The advent of his Holiness Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamiji, the present and 36th Jagadguru of Sringeri Sri Sharada Peetam, took place on 11th April 1951.  The fortunate parents, Sri Venkateswara Avadhani and Smt. Anantalakshmamma named him ‘Sitaramanjaneyalu’.  Even as he was barely three years old, devotion to god was inherent in him.  Invested with the sacred thread ceremony at the age of seven, Sri Anjaneyalu meticulously performed the sacred Karmas meant for a Brahmachari and had formal Vedic education from his father himself.

        In the year 1961 Sri Anjaneyalu had the darshan of Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamiji, the 35th pontiff of Sringeri Sri Sharada Peetam.  From that day Sri Anjaneyalu’s mind experienced a holy transformation.  He fest the divine presence of the compassionate Acharya within him at all times,  guiding him on the righteous path.  In February 1966, Sri Anjaneyalu was blessed with the darshan of Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamiji once again.  He realised: “Here is my Guru, My Lord and My Saviour”.  After a few months he left his home and reached Ujjain where His Guru was camping at that time and surrendered at the lotus feet of the great Acharya once and for all.

        Sri Anjaneyalu spent 8 years serving the lotus feet of His Guru who was extremely pleased with Sri Anjaneyalu’s amazing progress in scriptural as well as spiritual disciplines.  In the year 1974, as per the commands of Sri Sharada, the Jagadguru initiated Sri Anjaneyalu into Sanyasa and made him the Successor Designate to the Peetam as its 36th Acharya with the sacred name ‘Sri Bharathi Theertha’.  After his Guru cast off His mortal coil in September 1989, Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamiji formally ascended Sringeri Sri Sharada Peetam as its 36th pontiff in October 1989.

        To Spread the message of Sri Adi Shankaracharya and help people fight evils such as desire, anger and miserliness, the Jagadguru has undertaken extensive tours covering the length and breadth of India.  People assemble in large numbers for the darshan of his sacred form and listen to His soul stirring talks delivered extempore in Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil and Hindi.  His nectarine words of advice have converted atheists into ardent devotees of God. Many who had discarded their scripture-ordained duties have restarted them after listening to the sage’s sacred discourses.  The Jagadguru has established a number of branch Mutts to help the people of the respective regions with the message of Sri Adi Shankara.

        Amazing is his contribution to the sustenance and propagation of Sanathana Dharma.  With his blessings and guidance, various bodies such as the Shastra Poshaka Sabha, Shankara Advaita Research Centre, and an exclusive Publication wing for the Mutt have come up.  In obedience to his commands, Veda, Shastra and Sanskrit teaching institutions have been started at many places.  The Sanskrit university in Kalady was His brain child.  Numerous spiritual schemes such as the “Gita Jnana Yajna” and “Veda Sammelan” have been introduced by the Mutt.  Under the directions of this compassionate Jagadguru, the Mutt has also undertaken the extensive constructions as well as the renovation projects of numerous temples all over the country.  Several are the educational as well as Research institutions and healthcare units run with the support of the Peetam.

        Uncompromising in leading his life in strict adherence to scriptural injunctions His Holiness remains an inspiring saints for every one of us in our attempts to sanctify our lives and realise the goal of our birth as humans.