Sringeri is a hill town located in the Chikmagalur district in the state of Karnataka in South India. One of the most celebrated pilgrimage centers in South India, Sringeri is located on the banks of the Tunga river and is surrounded by picturesque views and stunning beauty. This sacred town is visited by devotees in huge numbers throughout the year. Located amidst Sahyadri hills, Sringeri is renowned for the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, the first matha erected by the Hindu Guru Adi Shankara. This famous Sringeri temple is the major reason why visitors from around the world put Sringeri on their bucket list. In addition to the religious significance, Sringeri has a rich history and mythology associated with it, attracting spiritualists from all over the world. A visit to Sringeri, one of the holiest town in India, is an enriching and exhilarating experience.
Sringeri Sharada Peetham is one of the four mathas that were established by Adi Shankara in different parts of the country. The other three are Dwaraka in Gujarat, Govardhana in Odisha and Jyotirmath in Uttarakhand. Adi Shankaracharya was a renowned philosopher and theologist who established these mathas in the 8th century AD. Positioned on the banks of the Tunga river in Chikmagalur district of Karnataka, Sringeri Sharada Peetham is a major pilgrimage site for Hindu devotees who come to visit this temple and seek blessings from different corners of the world.
Adi Shankaracharya is believed to have established four mathas or the Advaita monasteries all across India to propagate his learnings to devotees. Among these four mathas, the first matha to be erected was the Sringeri Sharada Peetham in Karnataka. It is said that the great Indian philosopher Adi Shankaracharya spent 12 years of his life in this region and decided to establish the first matha here when he saw something unusual.
According to the various ancient stories, one day while he was walking on the banks of the Tunga river, he saw a cobra protecting a pregnant frog from the scorching sun rays by spreading its hood. The incident left a deep impact on him because despite being the frog’s natural enemy, cobra protected her. This made him believe that this place is truly special and unique and hence decided to build the Sharada Peetham near the banks of Tunga, which is now visited by thousands of devotees every year. After the establishment of the first matha in Karnataka, he established other mathas in all the three directions.
The Sringeri Sharada Peetham includes two major temples, Vidya Shankara temple, and Sharada Amba temple. Vidya Shankara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was constructed in the 14th century, while the Sharadamba temple was built in the 15th century and is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati.
The temple is an architectural marvel showcasing the splendid Dravidian, Chalukyan, Southern Indian and Vijayanagara architectural styles. There are numerous inscriptions inside the temple depicting the glorious past of the Vijayanagara Empire. The temple was built in the memory of Guru Vidyashankara or Vidyathirtha by his disciple Vidyaranya. Vidyaranya helped the brothers Harihara and Bukka establish the Vijayanagara Empire and influenced them to construct a temple over the Samadhi of his guru, this is how the temple got its name.
Vidyashankara temple is known for its unique architecture which is in line with astronomical concepts. There are 12 pillars inside the temple corresponding to the zodiac signs. They are constructed in such a way that the sun’s rays fall on each pillar in the exact order of the 12 months of the Hindu calendar. Apart from the main shrine, the Vidya Shankara shrine, that houses the Shiva Linga built over the Samadhi of Sri Vidyashankara, the other shrines are devoted to Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Mahesh.
The goddess of knowledge and arts in Hindu tradition, Saraswati is the presiding deity of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham. According to legends, Adi Shankaracharya fashioned a sandalwood idol of the goddess which was later replaced by the one made of gold during the reign of theVijayanagara empire. Inside the temple, along with the shrine of Goddess Saraswati, there are two other shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha and Bhuvaneshvari respectively.
Each year, Navarati festival of Sringeri is celebrated in the Sharadamba temple and has been a crowd-puller for years. Also, the annual chariot festival celebrated in February or March is popular amongst the tourists.
Sringeri Peetham has a huge library which has preserved some ancient Sanskrit manuscripts. Most of these manuscripts are related to Advaita philosophy while some are based on Sanskrit grammar, ethics and dharma sutras. There is a large collection of palm-leaf manuscripts and paper manuscripts in the library located on the first floor of the Sharadamba temple.
In addition to the Sharadamba Temple, Sringeri Sharada Peetham is home to other important temples and shrines as well. These pilgrimage sites of religious significance are a must-visit while you are in the divine town of Sringeri. Some of them are –
This temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. It has an aesthetic black stone idol of Lord Hanuman along with shrines of Lord Shiva and the serpent gods. The view from the temple is mesmerizing with greenery and natural beauty all around.
Another popular temple that every tourist must visit during a trip to Sringeri is the Torana Ganapati temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha who is worshipped here in the form of Vara Prasad and Kshipra Varaprasad.
This Jain pilgrim center is dedicated to the 23rd Jain Tirthankara, Parsawanath. The temple is a masterpiece of South Indian and Jain architectural styles. The temple is surrounded by charming landscapes and one can find the ruins of some ancient caves as well.
While in Sringeri, a visit to this temple devoted to Lord Hanuman is a must. Inside the temple there is a gigantic idol of Lord Hanuman which is a sight to behold. Along with the main idol, shrines of Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha are also housed in the temple. Pilgrims can sit and meditate here for long durations. Sri Shakthi Ganapathy Shrine, Sri Malayala Brahma Shrine, Sri Garuda Shrine, Sri Sureshwaracharya Samadhi Shrine and Sri Kodandaramaswamy Shrine are other important shrines located in the temple town of Sringeri.
Sringeri is located in proximity to numerous major cities including Chikmagalur which is at a distance of 86 kilometers, Mangalore around 105 kilometers away, Udupi and Bangalore at a distance of about 88 kilometers and 280 kilometers respectively. Sringeri can easily be reached through railways and roadways. You can also reach the city by boarding a flight.
By Air: If you choose to travel by air, the nearest international airport is Mangalore International Airport which is about 100 kilometers away from the town. From here, you can easily get a private taxi or a bus to reach the city. Tourists from around the country, as well as Middle Eastern countries, can easily reach the town.
By Road: If you wish to visit the city via roadways, the best option is to go for the bus services that are available from major cities such as Chikmagalur, Mangalore, Bangalore, Udupi, Shimoga amongst others. The visitors have an option to opt for either the Government-owned buses or private buses that are operated regularly between these cities.
By Train: Udupi Railway Station is well connected with Chikmagalur and all the other major cities and towns. The station is located at a distance of 98 kilometers from Sringeri and is easily accessible from different parts of the country.
The weather in Sringeri is tropical with hot summers, cool winters, and pleasing monsoons. The best time to visit this sacred place is between October -March but the various festivals and fairs that are organized in different months attract huge crowds from all around the world.
The temperature during summer can reach up to the highest of 45 degrees Celsius. But armed with enough sunblock and water, you can immerse yourself in the spirituality of this town in the summer.
The monsoon in Sringeri commences in July and remains till September. The temperature in the city ranges from 24 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius. The pleasant atmosphere makes this sacred town even more pristine.
The temperature during the winters in Sringeri ranges from the lowest of 5 degrees Celsius to the highest of 27 degrees Celsius with a cool breeze. Hence, winters are the best time to visit the town of Sringeri because of favorable weather conditions. Overall, a trip to the holy town of Sringeri is sure to immerse you in spiritual experiences. The monastery, numerous temples, and shrines of Sringeri beckon thousands of tourists every year for a spiritually stimulating trip. Owing to its beautiful location, intriguing history, traditions, rituals and cultures, Sringeri is a perfect destination for those looking for spiritual bliss. The town of Sringeri is a place where spirituality combines with history to appease your soul. This sacred paradise will keep you longing to come back.
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