Sringeri Sharadamba Temple

Sringeri Sharadamba Temple
ಶೃಂಗೇರಿ ಶಾರದಾಂಬೆ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ
Entrance of Sharadamba Temple
Religion
Affiliation	Hinduism
District	Chikkamagaluru
Deity	Sharadamba (Saraswati)
Location
Location	Sringeri
State	Karnataka
Country	India
Geographic coordinates	13.418°N 75.252°E / 13.418; 75.252
Architecture
Type	South Indian
Creator	Adi Shankara

Sri Sharadamba Temple (ಶೃಂಗೇರಿ ಶಾರದಾಂಬೆ) is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Sharadamba in the holy town of Sringeri in Karnataka, India. It is located next to the Tunga river.

The Sharadamba Temple at Sringeri 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. The other four are located in Dwarka (West), Puri (East) and Jyotirmath (North).

Legend

Sringeri was initially called Shringagiri until the name gradually corrupted to Sringeri. A hagiographic legend states that Sri Adi Shankara, during His travels across India, witnessed a snake unveiling its hood like an umbrella to shield a pregnant frog from the hot sun on the banks of the river Tunga in Sringeri. Deducing that non-violence amongst natural predators was innate to a holy spot, Sri Adi Shankara decided to establish His first Peetham in Sringeri. Sringeri is independently associated with Sage Rishyasringa of Ramayana fame, son of Sage Vibhandaka. As per Hindu legend, the place is associated with sage Rishyasringa, son of Vibhandakamuni. He did severe penance at this place for Goddess Saraswati, who had appeared on Earth at this very spot, which gave her the other name Ubhaya Bharathi. The penance led to the name Sringeri. Adi Shankara initially consecrated the original Sharadamba temple by making a sandalwood idol of the goddess. The temple was renovated during the regime of Vijayanagara Empire during the 14th and 16th centuries and later during 1916. During this renovation, the current golden idol of Sharadamba was installed by the king and the then Jagadguru (Peethadishwar) of the monastery. The original idol can still be seen in the Vidyashankara temple, adjacent to the Sharadamba shrine. It is also believed that Goddess Saraswati had appeared on Earth at this very spot, which gave her the other name Ubhaya Bharathi.

Shringeri Sharada Suprabhatha

The Shringeri Sharada Suprabhatha was adopted by the Shringeri Mutt in the late 1970s by Shrimad Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyatirtha Swamiji. The very famous Sree Sharada Suprabhata Stotram was composed by Veda Brahma Turuvekere Subrahmanya Vishweshwara Dikshith (also known as Sri. T. S. Vishweshwara Dikshith) for the awakening of Goddess Sharadamba every morning.

Significance of the Sringeri Temple

It is believed that Lord Shiva gifted the holy crystal Chandramouleeshwara Linga to Sri Adi Shankaracharya. The Linga can still be seen and the Chandramouleeshwara Pooja is performed for the Linga every day night at 8:30 PM by the Jagadgurus of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, Shrimad Jagadguru Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam and Shrimad Jagadguru Sri Vidhushekhara Bharati Sannidhanam at Guru Nivas, Narasimha Vanam. It is believed that Goddess Sharadambika is the incarnation of Goddess Saraswati, who came to Earth as Ubhaya Bharathi. It is a common faith that by worshipping her, one can receive blessings of Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu along with Parvati, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. The ritual of Aksharabhyasa (initiation of little children into literacy) performed here is considered to be sacred and fulfilling. The parents of kids between the ages of 2-5 are given a slate and chalk or a plate of rice on which they pray to Goddess Saraswati and the Guru to impart good knowledge and education to their children.

Temples in Sringeri

There are over 40 temples in Sringeri. Important ones are the Malahanikareshwara Temple on a small hillock called as Mallappa Betta. This is built on Dravidian style. There is one Bhavani Temple, SthamBha Ganapati (Ganesha on the pillar). One of the best examples of temple architecture can be found in Sri Vidyashankara Temple which is next to Sri Sharadamba Temple. Janardhana Temple, Harihara Temple, Vidya Shankara Temple, Torana Ganapathi, Shankara Hill, Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada Sannidhi, Brindavanams of past Jagadgurus at the Narasimha Vana and Guru Nivas at the Narasimha Vana are worth visiting. Kalabhairava Temple to the East, Durga Temple in the South, Anjaneya Temple to the West and Kali Temple to the North of Sringeri are also a few important temples.