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Hindu Temples :-
Goddess Durga Temples
Vidyashankara Temple, Karnataka
Vidyashankara Temple at Sringere is a revered
pilgrimage centre located amidst the picturesque Sahyadri hills in
Chikmaglur District of Karnataka on the left bank of the river Tungabhadra.
The temple is held in high esteem by the people of Karnataka as it is
considered to be the home to 'Sarada Peetham' established by the revered
spiritual leader Aadi Sankaracharya in the 1st millennium CE. Idol of
Goddess Sarada in the temple is said to have been installed by Aadi
Sankaracharya himself.
The Temple
The Vidyashankara Temple at Sringeri was built in memory of Guru
Vidyashankara or Vidyathirtha by Vidyaranya with the aid of the Vijayanagar
rulers in the 14th century. Scholars believe that it was in this temple that
Adi Sankaracharya established 'Sarada Peetham' in the 1st millennium
CE and installed the image of Sarada with a Sri Chakra in front of her. And
from then on he started the Bharati Sampradaya to propagate the philosophy
of non dualism. Because of the strong association of Adi Shankaracharya from
Vidyashankara Temple it is commonly known as the 'Shankaracharya Temple'.
Vidyashankara Temple is built with the combined features of the Hoysala and
Dravida architecture. It stands on a richly sculptured basement with six
doorways leading into the temple. The twelve pillars in the mandapam are
named the Raasi Pillars marking the 12 zodiac signs. These pillars
are so arranged that the sun's rays fall on each of them in the order of the
solar months.
Each column in the temple also has a large rearing lion with non removable
rolling stone balls in its mouth. A circular shikhara crowns the sanctum.
This temple walls also features carved scenes from the puranas. Buddha is
depicted as one of the incarnations of Vishnu here. The temple presents a
majestic view especially when seen from across the river.
Image of Goddess Sarada
The original image of Goddess Sarada as installed by Adi Sankaracharya was
made of sandalwood. It was replaced with a golden image in the 14th century.
In the golden idol Ma Sarada can be seen seated on the Sri Chakra Peetham
holding a Japa Mala with a parrot perched on the top of Her hand.
Besides a shrine to Aadi Sankara in the Vidyashankara Temple there are
shrines to Shakti Ganapati, Bhuvaneswari, Mahishasuramardini and
Rajarajeswari. The temple also houses ruby images of Venugopala and
Srinivasa besides a Nandi made out of a large pearl. Several inscriptions
can also be seen in the temple describing contributions made by the
Vijayanagar emperors.
Best Time to Visit
Number of devotees in the temple increases each Friday when the procession
of Saradamba in a silver chariot can be witnessed around the temple. The
biggest surge of devotees can be seen during Navaratri Festival.
There are are several other places of interest for devotees in Sringeri.
Sringagiri hills are said to be the birth place of Sage Rishyasringa. Then
there is the Janardhana temple housing the image of Aadi Sankaracharya.