rrvvvr,
i think you hit the nail on the head here .. Today poeple in south may not know where the other mutts are located but all poeple in North know where Kanchi mutt is located.
it is sad, that even though the mutt has been in kanchi for more than thousand years, that it has absolutely no impact on the immediate surroundings.
i do not know what purposeful ventures it has initiated. to me it looks like that of late it has been an exclusive brahmin club, which has no place in current society.
the reputation it has earned over the ears, even though it was a stronghold of brahminism, it practised the most ascetic form of it. as long as there was no wealth, and where erudition was the goal, the organization is admired.
i think, its reputation, was built on such adherence to religiosity to the level of practice of day to day ascetism and poverty. it is perhaps, to the memory of this past, that we are loyal.
how do we reconcile, this glorious past, to our feelings and situations of today?
it is also dismaying, that the mutt is more popular in north india. i think, charity begins at home. without a strong home base, recognition all over the world, comes to a nought.
having said all the above, i can appreciate your feelings. where the heart reigns, there is no place for reason. for people like you, who had implicit faith, trust and devotion, i empathize with your angst.
hopefully, all this passes over soon.
thank you.
