Sharada Temple Sringeri
The Sharada Temple (or Sharadamba temple), also renowned as Sringeri Math, is the most prominent spot in Sringeri. The presiding deity of Sringeri, Sri Saradamba, is revered as the embodiment of Goddess Saraswati. The temple is associated with the Sringeri Mutt. Goddess Sarada is seated on the "Sri Yantra", carrying the rosary, vessel and book in three hands with the fourth hand held in a gesture of protection. There are two smaller idols, the utsava murthis, one in silver and the other in bronze.
The temple was established in 7th century by Sri Adi Shankaracharya which is dedicated to Goddess Sharada, also associated as Goddess of learning. The Sharadamba temple is over 700 years old and was built at almost the same time as the Sharada Mutt. The temple since then has undergone several renovations and the present renovated temple is in the south Indian (Dravidian) architectural style.
Earlier the original deity was of sandal wood and was later replaced with the stone idol. The grace of the Goddess Sarada is of the Supreme Absolute. Magnificent in alankara of matchless beauty with Her pleated sari, her glowing diamond nose-ring and the divine smile, it is the sight to behold. It surely illuminates the soul within. At the time of closing the temple at night, the Utsavamurti is taken in a procession around the sanctum, in a silver chariot. This grand ceremony is a real treat to one s eyes and soul that is not to be missed.
Besides the Sharadamba temple, thousands of devotees also visit the Malayala Brahma Temple and the Adi Shankar Temple in the same premises.
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.
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