Temple Story

The Sringeri Sharada Peetham was established in the 8th century CE by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, the founder of Advaita philosophy, as the first of his four monastic centers (amnaya peethams) in the four corners of India.

According to tradition, after defeating all non-Vedic creeds in the country, Shankaracharya was looking for a holy place to establish an institution to spread Advaita Vedanta. At Sringeri, he witnessed an unusual sight of a cobra shading a frog in labor from the scorching sun on the banks of the Tunga river. Struck by the sanctity of the place, he chose it to establish his first monastery.

Shankaracharya invoked the Goddess of Learning, Sharada, and consecrated her icon. He appointed his disciple Sureshwaracharya as the first pontiff. Since then, an unbroken lineage of spiritual masters (Jagadgurus) has led the Peetham.

The Peetham became a great center of traditional learning and Advaita scholarship. The Acharyas wrote commentaries on the Vedas and Shankaracharya's works. The Peetham came to be known as the "Throne of Transcendental Wisdom".

In the 14th century, the Vijayanagar empire was founded under the guidance of the 12th Jagadguru Sri Vidyaranya. The rulers came to honor the Acharya during Navaratri festivals, leading to him being known as the "Karnataka Simhasana Peethadhipati".

The Peetham has two major temples - the Sri Sharadamba Temple with a golden idol of the Goddess, and the Sri Vidyashankara Temple, an architectural marvel with 12 sculpted pillars representing the zodiac signs.

Yearly Main Events

The Sringeri Sharada Peetham Temple hosts a variety of significant events throughout the year, celebrating various festivals and special occasions. Some of the main events at the temple include:

Navaratri Utsava: The Sharada Sharan Navarathri is a prominent festival at the temple. During the nine days of Navaratri, the entire temple complex is adorned with decorations. Special rituals like Alankar for the Goddess, Homa, and Laksh archanas are performed. His Holiness gives darshan in his Durbar costumes during these days, seated in a special Simhasana representing Goddess Sri Sharadambha.
Rathotsavam: Rathotsavam is a significant feature during festivals at Sringeri. A Golden Chariot was made to celebrate the 25th year of Sannyasa of His Holiness. The Goddess Sharadambha is taken in procession in this golden chariot, creating a glorious sight for devotees. The chariot is also paraded along the temple prahara on special festival days.
Ganesha Chaturthi: During Ganesha Chaturthi, Vidvat Sadas are held where pandits and scholars debate on various branches of shastras. The Acharya presides over these discussions, reconciling conflicting points of view. The discussions take place in Sanskrit, adding to the scholarly atmosphere of the festival.
Ratha Saptami: This festival falls on the seventh day of the bright fortnight of the Magha month (usually in February). It celebrates the installation of the murti (idol) of Goddess Sharadamba. A procession is taken out with the murti placed on a chariot.
Maha Shivaratri: This festival, observed in February or March, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Special poojas and abhishekams (holy baths) are performed for the presiding deity, Sri Malahanikeswara Swami, at the Ishwaragiri Temple located near the Peetham.
Shankara Jayanti: This festival, celebrated in April or May, marks the birth anniversary of Adi Shankaracharya, the founder of Advaita Vedanta philosophy. Special pujas, discourses, and cultural programs are held on this day.

These are just a few of the many festivals and events celebrated at Sringeri Sharada Peetham. The Peetham also conducts regular Vedic chanting sessions, poojas, and lectures on Hindu philosophy and scriptures throughout the year.

Architectural Style

The Sringeri Sharada Peetham showcases a unique architectural style that blends various influences. The major temples within the Peetham exhibit distinct features:

Sri Sharadamba Temple: The temple has a rich history, with the present granite structure being raised around the sanctum by Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati. The temple features large stone pillars intricately carved with deities like Durga, Raja Rajeshwari, and dwarapalakas, following the shilpa sastras of Tamilnadu.

Sri Vidyashankara Temple: This temple, built entirely from stone in the 14th century, showcases a fusion of Hoysala and Dravidian architectural styles. The temple's inner sanctum (Garbha Griha) houses deities like Vidya Ganapathi, Goddess Durga, Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara. The temple's design includes 12 sculpted pillars, each representing a zodiac sign, allowing the sun's rays to fall on them successively.

