Sringeri Sri Sharada Temple
The Sharadamba Temple at Sringeri
(‘Shringa giri’ in Sanskrit) is an
8th-century temple, founded by renowned Indian Advaita Philosopher, Sri Adi
Shankaracharya. It housed a sandalwood statue of Shardamba in a standing
posture, which was installed by Him until the Vijayanagara rulers and Sri
Vidyaranya (12th Jagadguru) installed a seated gold statue of Sri Shardamba in
the 14th century.
Legend
Shankara is believed to have envisioned this place as the holiest where a snake hooded as an umbrella to protect a pregnant frog from hot Sun during its labour. To commemorate this incident, a sculpture known as kappe shankara is there on the footsteps to the river Tunga. This was the first place where Shankara is believed to have established one of the four major mutts. As per Hindu legend, the place is associated with sage Rishyasringa, son of Vibhandaka Maharshi. He did severe penance at this place, leading to the name Sringeri. The temple was renovated during the regime of Vijayanagara Empire during the 14-16th centuries and later during 1916.
Significance of the Sringeri Temple
It is believed that Lord Shiva
gifted the crystal Chandramouleeshwara Linga to Sri Adi Shankaracharya. The
Linga can still be visited and the Chandramouleeshwara Pooja is performed for
the Linga every Friday night at 8:30 PM. It is believed that Goddess Sharada is
the incarnation of Goddess Saraswati, who came to Earth as Ubhaya Bharathi.
It is a common faith that by
worshiping her, one can receive blessings of Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu along
with Parvati, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. The ritual of Aksharabhyasa performed here is considered to be sacred and
fulfilling. The parents of kids in the age of 2-5 are given a slate and chalk
or alternatively, a plate of rice on which they pray to Goddess Saraswati and
the Guru to impart good knowledge and education to their children.
Temples in Sringeri
There are over 40 temples in
Sringeri. Important ones are the Malahanikareshwara Temple on a small hillock
called as Mallappana Betta. This is
built on Dravidian style. There is one Bhavani Temple, SthamBha Ganapati. One of the best example of temple architecture
can be found in Sri Vidyashankara Temple. Brindavana
of past Jagadgurus at the Narasimha Vana
are worth visiting. Kalabhairava Temple to the East, Durga Temple in the South,
Anjaneya Temple to the West and Kali Temple to the North of Sringeri are also
few important temples.