Sringeri Vidyashankara Temple Darshan Timings:
Morning: 6.00 am to 2.00 pm
Evening: 4.00 pm 9:15 pm
Sri Vidyashankara Temple Timings:
Morning: 7.00 am to 1.00 pm
Evening: 5.00 pm 8.30 pm
Sri Torana Ganapati Temple Timings:
Morning: 7.00 am to 1.00 pm
Evening: 5.00 pm 8.30 pm
Sri Malahaneekareswara Temple Timings:
Morning: 8.00 am to 12.00 Noon
Evening: 5.00 pm 8.00 pm
Other Temples inside the Sharada Matha Complex:
Morning: 8.30 am to 12.00 Noon
Evening: 5.00 pm 7.00 pm
Sri Jagadguru Darshan Timings:
Morning: 10:30 AM
Evening: 5:30 PM
Vidyashankara Temple at Sringeri, located amidst the scenic Sahyadri hills, on the left bank of the river Tungabhadra, in Chikmaglur District of Karnataka is a highly esteemed pilgrimage centre. The temple is considered to be the home to ‘Sarada Peetham’ established by the great saint and spiritual leader Aadi Sankaracharya about 1200 years ago. It is said that Aadi Sankaracharya himself had installed Idol of Goddess Sarada in this temple.
The Temple:
As per history, Vidyashankara Temple was built in memory of Guru Vidyashankara or Vidyathirtha by Vidyaranya with the assistance of the rulers of Vijayanagar during 14th century. It was in this temple that the saint Adi Sankaracharya established ‘Sarada Peetham’ and installed the image of Sarada with a Sri Chakra in front of her. From then onwards he began the Bharati Sampradaya to spread the philosophy of non-dualism. Because of the strong association of Adi Shankaracharya with this temple, it is also known as the ‘Shankaracharya Temple’.
The architecture of Vidyashankara Temple is a combination of the Hoysala and Dravida style. There is a splendidly sculptured basement with six doorways leading into the temple. The twelve pillars in the mandapam named the Raasi Pillars mark the 12 zodiac signs. Because of their unique arrangement, the sun rays fall on each of the pillars in the order of the solar months.
Each column has a large lion and each of them has a non removable rolling stone ball in its mouth. The sanctum has a circular shikhara. Walls have carved scenes from the puranas. Here Buddha is portrayed as one of the incarnations of Vishnu. The temple offers a fantastic view when seen from across the river.
Image of Goddess Sarada:
The original image of Goddess Sarada, which was installed by Adi Sankaracharya, was made of sandalwood. In the 14th century it was replaced with a golden image in which the Goddess is seen seated on the Sri Chakra Peetham carrying a Japa Mala with a parrot perched on the top of Her hand.
In the Vidyashankara Temple, there are shrines for Adi Shankara, Shakti Ganapati, Bhuvaneswari, Mahishasuramardini and Rajarajeswari. Also there are ruby images of Venugopala and Srinivasa in addition to a Nandi made out of a large pearl. Contributions made by the Vijayanagar emperors are inscribed in the temple.
Best Time to Visit:
Every Friday there is a procession of Saradamba in a silver chariot, when there will be an increased number of devotees. Largest number of devotees can be seen during the Navaratri Festival.
There are many other places of interest for devotees in and around Sringeri. Sringagiri hills is believed to be the birth place of Sage Rishyasringa. There is the Janardhana temple in which the image of Aadi Sankaracharya is worshipped.
Vidyashankara Temple / Sringeri Sharada Peetham Address:
Vidyashankara Temple,
Sringeri,
Chickmagalur District,
Karnataka – 577139.
Phone Numbers: 8265-250123, 250594, 250192
Fax Number: 8265-250792