The Vidyashankara temple's architecture is a fusion of pre-Vijayanagara Hindu temple traditions with Hoysala and Vijayanagara styles, creating a distinctive appearance. The temple's layout, with an apsidal shape, interior chambers, and sanctum set on the square principle, along with an almost circular plan for the spire and outer walls, adds to its architectural uniqueness. The temple's intricate carvings, relief friezes depicting Hindu epics, and various deities from different Hindu traditions contribute to its architectural grandeur.

Connected Temples In The Story

The Sringeri Sharada Peetham has close connections with several other temples:

Sharada Peetham in Kashmir

According to tradition, Sri Adi Shankaracharya founded the Sringeri Sharada Peetham after the original Sharada Peetham in Kashmir declined due to local invasions. The Sringeri Mutt continues to support the Sharada temple in Kashmir, maintaining a historical and civilizational connection between the two regions.

Sri Vidyashankara Temple

The Sringeri Sharada Peetham includes the Sri Vidyashankara Temple, an architectural marvel built in the 14th century. It features a fusion of pre-Vijayanagara Hindu temple styles with Hoysala and Vijayanagara influences. The temple has 12 sculpted pillars representing the zodiac signs, with the sun's rays falling on each pillar successively in the order of the solar months.

Sri Sharadamba Temple

The main temple within the Sringeri Sharada Peetham is the Sri Sharadamba Temple, dedicated to the Goddess of Learning and Wisdom. It houses a golden idol of Goddess Sharada and other shrines to deities like Ganesha, Adi Shankaracharya, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple

This smaller temple within the Sringeri complex is dedicated to Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Sita.

Sri Balasubrahmanya Temple

Another temple in the Sringeri group is the Sri Balasubrahmanya Temple, dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya.

Sri Chappara Anjaneya Temple

Located close to the main Sharadamba Temple, this temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman.So in summary, while the Sringeri Sharada Peetham is the main center, it has close ties to the original Sharada Peetham in Kashmir, and also houses several other temples dedicated to important Hindu deities within its complex.

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Location

Sri Math, near Temple, Sringeri, Karnataka 577139

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September 30, 2024 10:54 am local time

All Timings

TEMPLE TIMINGS

SHARADAMBA TEMPLE
- Normal Days
  - 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM
  - 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
- Maha-Mangalarati
  - 10:00 AM
  - 12:00 PM
  - 7:30 PM
OTHER TEMPLES
- 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
GURU DARSHANAM
- 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
CHANDRAMOULISHWARA PUJA (BY JAGADGURU)
- 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Normal Days)
- 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM (Fridays)

ANNADANA TIMINGS

12:00 NOON – 2:00 PM
7:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Accessibility

Temple Accommodation

Available

Temple Food

Available

Temple Food Timings

The temple provides free meals to devotees in the dining hall known as "Annadanam" or "Prasadam Hall." The timings for the meals are as follows:

Lunch (Afternoon Prasadam):
- Time: Approximately from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Dinner (Evening Prasadam):
- Time: Approximately from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Please note that these timings are subject to change based on temple activities, festivals, and other events.

Temple Dress Code

Formals

Location details

India
Karnataka
Chikmagalur

Travel Facility

Sringeri is about 85 kilometers east of Udupi, 100 kilometers northeast of Mangaluru, and approximately 335 kilometers west-northwest of Bengaluru. It can be accessed from Bangalore and Mangalore via road.

Local Amenities

Accommodation

Temple Guest Houses:
- Sri Bharati Tirtha Guest House
- Sri Vidyashankara Guest House
- Yatri Nivas
- These guest houses offer clean and affordable accommodation for pilgrims and are managed by the temple authorities.
Hotels and Lodges:
- Several private hotels and lodges are available in Sringeri, offering a range of options from budget to mid-range accommodations.

Dining

Temple Prasadam Hall:
- Free meals are served to devotees at the temple’s dining hall during specified times.
Restaurants and Eateries:
- Various restaurants and small eateries around Sringeri serve South Indian vegetarian food. Some popular ones include Hotel Sri Annapoorna and Bharati Residency.

Transportation

Local Transport:
- Auto-rickshaws and taxis are available for local transportation within Sringeri.
Bus Services:
- Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and private bus operators provide regular bus services connecting Sringeri to major cities like Bangalore, Mangalore, and Udupi.

Medical Facilities

Sri Sharada Dhanvantari Hospital:
- Provides comprehensive healthcare services including emergency care.
Pharmacies:
- Several pharmacies are available in Sringeri for purchasing medicines and health-related products.

