SHRISARADAMBAL TEMPLE, SRINGERI, CHIKKAMAGALORE DISTRICT- KARNATAKAPart1 Introduction
The Sri Sharadambal Temple in Sringeri is an ancient shrinededicated to Maa Sharadamba, established by Adi Shankara in the 8th century as part of his SringeriSharada Peetham. The temple complex houses a library, a Vedicschool, and a shrine to Adi Shankara, serving as a spiritual centre known forits architecture and significant Navaratri festival. The temple also functionsas an important monastic centre for various traditions and has a rich historyof renovations and improvements. The ancient temple of Sri Sharada, the presiding deity ofSringeri has a glorious history that begins with the setting up of theDakshinamnaya Peetham by Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada. Originally it was anunpretentious shrine with the Murti of Sharada made of sandalwood, installed over the SriChakra that Sri Adi Shankara carved on a rock. Subsequently Sri Bharati KrishnaTirtha and Sri Vidyaranya had a temple built in the Kerala style, with timberand tiled roof. Sri BharatiKrishna Tirtha substituted the sandalwood idol with the present golden idol. Key aspects of thetemple: Founder: Adi Shankara established the temple and the SringeriSharada Peetham in the 8th century. Deity: The temple's main deity is Maa Sharadamba. Location: Sringeri is located in the Western Ghats on the banks of the River Tunga. Structure: The temple was originally a simple shrine, but thecurrent granite structure was built by Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava NrisimhaBharati and consecrated in1916. Facilities: The complex includes a library, a Vedic school,and a shrine to Adi Shankara. Significance: It serves as a spiritual centre and thehistorical site for the annual Navaratri and chariot festivals. Traditions: The temple is an embodiment of spiritual essenceand has branches in many places. Legend A hagiographic legend states that Adi Shankara, during Histravels across India, witnessed a snake unveiling its hoodlike an umbrella to shield a pregnant frog from the hot sun on the banks of theriver Tunga in Sringeri. Deducing that non-violence amongst natural predatorswas innate to a holy spot, Adi Shankara decided to establish His first Peethamin Sringeri. Sringeri is independently associated with SageRishyasringa of Ramayana fame, son of Sage Vibhandaka. According to tradition, Shankara also instituted thetradition of appointing a succession of monastic pontifical heads, called theJagadgurus, to each of the four monasteries, installing Sri Sureshvaracharya,Sri Hastamalakacharya, Sri Padmapadacharya and Sri Totakacharya as the firstJagadgurus of the Peethams at Sringeri, Dvaraka, Puri and Badri respectively. According to tradition, Adi Shankarainstalled Sri Sureshwaracharya, believed by tradition to be the same as MaṇḍanaMiśra, as the first acharya of the Peetham at Sringeri beforeresuming his tour to establish the three remaining Peethams at Puri, Dwarakaand Badarinath. The math holds one of the four Mahavaakyas, Aham-Bramhasmi. Themath claims to have a lineage of Jagadgurus, stretching back straight to AdiShankara himself. History According to tradition, Adi Shankara, the principal exponentof Advaita Vedanta, established four pithams (dioceses) in India to preserveand propagate Sanatana Dharma and Advaita Vedanta. These areSringeri Sri Sharada Peetham (Karnataka, South), Dvārakā Śāradā Pītham (Gujarat, West), Purī Govardhan Pīṭhaṃ (Odisha, East), and Badri Jyotishpīṭhaṃ (Uttarakhand, North). Historical accounts While tradition attributes the establishment of the SringeriSharada Peetham to Adi Shankara, situating him in the 8th century BCE, the early history of the Sringeri Peetham from Shankara (8th centuryCE) to about the 14th century is unknown. This may be because thesources are contradictory about the dates and events, in part because of theloss of records, and also because the pontiffs of the monastery adopted thesame name which has created confusion in understanding the surviving records. The history of Sringeri Peetha is recorded in the matha'sliterature as well as in kadatas (ledger records and inscriptions of variousforms) and sanads (charters) from