Vidyashankara Temple at Sringeri Karnataka

Vidyashankara Temple

Vidyashankara Temple is situated in karnataka it is a marvales temple, yearly thousands of people visits this temple, and there also many picturesque scenes available aroun this place  Sringei has got many beautiful places around it beacaue the temple situated at the Hills.

The Vidyashankara Temple at Sringeri was built in memory of Guru Vidyashankara or Vidyathirtha by Vidyaranya with the aid of the Vijayanagar rulers in the 14th century. Scholars believe that it was in this temple that Adi Sankaracharya established ‘Sarada Peetham’ in the 1st millennium CE and installed the image of Sarada with a Sri Chakra in front of her. And from then on he started the Bharati Sampradaya to propagate the philosophy of non dualism. Because of the strong association of Adi Shankaracharya from Vidyashankara Temple it is commonly known as the ‘Shankaracharya Temple’.

Sringeri is one of the most celebrated pilgrimage centers in Karnataka, and is home to the Sarada Peetham established by the revered spiritual leader Aadi Sankaracharya.    Sringeri is located amidst the Sahyadri hills in Chikmaglur district of Karnataka on the left bank of the river Tungabhadra. The nearest railhead is Birur on the Bangalore – Pune railroad. The nearest airport is at Mangalore (150 km). Bangalore is at a distance of 336 km from Sringeri. Near Sringeri, are the Sringagiri hills, said to be the birth place of Sage Rishyasringa.

The Vidyashankara temple, Sringeri is positioned on the pinnacle of the Sahayadri hills that is found in a locale named Chikmanglur district situated inside the premises of Karnataka. The Vidyashankara temple, Sringeri is also placed at the left facet of the the rivulet named Tungabhadra.

The Vidyashankara temple at Sringeri is considered to be the abode of ‘Sarada Peetham’ and founded by Adi Shankaracharya.

The Vidyashankara temple, Sringeri is built to commemorate Guru Vidyashankara with some much needed assistance from the emperors of Vijaynagar.

Post setting up the image of Sharada in the temple, Adi Shankaracharya also commenced the propagation of the philosophy that preached non-dualism that was known as Bharati Sampradaya.

The Vidyashankara temple of Karnataka vividly displays the Dravidian and Hoysalan school of engineering. This is apparent from the 12 pillars epitomizing 12 zodiac signs that shoulder the mandapam and are reckoned as the ‘Raasi Pillars’.

Another intriguing feature of these pillars is that they are so skillfully erected that each pillar receives sunlight on the basis of the solar calender. The Vidyashankara temple, Sringeri also possesses severals entrance ways, six to be precise.

The image of Sharada that was personally inaugurated by Adi Shankaracharya is constructed from sandalwood although it was substituted by another image that was made from pure gold later with the advent of the 14th century.

The image of Ma Sharada is indeed a spectacle to watch as she is resting on the Sri Chakra Peetham with a Japa Mala and a parrot enhancing the beauty of both her arms.

You can visit the Vidyashankara temple at Sringeri every Friday.