Sri Sri Sri Jagadguru Vidyaranya Bharati Swamiji is the present pontiff of the Hampi Sri Virupaksha Vidyaranya Mahasamsthanam, Hampi. He is 46th in the lineage from Sri Vidyaranya (the 12th peethadhipathi) and 57th from AdiShankracharya. He took Sanyasa Diksha at Feb 1997 in Bangalore from his guru Sri Abhinavoddanda Nrusimha Bharathi Swamiji and ascended the Mahapeetha of Hampi after his Guruji Sri Sri Sri Abhinavoddanda Nrusimha Bharathi Swamiji attained Mahanirvana in 2000. He is continuing the holy line as 46th JagadguruShankaracharya of Sri Virupaksha Vidyaranya Mahasamsthanam, Hampi Mutt and conducting various activities in the process of expanding the services of the Mutt. He is protecting and propagating the same unbroken tradition of Jagadguru Shankaracharya and handing it over to the next generations.