Sharada Temple Sringeri

Introduction to the Sharada Temple

The Sharada Temple is a renowned Hindu temple located in Sringeri, Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka. This beautiful temple lies on the banks of the Tunga River. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Adi Shankaracharya's Advaita Vedanta philosophy followers. The temple's presiding deity is Saraswati, the incarnation of Sri Sharadamba, the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, learning, and art. Adi Shankaracharya, a great philosopher, and theologian who lived in the 8th century CE, established the Sringeri Sharada Peetam. It is one of the four prominent monastic centers he founded across India.

The Sharada Temple serves as the central place of worship for followers of Shankaracharya's teachings in the southern region of India. Sringeri Sharada Temple is another name for it.

Legend of the Sharada Temple

As per the legend, the place is associated with the sage Rishyasringa, son of Vibhandakamuni. He performed severe penance here; thus, the place earned the name Sringeri.

Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have foreseen this place as sacred, where a snake protected a pregnant frog from the hot Sun during its labor. To honor and recall this incident, a sculpture known as Kappe Shankara is there in the footsteps of the river Tunga.

The Architecture of the Sharada Temple

The architecture of the Sharada Temple reflects the traditional Dravidian style. The main deity, Sharadamba, is depicted holding a book, a rosary, and a parrot, symbolizing knowledge, meditation, and wisdom.

Sri Adi Shankaracharya founded the Sharada Temple in the eighth century. It houses a standing sandalwood statue of Sharada installed by Adi Shankaracharya. After the rule of the Vijayanagara Empire, Sri Vidyaranya (12th Jagadguru) replaced the sandalwood idol with the seated golden idol in the 14th century.

A beautiful seven-tier Rajagopuram of 128 ft in height with nine kalas was constructed during the time of Sri Abhinava Vidya Tirtha Swamigal. Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati consecrated the new temple in May 1916. Granite walls protect the golden idol of the main deity around the sanctum.

There are huge stone pillars in the Maha Mandap. The sanctum's platform has a silver Mandap, which houses the idol of Sri Bhuvaneshwari Devi, called Vyakhyana Peetam. A Sri Chakra is installed on it.

Outside the Sharada Temple, a single-stone pillar stands at a 30-ft height. The Maha Mandap also has huge stone pillars and carvings of Durga, Raja Rajeshwari, Dwarapalakas, and Devis.

In the Navaranga Mandap, outside the sanctum, there are four pillars on either side. Sculptures of eight-handed Durga and Rajarajeshwari adorn these pillars. On either side of the sanctum, visitors can see the idols of Dwarpalakas (guardian deities).

The sanctum's door has a complete gold covering, and all eight panels are inscribed with Ashtalakshmi figures.

Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha and Sri Vidyaranya expanded and renovated the Sharada Temple. In the 14th century, the temple received royal patronage from the Vijayanagara Empire.

Harihara and Bukka, Vijayanagar rulers, built the Sri Vidya Shankara Temple in the 14th century. It had some renovation in the 16th Century. It is inside the Sharada Temple complex. Sri Vidya Shankara Temple reflects the Hoysala and Dravidian architectural styles. Vidya Shankara Linga graces from the sanctum. Visitors can see several inscriptions here describing contributions made by the Vijayanagar emperors. There is a large pearl-made Nandi. Now, the Archaeological Survey of India maintains this temple

Festivals in the Sharada Temple

Navaratri, Karthika Poornima, Magha Shukla Panchami, Lalitha Panchami, and Sri Sharadamba Rathotsava are the major festivals in the Sharada Temple. The temple performs Shatha Chandi Homam on Maha Navami. On Vaisaka, Krishna Prathipada, Maha abhishekam, and special Pooja are performed for Sri Sharadamba.

Benefits of Worshipping at the Sharada Temple

Devotees believe that worshipping Saradamba at this temple will bring blessings of knowledge, education, and success in academic pursuits.