Those who want to know about #MahaPeriyava can please read this detailed post. It gives a glimpse into how He became the head of Sankara Mutt and His life after that.
His Holiness Jagadguru Pujya Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswathi Swamigal or the Sage of Kanchi was the 68th
Madathipathi of the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. He is one of the greatest saints that history has ever witnessed. He is usually referred to as “The Walking God” "Visible God of Kaliyuga" "Incarnation of God" "Embodiment of Love, Peace and Compassion” “Confluence of Dharma" "Destroyer
of all Evils" and “Essence of Knowledge".
Swaminathan (Purvashram name of His Holiness) was born on 20 May 1894, under Anuradha star into a Kannadiga Smartha Hoysala Karnataka family in Viluppuram, South Arcot District, Tamil Nadu. He was the second son of Subramaniya Shastrigal
a District Education Officer. The child was named Swaminathan, after the family deity Lord Swaminatha of Swamimalai, near Kumbakonam. Swaminathan began his early education at the Arcot American Mission High School at Tindivanam, where his father was working. He was an exceptional
student and excelled in several subjects. In 1905, his parents performed his Upanayanam, a Vedic ceremony which qualifies a Brahmin boy to begin his Vedic studies under an accomplished teacher