Shringeri Sharadamba Temple

Introduction to Shringeri Sharadamba Temple

Shringeri Sharadamba Temple is a famous Hindu Temple dedicated to Sharadamba, the deity of knowledge, art, and wisdom. It is on the banks of River Tunga in Sringeri, Karnataka. This is an 8th-century temple. Sringeri Mutt was the first of the four Amneya (throne of the Vedas) Peethas established by the great sage Adi Shankaracharya, the founder of the Advaita philosophy. The Shringeri Sharadamba Temple is one of the holiest and most important Hindu pilgrim centers.

Legend of the Shringeri Sharadamba Temple

According to the Shringeri Sharadamba Temple legend, Sri Adi Shankara was searching for an appropriate location where he could spread the Advaita Vedanta. One scorching afternoon, when Adi Shankara was walking on the banks of the River Tunga, he saw an unusual sight and was left enthralled.

He saw an exhausted frog wriggling in the hot sun; a cobra unveiled its hood and gave the little frog some shade from the scorching heat.

This incident showed him the sanctity of the place where even a poisonous snake could show compassion to its prey. He spent twelve years of his life at this place and decided to establish his first Mutt here.

The Architecture of Shringeri Sharadamba Temple

The Shringeri Sharadamba Temple houses a sandalwood statue of Sharadamba in a standing posture. According to Hindu mythology, Sharadamba embodies all the Shaktis: Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati. A stone statue of Devi can be seen seated on the Sri Yantra.

Sharadamba carries a rosary, a vessel, and a book in her three arms. Her fourth arm is in the pose of offering protection. Similar to this main idol, there are two smaller idols; one is silver, and the other is bronze. They are called Utsava Murtis.

The Shringeri Sharadamba Temple has been renovated many times. It is presently in the Dravidian architectural style. The deity's idol is very beautiful to look at. The Utsava Murtis come around the sanctum in a silver chariot during the temple's closing time. Many devotees come here to enjoy this beautiful moment. A sculpture at the temple, which is based on the mythological story, is called "Kappe Shankara." The recital of Lalitha Sahasranama accompanies all the Poojas. The western prakara of Shringeri Sharadamba Temple enshrines Vinayaka, who has ten hands. Devotees can see a huge 35 feet Deepa Sthambha outside the main shrine.

Vidya Shankara temple, near the Shringeri Sharadamba Temple, is an architectural marvel. Vidyaranya constructed it in 1338 AD over the tomb of his Guru, Vidyatheertha. It is wholly built using stones. There are 12 sculpted pillars in this temple, and each one represents a sign of the zodiac. The sun's rays fall on each pillar successively, in the order of the solar months. The Sri Vidyashankara temple Garba Griha has Vidya Ganapati, Durga, Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara.

It combines the common features of the Vijayanagara style and the Dravidian style of architecture. Visitors can see complex carvings on the walls. People feed puffed rice to fish in the Tunga River, the major attraction here.

Torana Ganapati, Adi Shankaracharya, Mahalaya Brahma, Kodandarama Swamy, Hanuman, and Garuda have separate shrines here.

Festivals in the Shringeri Sharadamba Temple

The Shringeri Sharadamba Temple celebrates the Navratri festival for 11 days. The Shatha Chandi Homa is performed on Maha Navami. The temple conducts a special Pooja on the Chaitra Shukla Purnima to Sharadamba. It also organizes a Deepotsava on Karthika Purnima.

Jagadguru performs a special pooja to Sharadamba on the evening of Magha Shukla Panchami. The Shringeri Sharadamba Temple celebrates Lalita Panchami. The temple organizes and celebrates Sharadamba Rathotsava on the Magha Tritiya.