Sri Sharadamba Temple is a temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Sharadamba[Saraswati] in the town of Sringeri in Karnataka, India, on the Tunga river.
Sringeri bears a hallowed history that predates the Ramayana, sanctified by the tapas of great Maharshis through the centuries. Named after Maharshi Rishyashringa (as Rishyashringa-Giri, which later evolved into Shringa-giri and then Sringeri), this sacred place was where the renowned sage lived and performed intense tapas. Sage Rishyashringa holds profound significance in Hindu tradition, as He officiated the Putrakameshti for King Dasharatha, which ushered the birth of Bhagavan Sri Rama and his brothers. This direct connection to Sri Rama’s birth establishes Sringeri’s spiritual legacy well before the events of the Ramayana unfolded.
The main deity is Sharadamba i.e. Saraswati
The Arrival of Sri Adi Shankaracharya
The sanctity of Sringeri attracted Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya with a remarkable insight. It was here that the Acharya established the first of the four Amnaya Peethams1 more than twelve centuries ago to foster the sacred tradition of Sanatana Dharma.
Tradition recounts that after dispersing the non-Vedic creeds prevailing in the country, the Acharya sought a convenient yet holy place to establish an institution for spreading the truths of Advaita Vedanta. Upon reaching Sringeri, He witnessed an extraordinary sight on the banks of the sacred Tunga river—a cobra spreading its hood to provide shade for a frog in labor pains, protecting it from the scorching midday sun. Struck by the sanctity of a place that could instill harmony between natural adversaries, the Acharya chose this very location to establish His first Math.
When Adi Shankara visited Kailasa to pay a visit to Shiva and Parvathi, Shiva gave 5 Crystal / Sphatika Shivalingams called Aatma Lingam to Sankaracharya and asked him to place them in 5 different holy places. They are now in :
Sarada Peetham Sringeri – Konwn as Bogha lingam
Kanchipuram Kanchi kamakotipitam – Known as Yoga lingam
Nataraja temple Chidamabaram -Known as Moksha lingam
Kedarnath – Known as Mukthi lingam
Neelakanta kshetram / Budhanilkantha Temple Kathmandu Nepal – Known as Varalingam
Out of these 5 the general public can see only one – the one at Shringeri where everyday at 8pm the Shankaracharya of Shringeri performs pooja at the Shankaracharya ashram.
The Sharadamba Temple is an 8th-century temple, established by Adi Shankara, who also established his first Peetham and monastery at the site. The temple is part of the larger complex called Sringeri Sharada Peetham, which is the southern cardinal monastery established by Shankara.
Acharya encountered many virtuous individuals at Sringeri and taught them the Upanishadic philosophy of Advaita. He then invoked the Divinity of Knowledge, Goddess Sharadamba, and consecrated a murti of the Goddess. Thus, the Peetham He founded at Sringeri in South India for fostering the Vedas and the sacred tradition of Sanatana Dharma came to be known as the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham.
Adi Shankaracharya appointed His prime disciple, Sri Sureshwaracharya, as the first Acharya of the Peetham. Since then, the Peetham has been blessed with an unbroken Guru Parampara, a garland of spiritual masters and Jivanmuktas representing Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya Himself. The succeeding Acharyas, reverentially referred to as Jagadguru Shankaracharyas, have led lives of such austere penance that disciples see in them the radiance of Sri Adi Shankara Himself.
Adi Shankar took samadhi here according to many
A Center of Traditional Learning
Beyond being a center of spiritual power, Sringeri has also gained renown as a great place of traditional learning due to the presence of Goddess Sharadamba and the erudition of the Peetham’s Acharyas. The Acharyas, established in the state of Self-realization or Jivanmukti, have authored commentaries on the Vedas and further expounded upon the Bhashyas of Sri Adi Shankaracharya. They have also authored numerous independent works related to Advaita and composed many hymns expressing their ardent devotion to the non-dual Supreme worshipped in multifarious forms. The Peetham thus came to be regarded as the Vyakhyana Simhasana, The Throne of Transcendental Wisdom. Consequently, the Birudavali of the Sringeri Jagadgurus hails the Acharya as the one who adorns this throne. Many regard Goddess Sharadamba Herself as moving in the form of the presiding Acharya, Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharathi Tirtha Mahaswamiji.
How to reach: Sringeri is 320 kms from Bengaluru and 111 kms from Mangaluru (nearest airport). Shivamogga is the nearest railway station (90 kms). Sringeri has direct bus service from Bengaluru. Buses are available from Shivamogga and Mangaluru, Chickmagalore, Udipi to reach.
