Sri Adishankaracharya Sharada Lakshmi Narasimha Peetam Timings, History

“Sri Adi Shankaracharya was the Founder of Sharada Lakshmi Narasimha Peetam and the presiding deities are Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Sri Sharada Parameswari Peetam”

Sri Adi Shankaracharya Sharada Lakshmi Narasimha Peetam is an ancient Dharmapeetam established directly by Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya in the Puranic Kshetra Hariharapura, in the Chikmagalur, Karnataka. Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and Goddess Sri Sharada Parameswari are the deities who preside over this Dharmapeetam.

The sacred land of Hariharapura, located on the banks of the Tunga River, is a Kshetra highly exalted by Vedic literature. It is located at a distance of about 10 km from Koppa Taluk and 20 km from the famous pilgrimage center Sringeri in the Western Ghats. It is a place full of rich natural splendor, enveloped in deep serenity and a divine presence. The reverberating Vedic chants amidst lush vegetation and the gentle flow of the Tunga River create an exquisite environment of divine fervor and become an ideal refuge for the human mind constantly stressed by stormy thoughts and emotions. A few moments in the Sharada Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple on the banks of holy Tunga soothes the turbulent spirit and instills immense peace and calmness.

Sharada Lakshmi Narasimha Peetam Deities:

Sri Yantraraja Vajra Stambhaja LakshmiNarasimha Swamy
Sri Sharada Parameshwari
Sri Dakshahara Someshwara
Sri Adi Shankaracharya
Sri Agastya Maharishi
Adhishtana Mandiram of Paramaguru (24th Peetadhipathi of Sreemath)
Adhishtana Mandiram of Parameshti Guru (23rd Peetadhipathi of Sreemath)
located at a place called Punganoor in the Andhra-Karnataka border
Kshetra Palaka/Raksha Devata
Goddess Chowdeshwari (in the North) located 1 Km from Hariharapura at a place called Ambalike near Bhandi gedi Mukyadwara
Lord Sri Brahma in the East
Naga Devata near south side of River in the South
Anjaneya – located near Someshwara Temple at Hariharapura in the West
Sri Vijaya Ganapathi
Sri Kshipra Varada Ganapathi
Sri Dattatreya
Sri Madhaveshwara
Sri Lakshmi Venkataramana Swamy (locally called as Varadaraja Swamy)
Sri Lakshminarayana Swamy
Sri Yajneswara (Inside Yagashala)

Sharada Lakshmi Narasimha Peetam History:

Puranas says Hariharapura was an Agrahara ruled by Harihara Maharaya, the second sovereign of the Vijayanagara empire. According to inscriptions from the 14th century, the place was renovated by the Maharaya and received its name. Harihara Maharaya and the other Vijayanagara Rulers are devoted to the Shankaracharya Dharmapeetam in Hariharapura and had donated many lands and villages to Sreemath to express their respect for the Peetadhipathis. The Gazettes compiled at the beginning of the 19th century by M.Luis Rice in 1916 and later by Sri C.Hayavadana Rao in 1928 are important historical documents which present similar details: “Inscriptions on the place, it seems that Agrahara was established in 1418 by Sambanna Wodeyar of Agra during the reign of Harihararaya of Vijayanagar, then named after him. The religious establishment of Sringeri was intimately linked to the foundation of the Vijayanagar and Harihara empire, one of the brothers from whom he descended the royal line gave his name to the Agrahara of Hariharapura. ”

Sharada Narasimha Peetam Sthala Mahima:

The kshetras inhabited by yogis and maharishis are highly appreciated and respected in the Vedic tradition. Hariharapura, located in the Chikmagalur, Karnataka, is one of those ancient Kshetra that have been constantly populated by yogis and Tapasvis for unknown times.

The Tunga River flowing at Hariharapura is called Uttravahini. Kshetras where rivers flow like Uttravahini are considered great Siddha Kshetras, where performing any type of worship or spiritual Sadhana produces multiple benefits. Hariharapura is one of those powerful Siddha Kshetra discussed in praise for various religious texts and Puranas. The Vedic seers refer to this Kshetra as a very effective pilgrimage which is able to ward off all sins and grant spiritual and material elevation.

The history of Hariharapura goes back to the episode of Daksha Maha Yajnya. Skanda Purana / Sahyadri Kanda travels to Hariharapura under the name of “Dakshashrama”, the place where Daksha Maha Yajnya took place. According to the well-known legend of Daksha Yajnya, Maha Shiva, enraged by the loss of Sati Devi, ordered Veerabhadra to kill Daksha Prajapati. However, in the prayers of the sages and other devotees, the Lord forgave Daksha Prajapati and brought him back to life with the head of a goat. At the end of this chapter, the Purana describes that Lord Shiva himself came out of the Yajnya Kunda and blessed Daksha Prajapati, the Devas, the Sages and the others who had gathered. According to the puristic detail, even today we can find an ancient temple of “SWAYAMBHU DAKSHAHARA SOMESHWARA” who is self-manifesting deity of Lord Shiva in Hariharapura. It also know that before the current name of “Hariharapura”, this Kshetra was previously called “Kapalam”, a name indicative of Lord Shiva Sannidhya instead. Hariharapura, thus being the sacred land where Lord Shiva himself lives as Yajna Purusha, is considered a Yaga Bhoomi, a very auspicious and efficient place to perform Homas / Yajnas.

