Sringeri Sharada Peetham !

District: Chikmagalur
Town : Sringeri
Temple : Sringeri Sharada Peetham

Sringeri Sharada Peetham – Overview

             Sringeri Math is located in Sringeri town in Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. Sringeri Sharada Peetham was established by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. It is set against the backdrop of the beautiful Malnad hills, on the banks of the Tunga River. This place is named after the great Rishi Rishyashringa. This matha is one of the Advaita centers of authority. It holds authority over the Yajur Veda, especially Krishna Yajur Veda among Smarthas, i.e., followers of the Advaita School.

Sringeri Sharada Peetham – History

The Sringeri Matha is mentioned in traditional sources like Shankara Vijaya. It is said that Sri Shankaracharya spent twelve years here. Before leaving for the North, Sri Shankara appointed his disciple Viswarupa as his successor, with the spiritual title of Suresvaracharya. The Sringeri matha has a recorded history from the 8th century onwards. The lineage of the gurus of this matha upto Vidyaranya is given in the Sri Guru Charitra, a 15th century Marathi work.

Sringeri Matha – Mythology

Sringeri derived its name from the ancient Shringa Giri, the name of a hill here that is believed to have housed the ashram of Sri Vibhandaka Maharishi and his son Sri Rishyashringa. Tradition has it that when Sri Shankaracharya was passing through here, he was captivated by an unusual sight. A cobra had reared up and spread its hood to shelter a spawning frog from the scorching sun. Sri Shankara was enchanted by the divinity of the place which made natural enemies help each other.

Saraswathi Devi, who was accompanying Sri Shankaracharya and his disciples in the form of a young girl called Bharathi, stayed on in the spot as Sharada Devi. Sri Shankaracharya established a matha here and it came to be known as Sri Sharada Peetham, the seat of Sharada Devi.

How to Get to Sringeri Sharada Peetham ?

The nearest airport is located in the city of Mangalore and Shimoga and Kadur are the nearest railheads. Bus services are available from most places in Karnataka to Sringeri.