The Govardhana matha is located in the city of Puri in Orissa state (India), and is associated with the Jagannath temple. It is one of those four cardinal mathas (monastries) said to have been founded by Adi Shankara, and is the eastern matha. As per the tradition initiated by Adi Shankara, it is incharge of the Rig Veda. A maá¹­ha (also written matha and mutt) is a term for monastic and similar religious establishments of the Hindu religion. ... Puri can mean: Puri, a city in the Indian state of Orissa, which is famous for the Jagannath temple and the serene beaches located there . ... Orissa (2001 provisional pop. ... India is subdivided into twenty-eight states, six union territories and the National Capital Territory. ... Adi Shankara (Åšaá¹…kara, Shri Shankaracharya, Adhi Shankaracharya, Ä€di Åšaá¹…karācārya; the first Shankara in his lineage), reverentially called Bhagavatpada Acharya (the teacher at the feet of Lord) (approximately 8th century, but see below) was the most famous advaita philosopher, who had a profound influence on the growth... The Rig Veda ऋग्वेद (Sanskrit ṛc praise + veda knowledge) is the earliest of the four Hindu religious scriptures known as the Vedas. ...

Its current abbot or Shankaracharya is Niścalānanda Sarasvatī. Sri Adi Sankara Shri Shankaracharya, Adhi Shankaracharya, or Adi Shankara (the first Shankara in his lineage), reverentially called Bhagavatpada Acharya (the teacher at the feet of Lord), Shankara (approximately 509- 477 BC) [1] was the most famous Advaita philosopher who had a profound influence on the growth of Hinduism through...

Note that many Hindus revere the four (Jagadguru-) Shankaracharyas as the four Patriarchs of Hinduism. Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family. ... Basic beliefs What can be said to be common to all Hindus is the belief in Dharma (duties and obligations), Samsara (Reincarnation/rebirth), Karma (actions, leading to a cause and effect relationship), and Moksha (salvation) of every soul through a variety of paths, such as Bhakti (devotion), Karma (action) and...

References

An account of the four amnaya mathas, and the Dashanamī parampāra.