Sri
Malahanikareshvara Temple
The Mallikarjuna temple here is originally called as Malahanikareshwara, means destroyer of the impurities of the soul. This serene temple is located at the centre of the Sringeri town, atop a small hill, and can be reached by a flight of about 170 steps. The temple structure is a fine piece of architecture in stone, consisting of navaranga, antarala and garbhagrha. The ceiling has a lotus bud carving. The deities inside the temple include Malahanikareshwara, Bhavani, Chandikeshwara, Durga and Sthambha Ganapati. The linga is said have been worshiped by Sage Vibhandaka, son of Sage Kashyapa. After many years of penance, Vibhandaka had the vision of the Lord and merged into the Linga. The Sthanbha Ganapati was created in stone by Sri Ahinava Narasimha Bharati (1599 – 1622), the 24th Jagadguru, by drawing a figure of Ganesha with a piece of turmeric on one of the front pillars.
The pillars have high relief sculptures of various gods and
goddesses such as Narasimha, Virabhadra, Sri Rama, Subrahmanaya, Venugopala,
Hanumana, Kalingamardhana and Durga, again a synthesis of gods as propounded by
Adi Shankara. Bindu Madhava is flanked by His consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi on
both sides.
Festivals
- Arudradarshanam (December-January)
- Mahashivaratri (February-March)
- Rathotsavam (February-March) and
- Laksha Deepotsavam (November December)