Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Math is located at Partagali village in Canacona Taluk, South Goa. The Math stands beautifully on the banks of the Kushavati River, surrounded by dense greenery, making it one of the most peaceful spiritual centres of Goa.
The Math was established around 1476 CE, making it nearly 550 years old.
It is one of the oldest Vaishnava Maths of the Goud Saraswat Brahmin (GSB) community and is considered the first and most important Dvaita Vaishnava centre for GSBs in Goa and the Konkan region.
Partagali Math follows the Dvaita philosophy of Sri Madhvacharya and worships forms of Lord Vishnu.
The main deities of the Math are:
Lord Veera Vittala – a powerful form of Lord Vishnu worshipped especially by devotees of the Konkan and Karnataka regions.
Lord Rama – the seventh avatar of Vishnu, worshipped here with devotion and daily rituals.
The Math also preserves ancient idols, scriptures, and sacred items carried across many generations of pontiffs.
The architecture of Partagali Math reflects a traditional Konkan-style monastic complex.
The Math has a beautiful entrance, open courtyards, prayer halls, and living quarters for the Swamiji. The sanctum is simple and elegant, radiating purity and devotion. The highlight of the premises is the majestic 500-year-old Peepal tree, which spreads its branches like a giant umbrella, symbolising the long spiritual history of the Math.
There are shrines for the main deities, meditation rooms, Vedic study areas, and samadhis (Vrindavanas) of the earlier Swamijis. The river flowing nearby adds a serene beauty to the entire setting.
Shree Samsthan Gokarn Partagali Math is the spiritual headquarters of the Vaishnava Goud Saraswat Brahmins.
The Math was founded by Shri Narayana Tirtha Swamiji, who belonged to the lineage of Sri Madhvacharya’s disciple through the Palimaru Math of Udupi.
In the 15th century, when the Saraswat community spread along the Konkan coast, there was a need for a central religious institution to guide them, preserve rituals, and promote Vedic learning. Shri Narayana Tirtha chose the sacred banks of the Kushavati River to establish this, Math.
Over centuries, the Math guided the spiritual, educational, and cultural life of the community. It served as a refuge during the Portuguese era, protecting traditions when many Hindu institutions were under pressure. The Math preserved ancient manuscripts, idols, and customs that continue to this day.
There is an unbroken lineage of 23 Swamijis, each contributing to growth, renovation, education, and revival of Vaishnava practices.
According to the traditional Sthalapurana, the location of Partagali was chosen because the sage Parashurama had sanctified the Konkan land, making it highly suitable for spiritual practices. The Kushavati riverbank was known for its divine vibrations, where many sages had meditated in ancient times.
Shri Narayana Tirtha Swamiji, during his travels, reached Partagali and felt a divine calling to establish a permanent seat for the Saraswat community. It is believed that Lord Vishnu appeared in his meditation and blessed him to set up a Math that would guide the community for generations.
Another local legend says that the ancient Peepal tree grew the very day the Swamiji placed the first sacred seat (Peetha) here, symbolising Lord Vishnu’s protective presence. The tree is now considered a living witness to more than five centuries of spiritual activity.
Even during difficult times, including foreign rule, the deities of the Math were always protected. Devotees believe that whenever the community faced challenges, the blessings of Lord Vittala and Lord Rama from Partagali guided them towards safety and prosperity.
The Math celebrates many Vaishnava festivals with devotion and grandeur.
Ram Navami, Vittala Jayanti, and Sri Madhva Navami are important occasions marked with special pujas, chanting, and community participation. The Aradhana festivals of past Swamijis are observed with Vedic rituals, feeding of devotees, and spiritual discourses.
One of the major celebrations is the Shree Rama Digvijaya Rath Yatra, where the idol of Lord Rama is taken around in a beautifully decorated chariot, accompanied by bhajans and traditional music.
A grand celebration was also held recently to mark the 550th year of the Math, with thousands of devotees participating from all over India.
