Sringeri Sharada Peetha is the southern Advaita Vedanta matha or monastery established by Adi Shankara in 8th century AD. The matha is on the banks of the Tunga River in Chikkamagalur district, Karnataka, India
Shrine’s History
Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada established the first of the four Amnaya Peethams1 at Sringeri more than twelve centuries ago to foster the sacred tradition of Sanatana Dharma. Hallowed for all times by Sage Rishyashringa who stayed and performed Tapas here, Sringeri attracted the great Acharya with a remarkable sight. Tradition has it that after the Acharya had dispersed all the non-Vedic creeds prevailing in the country, He was on the look-out for a convenient and holy place where he could establish an institution to spread the truths of Advaita Vedanta. When the Acharya came to Sringeri, he saw an unusual sight on the banks of the Tunga.
A cobra was seen spreading out its hood over a frog in labour pains, to give it a shadow from the scorching mid-day sun. Struck with the sanctity of the place, which could infuse love between natural adversaries, the Acharya chose this very location to establish His first Math.The Madhaviya Shankara Digvijayam describes that the Acharya came across many virtuous people at Sringeri and taught them the doctrine of Advaita. He then invoked the Divinity of Knowledge, Goddess Sharada and consecrated an icon of the Goddess. Thus the Peetham He founded at Sringeri in South India for fostering the Vedas and the sacred tradition of Sanatana Dharma came to be known as the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham.
The Acharya appointed his prime disciple, Sri Sureshwaracharya as the first Acharya of the Peetham. Since then, the Peetham has been blessed with an unbroken Guru Parampara, a garland of spiritual masters and Jivanmuktas representing Sri Adi Shankaracharya. The succeeding Acharyas have led a life of such austere penance that it has led disciples to adore in them the radiance of Sri Adi Shankara Himself. Besides being a centre of spiritual power, Sringeri also came to be known as a great place of traditional learning owing to the presence of Goddess Sharada and the erudition of the Acharyas of the Peetham.
The Acharyas were instrumental in bringing forth commentaries on the Vedas and in further expounding the Bhashyas of Sri Adi Shankaracharya. The Acharyas also wrote a number of independent works related to Advaita besides producing a number of hymns underlining their ardent devotion to the non-dual Supreme worshipped in multifarious forms. The Peetham thus came to be regarded as the Vyakhyana Simhasana, The Throne of Transcendental Wisdom. Consequently, the Birudavali hails the Acharya as the occupier of this throne. Many regard Goddess Sharada Herself to be moving in the form of the presiding Acharya of the Peetham. In the 14th century, royal patronage to the Peetham began with the founding of the famous Vijayanagar empire under the divine guidance of the 12th Acharya, Jagadguru Sri Vidyaranya.
The austerity of the Acharya influenced the rulers to such an extent that they began ruling in the name of the Acharya and granted the Peetham the rights over the secular administration of the land. At the rulers request, the Acharya began conducting a Durbar during the Navaratri festival ? an occasion deemed by the rulers to honour their Guru. Subsequently, the Acharya came to be known as the Karnataka Simhasana Prathisthapanacharya and the Peetham became a mighty institution ? a Samsthanam and is known to this day as the Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mahasamsthanam, Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham at Sringeri. Over the succeeding centuries, a number of empires and rulers including the Mysore Maharajahs Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, the Nizam of Hyderabad, the Peshwas and the Keladi rulers and Travancore Rajas were drawn towards the Peetham and respected the Acharya as their Guru.
Shrine’s Map Location and How to Go There
By Road
Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation Bus services are available to reach Sringeri from Bangalore, Mangalore, Udupi, Mysore, Shimoga, Chikmagalur, Dharmasthala, Kollur, Koppa etc. Taxis and private cars are also available from Bangalore, Mysore, Udupi, Shimoga etc.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is Udipi,which is 88 Kms away.
By Air
The closest airport to Sringeri is the Mangalore International Airport, which is a 98 Km drive away from Sringeri town.
Shrine Timings
6:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 9.00 PM
Events Celebrated at This Shrine
Navaratri festival is celebrated on a grand scale every year for 11 days with Shathachandi Homa Poornahuti performed on the Mahanavami day. On the Chaitra Shukla Poornima day, special Puja is performed in Sri Sharada Shrine. On Vaisaka Krishna Prathipath Mahabhishekam and special pooja is done for Sri Sharadambal. On Karthika Poornima day Deepotsava is conducted in Sri Sharada Shrine. On the Magha Shukla Panchami, Lalitha Panchami is celebrated with special Puja performed to Sri Sharadamba by the Jagadguru. On the Magha Krishna Dwithiya special Puja to Sri Sharadamba is performed by the Jagadguru. On the Magha Trithiya Sri Sharadamba Rathotsava is celebrated.