Shri Shrimajjagadguru Shankaracharya Shri Sonda Swarnavall Mahasamsthanam is situated amidst evergreen forests near Shalmali river in Sirsi Taluk of Uttara Kannad district in karnataka.  It is a famous religious center and its history can be traced back to the period of Adi Shankara who professed Advaida (Non-Dualism) philosopy and established Maths to propogate the same.  Shri Vishwavandya Saraswati, the first Guru of this Peetha was blessed by Adi Shankara.  The Matha was founded in Dashashwamedghaghat at Kashi, and later shifted to Ujjaini, Gokarna, Kadtoke, Sahsralinga and the present Swarnavalli.  Owing to the royal patronage and people’s faith, the Matha besides becoming a Gurupeetha for the entire Gokarna-Mandala, developed a Mahasamsthana.  It includes 16 seemas in the Upperghat and several places in the Lowerghat and many more disciples spread across India.  Havyakas, Ramakshatriyas, Sheeligas, Disshis, Marathis, Goulis, Bhandaris and Kunbis and many more are the traditional disciples of this Math in addition to devotees and theists.