Saraswati.
* A 10-year-old video of him facing police action in Varanasi was falsely shared on social media as a recent incident.