Information of Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Chikmagalur, Karnataka

Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham at Sringeri is a famous ancient temple of Sharadamba Devi. It is located on the banks of Holy River named the Tunga, which is near Sringeri Town of Chickmagalur District of Karnataka state in south-India. This temple was found by the great saint of India, known as the Adhi Shankara. He placed the Sandalwood Idol of Devi Sharadhamba on this river bank and later it developed as an important pilgrim place. This temple is managed by the Adhi Shankara Math and is formed as a trust here conducting many social services.

Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham Religious Significance

Sri Sharada Devi is the goddess of wisdom. This temple was founded by Adhi Shankara and his teachings of the Vedic texts are still continuing here in its Math, a separate court yard built here for Vedic studies. Many devotees bring their new borne and school going children to get blessing from this wisdom goddess. This temple is worshiped by all sects of Hindus. There are daily poojas conducted here and special poojas and rituals are done on the special occasions. The Nava Rathri and the Vinayaka Chathurthi are the two important festivals celebrated here. The Navarathri is grandly celebrated for 9 days from its start. This festival is held here with lot of cultural activities. Many devotees come here to get blessing on these days. The Vinayaka Chathurthi is a one day festival and is celebrated with special poojas and rituals. Apart from these festivals, the Devi of this temple is taken in a palanquin of all Friday's of a week and goes around this temple. This is witnessed by its local peoples and many pilgrims do come here to see this event. Devi Sharadhamba is an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and Swaraswathi Devi; hence it attracts many children's and women devotees to this temple.

Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham Mythology & History

Somewhere in the 8th century, Sage Adhishankara was on the way to Tunga River. There he saw an unlikely incident with a snake and a frog. A snake was accommodating with its stretched hood's to a breeding frog which was in a scorching sun light. The snake was covering it like an umbrella. This made him very much impressed and he decide to build a temple for this blissful act. He built a small temple with a beautiful Sandal-Wood statue of Sharada Devi and stayed here by preaching the Vedic philosophies. In the 14th century AD the Vijaynagara Empire decided to make is a great temple and added few structures and reinstalled with a golden idol of Sharadhamba in a seated position over a throne. It is also believed that the golden idol was placed here since after the sandal wood statue was stolen from this temple and was unable to find it back over centuries.

Sri Sringeri Sharada Peetham Architectural Significance

Sri Sharada Temple was built in many phases of time. It has the Dravidian style on its Minarets. The Hosalya and Vijavanagar type of structures also found here. This temple is built in square shape and has a main entrance. This is a splendid one with a 3 storied Gopuram (Tower) with a mandapa (Porch) without pillars and standing on the grip of tower structure. Inside the structures are built up to single stories. There are many small complexes built here for serving the needs of this temple. The main idol is a golden statue. It is seen on a throne in a seated position. There are also few stone sculptors found here of its sub deities. The craftsmanship of this temple is very excellent to look on its stone and wooden works. A learning center is built here recently for the purpose of Vedic studies near the temple complex.