the 14th century onwards. Later History and Architecture Sri Sacchidananda Shivabhinava Nrisimha Bharati raised thepresent structure in granite with polished granite walling round the sanctumand Sri Chandrasekhara Bharati consecrated the new temple in May 1916. SriAbhinava Vidyatirtha made several improvements in the temple. The Mahamandapam has huge stonepillars exquisitely carved with deities like Durga, Raja Rajeshwari,Dwarapalakas and Devis which are all sculpted according to theShilpa Sastras practised in Tamil Nadu. In the year 1999, the present Jagadguru Shankaracharya SriBharati Tirtha Mahaswamigal, dedicated to Goddess Sharada a rupees one crore Golden chariot atSringeri. On the event of golden jubilee Vardhanthi (Birthday) ofthe Jagadguru, golden doorswere installed and inaugurated at the entrance of’ the sanctum sanctorum of SriSharada temple. The gold covering to the door worth rupees twenty-fourlakh is a marvellous piece of art. The eight panels have the figures of Ashta Lakshmi inscribed on them. Deities Main deity Sri Sharadamba. Sanctified by theworship of an unbroken succession of Acharyas of the highest purity, loftiestdevotion and unsurpassed mantric powers, the Murti of Sri Sharada radiatesgrace and blessings. Sub deities-Sri Torana Ganapati,SriVidyashankara,Sri Janardana,Sri Vaageeshwari,Sri Balasubrahmanya,TheChandramouleeswara Linga, Sri Malahanikareshwara and guardian deities. Idols Sri Adi Shankaracharya,Sri Sureshwaracharya Adhishtanams Sri Malayala Brahma Poojas details Peetham is following the Daśanāmi Sampradaya. 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 Everyday | 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM Sevas Archana – Ashtotram, Trishati, Sahasranamam, Laksharchana Durga Shata Chandi,Dindi Deeparadhana Udayastamana Pooja,Suprabhata Seva Swarna Pushpa Seva,Aksharabhyas Saraswati PoojaDays for performing Aksharabhyasa Vijaya Dasami, Lalita Panchami, Akshaya Triteeya, as well asdays such as Thursdaysand/or Moola Nakshatra day (provided these do not fall on AmavasyaTithi) are considered auspicious for performing Aksharabhyasa. For the convenience of devotees,Aksharabhyasa is performed on all days. Aksharabhyasa Timings 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM Requirements-The child, which is able to understand and speak(from the age of 2½ up to the age of 5) is eligible for Aksharabhyasa. Seva Kanike-The Seva Kanike of Rs.500 can be paid at thecounter in the temple premises and a receipt is obtained for the Aksharabhyasa. Note: No advance booking is required for conducting Aksharabhyasa.However, on the intended day of Aksharabhyasa seva, you can skip the queue atthe seva counter and book it through https://seva.sringeri.net & print theseva receipt from one of the kiosks near seva counters. Guru Darshanam Everyday | 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM ChandramoulishwaraPuja by Jagadguru Normal Days | 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM Fridays | 8:30 PM - 10:00 PM Festivals Navaratri festival is celebrated on a grand scale every yearfor 11 days with Shathachandi Homa Poornahuti performed on the Mahanavami day. On the Chaitra Shukla Poornima day, special Puja is performedin Sri Sharada Shrine. On Vaisaka Krishna Prathipath Mahabhishekam and special poojais done for Sri Sharadambal. On Karthika Poornima day Deepotsava is conducted in SriSharada Shrine. On the Magha Shukla Panchami, Lalitha Panchami is celebratedwith special Puja performed to Sri Sharadamba by the Jagadguru. On the Magha Krishna Dwithiya special Puja to Sri Sharadambais performed by the Jagadguru. On the Magha Trithiya Sri Sharadamba Rathotsava iscelebrated. How to reach: Sringeri has bus services from cities like Bengaluru and isaccessible by bus from Shivamogga and Mangaluru. Accommodation: The temple management provides accommodation facilities fordevotees. Dress code: Visitors are expected to wear traditional attire, such assarees or long skirts for women and dhoti for men; western or revealingclothing is not permitted. Darshan Timings Morning – 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM Evening – 5:00 PM to 9.00 PM Location Bangalore 360 KMs