Sringeri is situated on the banks of the River Tunga amidst the scenic Western Ghats. It is located at a distance of 336 Kms from Bangalore and 107 km from Mangalore through Karkala. Adi Sankaracharya established the first of the four peethas here.
Sringeri Mutt is known as Sringeri Sharda Peetham. Sharada Devi is the main deity in the Sharadamba temple, seated on a Chakra Peetham with a parrot perched on top of her hand and holding a Japa mala. Adi Shankaracharya had installed the original image of sandalwood and later on it was replaced with a golden image in 14th century. The mutt is in charge of the Yajur Veda. In South India Yajurveda is more prevalent. The head of the math is called Jagadguru (teacher of the world) and also carries the Shankaracharya name as a title.
Every Friday Sharada Devi is taken for a procession in a silver chariot around the temple.
When you enter the temple complex on the far side is the beautiful Vidyashankara temple, with a blend of Dravidian, Hoysala and Vijayanagar style architecture. It houses the vidyathirta linga. The temple was built in memory of Guru Vidyashankara in the 14th century with help Vijayanagar rulers. The twelve pillars in the Vidyashankar temple are popularly known as Rashistambhas (zodiacal pillars).
Symbols of the twelve divisions of the zodiac are engraved on these pillars.It is said that the design of the pillars involved certain astronomical concepts. For example, the first rays of the rising sun fall on specific pillars with the zodiacal symbol on the pillar corresponding to the position of the sun. Sankara Jayanti is celebrated here with a lot of pomp and show.
There are stone lions with stones in their mouth which can be rotated.
Sringeri flourished as a great learning center and many temples and mutt's were built. Many students came here to learn vedic philosophy.
Best Time to Visit:
Between October and March.
Festivals and Fairs
Sharada Navrathri festival is celebrated here for 11 Days. Sharada Devi is worshipped as Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati.
Temple Timings
Morning - 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Evening - 5:00 PM to 9.00 PM
How to get there
Air: Mangalore is the nearest Airport.
Rail : The nearest railway station is Birur on the Bangalore - Pune railroad.
Road: Sringeri is well-connected by a network of roads. There are buses to Sringeri from everywhere in Karnataka. Sringeri is 336 Kms from Bangalore and 107 km from Mangalore.
Where to Stay
Sringeri has guest houses run by the temple administration. You also have private lodges to stay.
Pallivi Lodge
Phone: (08265) 250625
Hotel Shubhodaya
Phone: (08265) 251167
Sringeri Mutt Guest House
Phone: (08265)250123/192
Also See:
