Sri Jagadguru Tontadarya Sansthan Math, Dambala-Gadag has a rich history and tradition. After Lord Basaveshwara, Siddhalinga Swamiji of Sri Niranjana Jagadguru Tonta gave Kayakalpa to Veerashaivism. Because of that Mahaswamiji, Tontadarya Mutt grew. Its contribution to the earth in religious and social fields is immense.
Sri Jagadguru Tontadarya Sansthan Math is 416.5 km from Bangalore and only 750 m from Gadag city by road.
This Math is under the able guidance of many Jagadgurus. Sri Ardhanareeshwar, who is known as the ‘second Siddhalingeshwar’, is one of the Shiva yogis. His life-tomb at Dambala is still the object of admiration for millions of devotees. Then the 16th Jagadguru Siddhalingeshwar Mahaswamiji was also one of them. He was popularly known as ‘Lakkundi Jagadguru’. After him, the monastery began to lose its power.
It began to regain its influence again in 1974 when Siddhalingeswara Mahaswamiji of Sri Tonta became Jagadguru. He has been working hard for the betterment of the Math and the society for 25 years. Now due to his sincere efforts the Math is running more than 50 educational institutes, vocational training institutes. It has donated land and money to many schools and colleges. Apart from this, the University of Agriculture is doing the work of creating awareness about new scientific farming practices.
Farms are managed in Dambala, which is a model for farmers. To encourage the farmers, the Math conducts cow milking competitions every year during the ‘Jatra’. It is not just another religious institution, but it plays diverse roles in serving the people of Gadag and surrounding areas.