Ancient literature glorifies Hariharapura as a prominent Lakshmi Narasimha Kshetra. This is the place where Agastya Maharishi was blessed with the Pratyaksha Anugraham of Lord Sri LakshmiNrsimha Swamy. It is said that Agastya Maharishi, who arrived in the south after subduing to Vindhyachala, had performed penance in many places in southern India. In this holy Kshetra of Hariharapura, the sage performed a rigorous penance worshiping Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami. Thus, having been the Tapovanam of the great Sage Agastya, Hariharapura is also praised as a Tapo Bhoomi, the Land of Penance. The deity of Lakshmi Narasimha and Shalagrama worshipped by Agastya is still worshipped in the temple of Sharada Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy in Hariharapura.

Hariharapura Shankaracharya Dharmapeetam:

In addition to being a Yaga Bhoomi and Tapo Bhoomi, Hariharapura also became a Jnyaana Bhoomi with the arrival of Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Moved by the divine vibrations at this place, Sri Adi Shankaracharya consecrated the deity of Goddess Sri Sharada Parameswari with the installation of SriChakra. With the consecration of the Supreme Mother, Sri Adi Shankaracharya established a Dharmapeetam at this Kshetra. Thus came the renowned Adi Shankaracharya Sharada LakshmiNarasimha Peetam at Hariharapura.

During this time, a young Sage by name Krishna Yogeendra was performing penance at Hariharapura. Sri Krishna Yogeendra was a renowned scholar adept in the Veda Shastras and endowed with the divine qualities of peace, self control, compassion and mastery over all senses. Sri Adi Shankaracharya saw this young Yogi deeply absorbed in Tapasya. Immensely pleased with the unflinching sincerity and devotion of Krishna Yogeendra, Sri AdiShankaracharya blessed him and explained to him in detail about the greatness of this sacred Daksha Kshetra (Hariharapura). Sri Adi Shankaracharya also gave Mantra Deeksha to Krishna Yogeendra and directed him to perform Devi Pooja, worshipping Goddess Sharadambika.

Soon after this, Sri Sureshwaracharya, one of the direct disciples of Sri Adi Shankaracharya, visited Hariharapura. The Acharya gave Sanyasa Deeksha (initiation into Sanyasa) to Krishna Yogeendra with the title name “Sri Swayamprakasha Krishna Yogeendra Saraswathi”, and made Him the first Peetadhipathi of the renowned SRI ADI SHANKARACHARYA SHARADA LAKSHMI NARASIMHA PEETAM at Hariharapura.

From then on, Sreemath Hariharapura has been a prominent Shankaracharya Dharmapeetam, practicing and propagating Sanatana Dharma, under the divine leadership of the Acharyas adorning the Peetam as the Peetadhipathis. Being a Dharmapeetam directly established by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, Sreemath Hariharapura boasts a glorious history and heritage with a prestigious chain of Guruparampara. The Jagadgurus of this Dharmapeetam have been great Yogis and Tapasvis, who have transformed the lives of many, by spreading Dharma in every nook and corner of the society. In this illustrious line of Acharya Varyas, Sreemath Hariharapura is presently headed by its 25th Peetadhipathi – Srimajjagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Swayamprakasha Sachidananda Saraswathi Mahaswamiji.

Sharada Lakshmi Narasimha Peetam Poojas:

1) ASHTOTHARA – to All Deities
2) ASHTOTHARA THRISHATHI – to Sri Sharadambika
3) SAHASRANAMA – to All Deities
4) PANCHAMRUTHA ABHISHEKA – to All Deities
5) AKSHARABHYASA – to Sri Sharadambika
6) SANKASHTI POOJA – to Sri Ganapathi
7) RUDRABHISHEKA – to Sri Shiva
8) PAVAMANA ABHISHEKA – to All Deities
9) KALPAPOOJA – to All Deities
10) THULABARA – to Sri LakshmiNarasimha
11) BHIKSHAVANDANA – to Guru Seva
12) PADAPOOJA – to Guru Seva
13) SHRI CHAKRAPOOJA – Nithya Pooja performed by MahaSwamiji
14) SANKASHTI POOJA FOR ONE YEAR – to Sri Ganapathi
15) PADAPOOJA (SAHASRANAMA) – Guru Seva
16) VASTRA SAMARPANA – Guru Seva
17) SARVASEVA FOR ONE DAY – to All Dieties

How to Reach Sharada Lakshmi Narasimha Peetam:

By Air:
The Nearest Airports are Mangalore (125 km) Bangalore (321 kms) Sharada Lakshmi Narasimha Peetam/Hariharapura can be easily reached by road from both these airports.

By Rail:
Disembark at Shimoga if traveling from Bangalore. It’s a 3-hour bus trip from there. Disembark at Udupi or Mangalore by Konkan Rail, if traveling from Mumbai. It’s again a 3-hour drive from these cities.

By Road:
Bangalore is about 280 Kms and Mangalore is about 125 Kms from Hariharapura. Buses, private or state, run day and night with regular frequency from both these cities. There are also night sleeper buses operating from Bangalore to Hariharapura. Follow this route if you are driving from Bangalore – Kunigal – Chennaraya Patna – Hassan – Belur – Chikmagalur – Aldur – Balehonnur – Jayapura – Koppa – Hariharapura.

Sharada Lakshmi Narasimha Peetam Address:

SreeMath – Hariharapura:

Sree Math, Hariharapura-577120
Koppa Taluk, Chikmagalur Dist., Karnataka India
Phone: + (08265) 274458, +(91) 890 408 2221
e-mail: managersreemath@gmail.com, admhariharapura@gmail.com

Sreemath – Bangalore Branch:

Bhakthi Mandiram,
1370/M. Nehru Road,
4th Cross,
4th A Main,
Girinagar,
Bangalore-560085
Phone:+ (80) 2642-6116
e-mail: blr@hariharapura.in

Sreemath – USA Branch:

13940 N Dale Mabry Hwy,
Tampa,
Florida-33618
Phone:+1 (813) 857 3722
e-mail:raju@reliancecpa.com