Bus, Mini-bus, Private car, Taxi 8 hours. Mysore 260 KMs Bus, Private car, Taxi 7 hours Mangalore 110KMs Bus, Private car, Taxi 4 hours Udupi 80KMs Mini-bus,Private car, Taxi 2.5 hours Chickmagalore100KMs Bus, Private car, Taxi 3 hours Kollur 110KMs Bus,Private car, Taxi 4 hours Koppa 30 KMs Bus,Private car, Taxi 1 hour Nearest Railway Station: Shimoga,Udipi,Mangalore,Bangalore Various routes The Bus services are available to reach Sringeri from the above places : Umbrella Sringeri experiences very heavy rains coupled with torrentialwinds during the months of June to September. Pilgrims visiting Sringeri duringthese months are recommended to carry umbrellas. Torch Sringeri being surrounded by forests, power transmissionduring rainy season is volatile. Therefore pilgrims are also recommended tocarry torches. Blanket The period extending from November to February ischaracterized by a chilly climate with temperaturesdropping as low as 10° centigrade. Though blankets and bedsheets areprovided in the guesthouses, pilgrims are recommended to carry with themshawls, blankets and other protective clothing while visiting Sringeri duringthese months. Guest Houses In order to have a comfortable stay at Sringeri and have thedarshan of Goddess and Acharya, Sri Sharada Peetham, Sringeri, constructed thefollowing Guest houses near the Sharada Temple. Sri Shankara Kripa,Sri Sharada Kripa,Yatri Nivas Sri Bharathi Tirtha Vihara,Sri Shankara Sadana Sri Srinivasa Kripa constructed by T.T.D Sri Bharati Tirtha Krupa The above guest houses are provided to the pilgrims anddevotees not on commercial basis but for their comfort. Hence a minimum Kannikai iscollected from the devotees for the usage of the above guest houses in order tomaintain the electrical and other amenities. Further there aredormitory system to accommodate a group of devotees in one hall. The Guesthouses are allotted to the pilgrims/devotees on first come-first serve basis.Advance booking of the guest house is not entertained. For the requirement ofGuest House, Pilgrims can approach the Information Office located adjacent toSri Sharada Temple main entrance. Annadana To cater the need of devotees a big dining hall namely ‘SriBharathi Theertha Prasada’ has been built near Sri Sharada Temple, Sringeri andNitya Annadana is served to the all devotees in the afternoon and night between 12.15 P.M. and 2.30P.M. and 7.15 P.M. and 8.30 P.M. respectively. Nitya Annadana isserved for almost 7500 people which includes many schools and colleges,hospitals, etc. Other Facilities Banks Karnataka Bank (with ATM facility) Syndicate Bank (with ATM facility) State Bank of Mysore (with ATM facility) State Bank of India (with ATM facility) Canara Bank, Bank of India,Indian Overseas Bank Post Office.Post Office is functioning at the heart ofSringeri where Railway booking facility is also available Fuel Petrol Station of H.P., B.P. and I.O.C.L. are available atSringeri. Communication Plenty of Communication providers for Telephone, Mobile shopsand Internet Browsing Centres are available nearby the Temple vicinity. Pooja items All sort of Pooja articles are available around the Templecomplex for the Devotees Transport Auto Rikshaws and call taxis are available for the benefit ofpeople Medical Facilities Sharada Dhanvanthari Charitable Hospital with out-patientward, modern clinical laboratory, ECG and medical specialists services islocated at a reachable distanceof 4 Kms (approx.) from Sringeri Math. Apart from this, there aremany Medical shops. Wheel Chair For having a peaceful Darshan of Goddess Sri Sharadamba,other deities and Sri Jagadguru, Sringeri Math is providing the wheel chair forthe physically challanged and aged people on returnable basis. This foldablewheel chair can be collected from the Information Centre at Sringeri Math forfree of cost and returned after Darshan. Vehicle Parking Pilgrims visiting Sringeri by four wheelers are provided witha vehicle parking facility at the Northern bank of Tunga River. I will continue withsome additional interesting points compiled in the next part. Gopalakrishnan 5-10-2025 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/80457039.2480524.1759647384909%40mail.yahoo.com.
