peethadhipati

Peethadhipati (Sanskrit पीठाधिपति) is a title used in Hinduism to denote the head or chief administrator of a peetha (seat), typically a matha or monastery. The word combines peetha meaning seat or monastery and adhipati meaning lord or ruler. In practice, a peethadhipati exercises spiritual leadership and oversees the institution's affairs.

Responsibilities commonly include overseeing religious rites and education, managing endowments and property, guiding monastic communities, and determining succession to the peetha’s pontificate or mata’s lineage. The peethadhipati is expected to safeguard the mutt’s traditions, scripture interpretations, and community discipline, and to represent the institution in religious and public matters.

In the tradition associated with Advaita Vedanta, Adi Shankaracharya is said to have established four mutts at four cardinal directions, with each mutt led by a peethadhipati. The title is used more broadly for heads of various mutts and temple trusts, not only for the four historic mathas; holders may be styled as Shankaracharya or Jagadguru depending on lineage and tradition. The status and succession of peethadhipatis have at times been the subject of internal debates or public scrutiny regarding governance and succession, though the role remains central to the continuity of monastic lineages and their worship practices.