Banking and ATMs

Banks:
- Branches of major banks such as State Bank of India (SBI) and Canara Bank are located in Sringeri.
ATMs:
- ATMs of various banks are available for cash withdrawals.

Shopping

Local Shops:
- Shops selling puja items, souvenirs, and local handicrafts can be found near the temple premises.
Grocery Stores:
- Several grocery stores and small supermarkets are available for daily needs.

Emergency Services

Police Station:
- There is a local police station in Sringeri for any security or emergency assistance.
Fire Station:
- Sringeri has a fire station to handle fire emergencies.

Communication

Internet and Telecom:
- Mobile network coverage is good, and there are internet cafes and some accommodations offer Wi-Fi services.

Local Things To Buy

Some of the famous things to buy in the area around Sringeri Sharada Peetham include banana chips, jackfruit pappads, and pickles. These local specialties are recommended as essentials to take back home from Sringeri. Additionally, the region offers a variety of shopping options and local markets where visitors can explore and purchase traditional items and souvenirs.

Temple Hospitals & Wellness Centers

Sri Sharada Dhanvantari Hospital:
- Location: Sringeri, Karnataka
- Services: This hospital provides a range of medical services, including general medicine, surgery, pediatrics, ophthalmology, and more. It aims to offer quality healthcare to the local population and visiting devotees.
- Facilities: Equipped with modern medical facilities and staffed by qualified doctors and healthcare professionals.
Sri Sharada Ayurveda Hospital:
- Location: Sringeri, Karnataka
- Services: Specializes in Ayurvedic treatments and therapies. It offers traditional Ayurvedic treatments, consultations, Panchakarma therapy, and other wellness programs.
- Facilities: Features well-trained Ayurvedic practitioners and a variety of treatment rooms equipped for different types of therapies.
Sri Vidyashankara Ayurveda Hospital:
- Location: Narasimha Vanam, Sringeri
- Services: Provides comprehensive Ayurvedic treatments focusing on holistic healing. The hospital offers both inpatient and outpatient services.
- Facilities: Includes dedicated treatment rooms, herbal gardens for fresh medicinal plants, and experienced Ayurvedic doctors.
Mobile Health Services:
- Services: The temple also operates mobile health services to reach remote areas, ensuring that people in distant villages have access to basic medical care and health check-ups.

Temple Education Institutes

The Sringeri Sharada Peetham is deeply involved in educational activities, nurturing knowledge and community development through various institutions. Here are some key points about the educational initiatives associated with the Sringeri Sharada Peetham:

The Peetham supports the running of schools in Sringeri, providing free computer education and establishing a Science Centre in collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation.
Educational institutions like Jnanodaya School and Jnanodaya Pre-University College in Bangalore, affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education, aim to provide value-based education and holistic development to around 2000 students.
Special emphasis is placed on fostering education at Kalady, the birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya, through institutions like Sree Sankara College and Sree Sarada Vidyalaya, among others.
The Peetham has expanded its educational activities by establishing institutions like Adi Shankara Institute of Engineering and Technology, Adi Shankara Training College, and PNNM Ayurveda Medical College in Kerala.
Recognizing the importance of value-based education in business, the Peetham established Sri Sharada Institute of Indian Management-Research in New Delhi, offering a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management program approved by the All India Council for Technical Education.

Temple Website

https://sringeri.net/

Temple Seva

Aksharabhyasa

Aksharabhyasa or Vidyarambha facility is one of the Sevas performed at Sri Sharada Temple in Sringeri.

Days for performing Aksharabhyasa

Vijaya Dasami, Lalita Panchami, Akshaya Triteeya, as well as days such as Thursdays and/or Moola Nakshatra day (provided these do not fall on Amavasya Tithi) are considered auspicious for performing Aksharabhyasa. For the convenience of devotees, Aksharabhyasa is performed on all days.

Timings

8:00 A.M to 1:00 P.M

Requirements

The child, which is able to understand and speak (from the age of 2½ upto the age of 5) is eligible for Aksharabhyasa.

Seva Kanike

The Seva Kanike of Rs.500 can be paid at the counter in the temple premises and a receipt is obtained for the Aksharabhyasa.

Sringeri Sharada Peetham

Site of the first matha established by Adi Shankara, promoting Advaita Vedanta philosophy